Customer Reviews

Compassionate Knitting: Finding Basic Goodness in the Work of Our Hands

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Knitting and spirituality aren't completely incongruous - many a knitting blog these days discusses the differences between process knitting, and object knitting. Manning overdoes the 'zen' aspect of knitting for my tastes, but if her target audience is the beginner who wants simplicity of design, she seems to have hit her mark. The usual beginning section explains the "how-tos" of knitting, and isn't spectacular, but does what it's meant to with clear illustrations.

My main complaint is the lack of colour. The greyscale illustrations accompanying the patterns are supplemented with the tiniest of colour inserts in the middle. If the color printing process is too expensive for the whole book, I'd at least like the photos to be bigger when they are in color. There are about 4 projects depicted on each plate that just aren't large enough to show the potential.

The designs themselves are appropriately minimalist, with few embellishments, and could easily be modified for a more personal, less stark look. Done well enough for what it is, but just not my cup of tea.

This book is supposed to be a follow up to Tara Joe Manning's Mindful Knitting, however, it is less of a follow-up and more of an appendix to her other book.

First off, the title is where you will find the most "compassion" in the book. There is barely any discourse on the subject and if you are to truley knit with her brand of "compassion" or "mindfulness" then you are assumed to have read the first book. There is almost no explanation of compassion, holding mindfulness, or knitting as meditation in this slim volume, unless you count one or two sentences in the two-page introduction.

This slim volume contains very cute "zen style" patterns. The cloud pillow, stars jumper set for a child and other items are simply lovely, modern and clean in style without being too fussy or full of knitting cliches.

Perhaps what is disappointing to me is that I was looking for a discussion of compassionate knitting and not simply a catchy title for a slim volume of cute patterns. A more appropriate title would have been, Knitting Patterns in a "Zen" Style for Today's Knitter.

"Compassionate Knitting", Tara Jon Manning's second knitting book, futher explores the relationship between mindfulness, knitting, and developing a compassionate outlook, the subject she explores in her first book "Mindful Knitting." There isn't a whole lot ot text or instruction in "Compassionate Knitting", just a few pages that explain how the knitting designs presented in this book are inspired by nature or by the concepts of healing or soothing. There are 20 designs, most of which are very simple. Several of the more attractive designs have nature-inspired motifs, such as a "Cloud Pillow" which is nicely adorned with knitted-in cloud designs.

I have to say that I was not overly impressed with most of the clothing designs presented here, except for the home decor ideas. THe garment designs presented here are quite blocky in nature.

My other reservation in recommending this book is that it does not offer much knitting instruction. This book presumes that the reader has mastered most basic knitting skills. To me, this book was more about inspiring meditation than inspiring knitting.

Twenty original knitting projects within are meant to convey a special meaning to the project, whether it be a good luck symbol, serenity, or imparting confidence, and noted knitwear designer Tara Jon Manning shows how to tap into this compassion blending Buddhist philosophy with knitting objectives in a unique blend of spiritual and knitter's guide. Knitters will appreciate the unusual blend which fosters both creative and soulful projects.

I really enjoyed this book! I have always thought that knitting was more about the process than the product. When you knit from the heart and give your knit item as a gift you are giving so much more than just the item at hand...you are giving love and a bit of yourself.
My daughter loved the look of the angels and fairies in the book.
I loved the Padma Jacket, the colorful pictures in the center of the book and also The Folklore of Aran Stitches in the back of the book(it is wonderful to know the greater meaning behind some of the stitches we use!)

The photos from this book are not compelling, the patterns accurate but unattractive, and the book as a whole is just not very interesting.

I was very disappointed in this book. Most of the patterns are similar to what you can find in any free pattern search done on the Web. The women's designs are sloppy and look as if they will hang on the body without any shape. If you were to use the yarns called for the cardigans could end up costing nearly $200.00. The sachet bag, mittens, scarf, baby sweater, and toque are ubiquitous on the web or in any beginning knitting book and certainly not worth the price of the book.

No complaints here. The service was fast and efficient, and the book arrived in perfect condition. Hope we can deal again.