Manual Work in an Era of Making

Roughly half of my job as a handknits designer entails working with my hands. In spite of this, I never took the time to consider how much I relied on manual work professionally, until I damaged my right hand repeatedly in the course of this past year. First came an accidental burn to my index finger. Then just as that healed, I grazed my thumb with a knife whilst slicing vegetables. And not long after that, I sprained my wrist by twisting awkwardly whilst doing ‘dead hangs’ at the gym. I am not normally this accident prone, and perhaps it was just one of those things that comes in threes. Nevertheless, it did mean that I had to slow my rate of production, shift some deadlines around, and replace the hands-on tasks with less straining ones.

And this in turn made me hyper-aware, that while working with my hands is a crucial part of my job, it is ultimately a choice. Which in itself carries all sorts of implications.

It is not customary today, to describe artisanal lines of work as manual labour. Rather, the term ‘making’ is used.

Out of interest, I asked several of my colleagues why they prefer the word making, to manual work, or manual labour. The answers were long and varied, and resulted in some interesting discussions. One common theme was possession of skill, and particularly of unique, rare, or valuable skill - with only those who hold such skills considered makers. Another theme was that of approach. While manual labour suggests a sort of genericism, even indifference, making involves dedication to a specific craft. Making is a calling. But the most recurring theme of all was that of intentionality. Making is thoughtful. Making is aware. Making is more than work - it is an educated, perhaps even a political act. It is choosing to create despite other income-generating options, because one sees value in doing so.

The definition of manual labour, however, does not distinguish between skill, craft-specific dedication, and intentionality. It does not distinguish between an intellectualised choice to create artisanal objects, versus working with one’s hands out of necessity and lack of other options. It does not distinguish between picking up a shovel, a brazing torch, or a set of knitting needles. It does not distinguish between the monetary or cultural value of the things being made or worked on.

Defined as ‘physical work done by hand, or using basic hand-held implements, unassisted by machines,’ manual labour very much encompasses what we call making today, rather than being separate from it.

When I point this out in one of the discussions, I get pushback.

‘Would you consider surgeons manual workers then?’

Actually I would. Moreover, so did society at large, until fairly recently (in historical terms). While considered essential, doctoring was not viewed as a ‘respectable’ profession in the western world until the 19th century approximately, precisely due to its hands-on aspect. The hands-on stigma as it were.

And with this I think we get to the core of the real issue at play. Because it feels as if the subtext to all the conversations on this topic, is that ‘making,’ like medicine, is a high-brow, elevated act. And that perhaps in using this term, we simultaneously romanticise manual work and distance ourselves from its less romantic aspects.

I do not write all this with intent to ‘expose’ this discrepancy, all the while positioning myself as someone who is above it. I include myself in this line of inquiry. While it never felt natural to identify with the terms ‘maker’ or ‘making,’ neither do I describe myself (or think of myself for that matter) as a manual worker. The truth is, I have not given this very much thought until recently. Which is odd, considering that I work with my hands.

As an individual with professional degrees and multiple career options, I am aware that choosing an artisanal line of work is a lifestyle choice and a privilege. And indeed it feels like a privilege to me, to work with my hands. I enjoy my work and feel dedicated to it. My job satisfaction is higher than it was in my previous, academic career, as is my quality of life. But despite the intentionality, the privilege, the enjoyment, and the intellectualising behind it, it is simply a statement of fact that what I do is manual work.

How we think of that on a cultural and political level may change with the times. But the hands and the work are indisputable.