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ashleylynne920's review
4.0
This book brought me so much joy. I don't typically love essay anthologies, but as a knitter I found myself declaring that each new one I read was now my favorite.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
aksharpes's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
laurenleigh's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is an essay collection by writers who have some connection to knitting. My mom gifted it to me years ago, but I’m glad I chose to finally read it now. It was so sweet and a truly enjoyable read. I happen to be currently teaching a young girl how to knit, and reading about other people learning was a great reminder. What comes so naturally to my hands is a foreign procedure to newbies. This book seemingly unlocked some memories of my own: teaching myself how to knit, alone with a book in my elementary school library. Don’t know how I did it pre-YouTube! My favorite story by far was about a man who knits sweaters for his chihuahua. (I actually burst into happy tears while reading that one!). I discovered some great new writers, along with a renewed appreciation for the craft of knitting.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
empressofeverything's review
1.0
This is a book of essays and I HATE books of essays. Soooo yeah. DNF.
anastaciaknits's review
4.0
Anyone who has read more than one of my reviews before knows I'm a crafter and more specifically a knitter and crocheter, and anyone who follows my blog knows I try to review a wide variety of crafting books, so naturally I jumped at the chance.
There's a few similar books out there, a collection of short stories with the common theme of knitting in all the stories. The difference is this collection includes more famous people, like Barbara Kingsolver, Sue Grafton, and Anne Shayne (of Mason Dixon fame). Like any short story collection, some are better than others - my least favorite was about a guy who kept talking about how he didn't knit but yet his story somehow involves knitting anyway. He just kept talking about how he didn't knit, like he was insulting the craft and those who love it. But that's the great thing about short story collections, you spend a few minutes reading a story you don't like, you move on to the next one that you do like.
There's also a few patterns included in the book, which in books like this I always figure they include solely as a way of selling more books (you know, people who enjoy reading will read this book, and people who just want patterns will buy this book, so you get twice as many sales). You have no idea what the patterns look like because you have to go online to see photos - I hope that this is maybe just something in my e-ARC and not in the final book. They are all very basic designs, like fingerless gloves, cabled head wrap, ruffled slipper socks, coffee cozies, etc., and most designed by Helen Bingham.
I received a copy of this book for free through http://edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com/
There's a few similar books out there, a collection of short stories with the common theme of knitting in all the stories. The difference is this collection includes more famous people, like Barbara Kingsolver, Sue Grafton, and Anne Shayne (of Mason Dixon fame). Like any short story collection, some are better than others - my least favorite was about a guy who kept talking about how he didn't knit but yet his story somehow involves knitting anyway. He just kept talking about how he didn't knit, like he was insulting the craft and those who love it. But that's the great thing about short story collections, you spend a few minutes reading a story you don't like, you move on to the next one that you do like.
There's also a few patterns included in the book, which in books like this I always figure they include solely as a way of selling more books (you know, people who enjoy reading will read this book, and people who just want patterns will buy this book, so you get twice as many sales). You have no idea what the patterns look like because you have to go online to see photos - I hope that this is maybe just something in my e-ARC and not in the final book. They are all very basic designs, like fingerless gloves, cabled head wrap, ruffled slipper socks, coffee cozies, etc., and most designed by Helen Bingham.
I received a copy of this book for free through http://edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com/
librarycatnip's review
2.0
Didn't really find many of the memoir pieces all that compelling. Some of the angry ones were really disheartening even though I recognize that we all have different relationships with fiber arts. It is just that so many of the people I know who knit, including myself, have such passion and deep seated love for the process, the feel, the colors, and the peace that comes with picking up the needles. This collection just wasn't what I was looking for at this point in my life.
stitchknurd's review
3.0
Great essay collection on knitting. The essays range in tone from humorous to sad to introspective. I think any knitter or crafter who likes thinking about the philosophy and meaning behind hand-crafting would appreciate at least a good part of this book.
jrf1108's review
5.0
A wonderful collection of essays by 27 different authors, all taking different perspectives on how knitting has changed them and their lives. I found it really heartwarming in some essays (Home Ec by Hope Edelman), sad in others ('Judite' by Kaylie Jones). I really enjoyed 'Ten Things I Learned from Knitting' by Ann Hood, it's probably the essay that I related to the most. It's nice to have such a large selection of authors, because you get to experience so many writing styles. Though it reminded me why I never finished 'The Poisonwood Bible', Ms. Kingsolver's writing is too much for me. Hers was my least favorite essay.