For many years I have worked to develop survival skills -- the ability to do whatever I could to survive and even thrive if I were to run off and live in the boonies. Along with the other skills noted in this part of my brain (e.g. cooking, and growing food) these are some of the luddite skills I have picked up along the way.

Firecraft. I don't always get it right, but I understand the principles in building and starting a fire. This of course assumes I have matches to start the fire! I also recommend learning how to properly chop wood and kindling.

Improvisation. This is probably the king of all luddite skills -- I would actually say it is a basic life skill, but like common sense seems to be severely lacking in our society. Improvisation may mean that I rig up a makeshift clothesline from whatever rope I have available, or it may mean substituting what I have in the fridge for what a recipe calls for. Improvising is as much about "making do" with what one has as it is about finding new uses for things.

Knitting. OK, so it took me a long time to learn and I am really slow.. but I can knit a mean slipper. I have been working on a blanket -- one square at a time from leftover wool -- which I might finish before I turn 50. If I had to, I am sure I could knit enough socks, mitts, hats and scarves to keep my extremities warm!
In the spring of 2005, after a lot of trial and error, I created a very simple pattern I call "Cheryl's Cuppa' Joe Cozy."

Mathematics I may have been in one of the last generations to be taught mathematics longhand in school. Most people shudder at the thought of doing long division without a calculator or even adding a column of numbers. It may take a bit longer but it is sure handy to double-check a tally. More important, when I took plumbing (see below) my knowledge of algebra and geometry allowed me to easily calculate the length of pipe I needed to be run with the correct grade. I even ended up tutoring many of my classmates.

Paper-making. I made all the paper for our wedding invitations by pulping things like Visa statements. I highly reccomend learning this skill as it is eco-friendly, cathartic and artistic all in one. I started with a kit, but it would be easy enough to build a screen from an old pair of nylons and some scrap wood.

Plumbing. I took entry-level plumbing at college -- 2 years after finishing my B.A. -- with the idea of going into it as a trade. I didn't apprentice, but now I have no problem replacing leaky faucets or plumbing a connection for a washing machine or dishwasher. An added bonus was the basic framing, electrical and welding we were taught (apparently I am a natural at welding).

What the heck is a luddite skill?

Luddites were a group who morally and philosophically opposed and protested the industrial revolution; neo-luddites are similarly opposed to various technological advances in recent decades.

To me, luddite skills fall into two categories: those things that people can do without modern technology and also those skills which tend to be passed down through generations or lend themselves to apprenticeships. To some extent luddite skills are also survival skills.