I'm in a hurried discussion with my publisher about what to call a particular project in my upcoming book. I'm popping back in today to pose a question to all of you and I'm hoping you can help Michelle (the publisher) and me.
The said project will be in my new book about sunflowers that you can knit and crochet. One of the projects is a sunflower made into a decoration for your clothing. I called it a brooch but Michelle isn't sure Americans are comfortable with the term. I guess I have also called it a pin because now I have her totally confused. For me, the terms are interchangeable but we aren't sure that this is true with the majority if brooch/pin wearing women.
The brooch?/pin? is similar but quite different too from this one from my Zinnias and Sunflower Pattern.....
And this brooch?/pin? from Olympia's Felted Flowers Pattern.....
So what do you call adornments such as this?
A brooch?
OR
A pin?
One lucky reader will receive 2 balls of my new Color By Kristin Yarn which they can use to make brooches or pins for holiday gift giving.
Find the patterns on my website here or on Ravelry (you'll have to search for them because the links that they give me are not working!). They are great little quick knits.
Michelle (who works for the publisher) and I thank you! Leave your answer in the comments section and make sure you leave an easy way to get a hold of you so that if you win, I can send you the yarn! Contest ends Friday evening October 5th at 11:59 p.m.
101 comments:
I've always called something similar to this a brooch... that is pinned on. I was born & raised "here" and while some try to place my accent as "near London", the best I've figured out is that it's from my early years of vocal training...
for my (perhaps bizarre) usage, a pin is something that would hold an item securely fastened (such as a kilt pin) or on (such as a hat pin). I haven't figured out what to call the items I use to keep shawls attached to me and configured how I want.
Hope that helps.
Don't know if it's geographic, cultural or just ideosyncratic, but I call this a beautiful pin!
~ hello Kristin,
I prefer the term brooch, for something decorative that is worn, especially when it is handmade.
An adornment deserves a classier name that just pin.
I agree with the idea that pin refers to anything that uses a safety pin or straight pin to hold something together, not necessarily decorative in nature.
I guess I am also sentimental about this for my Nana would have also used brooch, as well as my dear British HouseMother at my U.S. boarding high school in Mass, Stoneleigh-Burnham School.
Best,
Shell~
YarnSoup@yahoo.com
Absolutely a brooch. A pin is a little understated thing.
I'd call it a brooch. I generally consider pins smaller and more functional while brooches are larger and more decorative. Tho there's certainly a lot of overlap and I wouldn't call either incorrect. I'm a lot of help, aren't I?
I agree with the previous posts. I grew up in NJ and have lived in five other states. I'd call it a brooch. I'd understand what you meant if you said pin, but pin could mean other fasteners such as a shawl pin. Brooch is the kind of pin that is mostly ornamental in my mind.
A pin definately.
I'm leaning towards brooch...it seems more formal. A 'pin' brings to mind something smaller. BTW I've got all your felty flowery patterns and love them! Anne (annegp at Ravelry)
It's a brooch to me...highly ornamental and lovely but not necessarily functional. The pin is the functioning part that affixes it to your clothing, right?! :)
I would call yours a brooch. It would be adorned for beautification purposes.
I consider a pin a metal button-type object with a pin (sometimes built right in) on the back. I have some and I don't wear them for beautification as much as for advertising (my values (as in "Hug a Tree"), a company (as in "Knitty.com"), politics, etc.
More detail than you wanted to know I'm sure.
Hmm... For the large pink flower, I've always been under the impression that brooches are (generally) bigger than pins, so if I had to pick one of those terms for it, I would pick "brooch". But that said... Neither.
Both brooches and pins are usually worn on the side of a shirt, not in the middle like a bow-tie, no? I would probably make up a catchy name or something instead, if you intended to market it in that location...
The smaller blue one could probably go either way. I'm guessing its smaller than it looks in the picture? If so, definitely pin.
(I've lived all over lower NY, so I have a slightly more limited perspective than some. :P)
Forgot to label the anonymous comment above -
~tearsong :)
It must be a brooch. Much too stunning to be a simple pin. - Wish I had seen the sample at the farm last week, but understand that book is not yet out. I shall look at Ravelry and wait patiently for book.
I would call it a brooch. Whe I think of a pin I think of an inexpensice, more dsposable item, ie a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" or a school club pin
Paula
p_calestagneATThotmail.com
I call it a pin!
Thanks for the giveaway!
How about just "embellishment"? It could be a brooch, or use to embellish a hat, purse...a lot of things.
(sorry i had a typo in my first attempt)
To me, Brooch has the feeling of large and Pin of small.
(By the way your links to the patterns are coded incorrectly and aren't going where you want them to.)
I vote brooch.
I would call it a brooch! I'd make one in a deep autumnal red, and I would pin it onto one of my felt hats.
What about a new name all together. Call it "A pop" it will mean a pop of color or texture that makes an outfit. It can easily be tranferred from your coat to your heavy sweater, to a scarf as a closure. A pop will become part of our language and you will have developed a new phrase for the fashion conscious.
patty
Brooch is what I would say.
I think brooch is more old fashioned and pin a little newer and more utilitarian. Given that, I think the terms are completely interchangeable! Maybe I should run for elected office....
I would say brooch. I just love the sunflower!
I would call it a flower pin.
~Laura E
I would say brooch. I find it odd that any "American" would not know what a brooch was.
I always prefer the term 'brooch' over 'pin', but I'd call these wearable flowers.
It's definitely a brooch and a very beautiful one too. A pin is something you use to temporarily join two pieces of fabric before stitching them together :)
I call it a stunning pin!
www.LapdogCreations.com
BROOCH! -- And if Your "AMERICAN" Readers are clueless, then they should "look it up"! -- Besides, "BROOCH" is also a Classier word...
"PINS" are more on the small "head" and more "pin" part showing side. Straight and pointy.
While a "BROOCH" is usually larger and ornately covers most of the "pin" part, which is only there to "secure" it.
Unless of course, the Object in question is for a "GUY", then whatever IT is, IT's called a "PIN" - sounds more "manly"! ;)
Definitely a brooch. Pins are just those little round metal disks with slogans or pictures. Brooches are wearable art.
Now I have to make one, now that winter is coming I will be wearing things that a brooch would totally work with.
I'm with the Brooch=Handmade girls.....to me it is absolutely a brooch, and a lovely one at that! :)
I encourage you to expand your readers' vocabularies, so I'm all for BROOCH. And, by the way, your BROOCHES are beautiful!
Hi Kristin
Writing from the UK, I would call it a brooch. A pin to me is what we in the UK call a badge.
trixiebacon on Ravelry
I would say it's a pin. Thanks!
Hi Kristin,
How about going down a different path and calling it a "Bijou." Webster defines it as "a small, dainty usually ornamental piece of delicate workmanship."
KathS on Ravelry
I refer to the ornamental items in my jewelry box as 'pins' - but I would know what you meant if you refered to a 'brooch' - to me, they are interchangeable.
(One who grew up in Pennsylvania and lives in Michigan...)
RobinV on Ravelry
Hi Kristin - I'd call it a "Flower Pin" but only because brooch is not a word most women use anymore. If I asked a salesperson in a store, I'd go, "Can you tell me where the pins are? You know, like a lapel pin? If I asked for a "brooch", I think I'd get a blank stare. :) Karen
This is definitely a brooch. No doubt about it!
Brooch ... no question.
I don't think the term matters all that much. I think most readers would recognize both "brooch" and "pin" and know what was meant. I personally use brooch, though, just because I think it's a more fun sounding word. :)
So looking forward to your sunflower book!
I'm from Texas; that being said, I personally would call it a brooch. In my experience, a brooch/broach is a highly decorative accent that pins onto an outfit whereas a pin is much less decorative and more functional.
Brooch is a much "classier" word - I'd call it a brooch!
I'd call it a flower pin. Whatever the language majors think to name it, it is absolutely beautiful.
I would call that a brooch. Pins tended to be smaller. At least that is how I grew up hearing the terms assigned. I think brooch will be an attention getting word:)
I would call it a pin. When I think of a brooch I see jewels,bling, and something old. I think more "young" people relate to "pin".
Patty
pclark204@comcast.net
I've always considered a pin as a small brooch and a brooch being about the size of or larger than a silver dollar. I seem to recall reading that in one of my mother's WWII era "ladies books" which also described using an eyebrow pencil to draw the stocking seam up your leg. Sort of dated? Sure, but so am I.
This New Hampshire girl feels more comfortable with the word "pin".
k.freshour@comcast.net
I too would call it a brooch due to its size and colorfulness!
Absolutely a brooch! Pins are those round things with a candidate's face on it, or cute sayings. Your creations are so decorative.......definitely brooch.
I'm very comfortable with the term "brooch." Wonder if it is regional - I'm in New England.
They are beautiful!!
I would call it a brooch. I also think this word works with the design much better than pin.
greyowl60 at yahoo dot com
Brooch -- it's too big for a pin.
Sarah
Neither really describes the awesomeness of these CORSAGES..."Kristin's Corsages" ?- Jules
It's a "brooch" and it seems to me that most Americans, even younger types, know the word. Since we are giving geographic bona fides I've lived in downstate Illinois, central Pennsylvania, and metropolitan Colorado.
I recommend brooch because the term to me signifies something decorative and substantial.
I would likely call it a pin because I always stutter over the pronunciation of brooch :-)
Pin is what you do to a brooch. I do like embellishment - then it could be worn anywhere. But if it is between pin and brooch, brooch is where I would go.
I would call it a pin . . . 'brooch' just seems so Betty Davis somehow!
I would call it a corsage, myself, but brooch would be a close second.
I agree with you--I think brooch and pin are interchangeable. The difference is that a brooch is feminine, whereas a pin can be unisex (e.g., men wear lapel pins). Brooches are usually fancier than pins, and larger. I lean towards calling your flower pin a pin.
FYI, Nordstrom says that brooches are on trend:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/brooch-video?origin=footer-promo
The category is "Pins and Brooches" on their website, and the terms are relatively interchangeable there, too.
Definitely a brooch. Much too pretty to be a pin!
We grew up calling them either brooch or pin (this is farmland Iowa). I think that when I hear "brooch" I tend to think of something a bit bigger or fancier and a "pin" is a bit smaller. But I certainly would understand what you mean, whichever you called it.
Call me old-fashioned but this is most definitely a brooch.
My feeling for the beautiful flower is to call it an adornment. Pin and brooch don't do justice to the lovely!!
A jeweled sun brooch was called a "Sunburst" according to my online dictionary.......these should be "FlowerBurst" brooches.
Burst! Love that.
Sunburst. Mumburst. Gladburst..on and on....
For descriptive purposes, however, "brooch" carries it.
Ana
anahuron@gmail.com
Pin. My mom wore big beautiful pins and that's what everyone called them where I grew up in Ohio. I live in the Pacific NW now, and "pin" is still the word I hear the most and what I call them when I wear them. I just knitted several pins for a gift, some quite large, for a 20 year old who would definitely call them pins. I didn't know how to pronounce "brooch" for a long time because I had only read the word. Then someone told me it rhymes with "roach"! Good luck!
AnnEdith on Ravelry
I would call it a pin. To me, a brooch is old fashioned, large, and made of metal with jewels or stones.
I would go with brooch...pins to me are usually small. Also brooches are "in" according to the fashion magazines. When I hear brooch I think vintage, beautiful adornments....perfect for your designs.
It's a "brooch"-- so much more classy and artful than a "pin"!
Love it, love it, love it.
Ditetre on Rav
Definately a "Brooch" :)
I think "pin" just doesn't do it justice. Very cute!!
As a technical editor, I was compelled to do a little research to see if i could find an answer. Both a brooch and a pin hold things together, but a brooch has a pin on the back of it and is often used as a closure or decorative item at or near the neckline. Your project looks to qualify as a brooch.
Hope that helps.
Laurie (rav ID: sewbaker)
Why don't you call it a Brooch Pin? After all, that's the name of the thingy that's sewn onto the back of a flower to make it into a brooch (or a pin)!!!
My Vote is for brooch. It's just to big of a statement piece to be called a pin.
ashefamily@yahoo.com
While I would recognize it if called a pin for me something this beautiful will always be a brooch!! I too have your flower patterns and love them.
Pam H
I like the brooch better than pin. Given the size and artfulness, it describes the project better to me.
Boy, I can't wait for the new book!
Robin
minnknitter on Ravelry
I would call it a brooch. I looked up the definition and found "an ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin or clasp". One on the synonyms was "breastpin". Yikes! I think we'll skip that one.
Love it but I like either pin or brooch although I think brooch as being something old looking . Linda Gerig
They're blooming beautiful brooches (or beautiful blooming brooches) depending upon where you live.
Brooch, definately!
Cpmigda@aol.com
Definitely a brooch. Which is (ahem) An ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch.
Also, something this unique deserves a ump up in the label category. Well done there, Kristin.
Call it a brooch! Pin is so common. Brooch is a much more elegant word and fits your creations well.
flgirl1987 AT yahoo DOT com
I'd call it a "Pin". Brooch has always meant jewelry to me. A Pin is an accessory.
Hi Kristin,
To me, a brooch is a fancier or more expensive (jewels, precious metals) piece of jewelry while a pin is a more whimsical, less expensive piece.
I make some jewelry for friends and have run into the same "names" problem.
For example, I call my felt and beaded Saint Lucia wreath a "pin" but I also call my engraved lapel gold piece a "brooch."
Good Luck with your choice!
Humbledaisy (my Ravelry name)
it's a corsage!
bjjiminy@aol.com (Barb)
Over 50 Brooch, under a pin, but for me I think you should use both with a "/" between the two words
Fracksmom on Ravelry
I'm American and to me its a brooch. A pin is metal and a brooch can be many different things.
I am SO enjoying your blog,
lisa j
lisaj on ravelry
I create beaded flowers and call them brooches. A brooch harkens back to the days when a lady never left the house without one on her shoulder.
Can't believe that no one seems to have said this yet, but...I am glad you broached this subject! ;)
OK, that's out of the way. I agree with Robin V. "I refer to the ornamental items in my jewelry box as 'pins' - but I would know what you meant if you refered to a 'brooch' - to me, they are interchangeable." I would say that brooch is a word I read, and pin is the word I use. Finally, if it makes any difference, I am from Oregon, as was my mother (b. 1925)
I think I have to go with pin. Although someone said embellishment, which I also think is applicable. When I hear brooch, I picture an old piece of jewelry with lots of gems on it. Madeleine Abright has a wonderful book about the pins she wears...and some of them are quite large. It's called Read My Pins.
A pin connotes something simpler. I would call your lovely felted flowers a brooch
To me, the pin behind it (that attaches to the garment) is a pin and the whole is a brooch. Lovely by any name!
I'm a transplanted Midwesterner who understands both terms and thinks the picture is most important! The terms overlap but create different feelings. A pin is more practical, can include little buttons with sayings on them, while a brooch is of greater consequence. Grandma wore a brooch when she dressed up. The good news: you can't make a wrong decision here.
I would go with brooch but as someone said earlier, you really can't go wrong with either pin or brooch. Either way your flowers are fun!
Oooohhh Brooch! To me (as has been stated) it gives it more importance! A pin you buy and wear-a brooch you make or buy and treasure-even pass on to your children :)
Have a happy sunflower day! ( mine froze this Thursday )
Oooohhh Brooch! To me (as has been stated) it gives it more importance! A pin you buy and wear-a brooch you make or buy and treasure-even pass on to your children :)
Have a happy sunflower day! ( mine froze this Thursday )
Whoops sorry -double post and forgot my Rav ID: ettennA
Brooch because pin has so many other meanings, like safety pin, straight pin, pin on pinterest, etc.
And I love the sheep photos a bit farther down the blog . . .
teresaknits
I go with pin but truly would call it an emblishment. Just me...
i would call it a brooch but i think it would get more hits as a pin.
Your knitting sample look great! I've never really quite got my knitting skills from my mom and it really took so much time, and picking up knitting means dropping something else I love! So I just stop but you're tempting me to try again! :)
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