InfoKnit

Group 2:
The Information Behavior Model of
Knitters
 Knitters knit to:

• Avoid idle time

• Stave off loneliness
• Link to other generations
• Accomplish something.

“Purls of wisdom: A collectivist study of human information behavior in a public

library knitting group,” Journal of Documentation, by Elena Prigoda, and Pamela
McKenzie
 Knitting can be social
• Form groups in relation to a textile
object

• Share knitting and other information

• Offer support

• “Friendship with strangers”

• Give to others or charity

Knitter filters

• Caring Caring / sharing

• Sharing
Knitter
• Creativity knitting

• Knowledge Creativity / Knowledge

 Seeking information Caring / sharing

Half of the picture

Knitter
knitting

Creativity /
Knowledge

INFO NEED

• A mix of Bates’ berry picking

RESOURCES:
• And Dervin’s sense making Online
Print
Physical items
 Sharing information
• With knitters in groups, online
• Craft related Caring /
sharing
• Other Knitter
INFO NEED
knitting
Creativity /
Knowledge

Sharing of knitting and

non-knitting info
WITHOUT INFO NEED
INFO NEED

Caring /
sharing
RESOURCES:
Other
Online Knitters
Print
Physical items
Creativity
knowledge
 Caring /
sharing
INFO NEED
Textile
piece
Knitter
knitting
Creativity /
Knowledge

Sharing of knitting and

non-knitting info
WITHOUT INFO NEED
INFO NEED

Caring /
sharing
RESOURCES:
Other
Online Knitters
Print
Physical items
Creativity
knowledge

FINISHED
PRODUCT

Model developed by team; graphics by Erin Ziegenfuss

 Women in prison knitting

Washington Corrections Center for Women photo

• Meeting with volunteers

• Knitting for charity
• Sharing of information prevalent
 Questions to ponder
• Although Leckie-Pettigrew’s model is
designed for professionals, would it apply
to our crafters? If so, explain.

• Savolainen studied the everyday life for

his model, would it apply to knitters?
Which Mastery of Life type would apply to
our group?

Photos by Sue Castelin