Our Prime Minister Knits - So What?

I'm getting on my political hobby horse.

I have been increasingly disgusted at the media treatment today of Julia Gillard the Australian Prime Minister and her decision to do a story for the Australian Women's Weekly that showed her knitting. Not only knitting but knitting a toy kangaroo for the new English Royal baby, Will and Kate's soon to be born little heir to the Australian (and English) throne. Apparently according to media and political commentary, it is impossible to be both a feminist and knit. This photo clearly demonstrates Julia's lack of intelligence as "Smart women don't knit!" And apparently deciding to be photographed knitting is tantamount to political suicide. Oh and there is a strong conspiracy theory running that the photo is a giant set up and Julia clearly can't knit as she is holding either her yarn or her needles or both all wrong! According to her political opponents she is clearly Madame Defarge, knitting while (political) heads roll and has lowered the office of Prime Minister to new depths.

Julia Gillard in the Australian Women's Weekly Photo: Australian Women's Weekly - Grant Matthews

It makes me cringe at the state of political debate in this country. It makes me despair at the level of esteem in which knitters are held. I wonder what would have been said if a male Prime Minister had been shown knitting? (Strike that, the Australian media would have been questioning his sexuality). As a smart women who knits (Hey, I'm an academic) I feel insulted by implication by the media furor this has kicked up.

Julia Gillard in the Australian Women's Weekly Photo: Australian Women's Weekly - Grant Matthews

I can offer evidence that refutes the assertion that Julia was purely stunt knitting. It's not the first time we Aussie knitters have learned that or prime minster likes knitting. On World Wide Knit in Public Day this year Julia tweeted "Happy World Wide Knit in Public Day #WWKIP JG" with a photo of her knitting. She looks happy.

What I'm questioning is her choice of knitted item for the royal baby. The knitted Kangaroo has to be the creepiest portrayal of an Aussie wildlife icon ever perpetuated. I've given you some examples of the vintage kangaroo and baby joey combo from the 1950s / 1950s. I hope this is not what Julia was knitting. It will give the Royal Baby nightmares.

Made by Dominant hands. Pattern from 1950's Beehive Toys and Novelties pattern book

Here's my contributions from my own extensive library of bad toy patterns.

A classic Aussie Boxing kangaroo: from Australian Family Circle: Storybook Dolls and Toys (Late 1980s - early 90s)

Or a really scary blue kangaroo? The construction of this one is kind of cool. It is made from a series of grater stitch squares.

From The Australian Women's Weekly: Knit a square and make a toy by Norma Campbell 1999

So I'm opening it up to you. Let's debate the really important things here.
Should our Prime Minister cop so much flack for being a proud knitter? (Are media really just saying knitting isn't important / is a granny hobby?)
What would you knit for the Kate and Will's new Royal baby?
Is there, in fact, such a thing as a cute knitted kangaroo? (I'd love to see evidence).