It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons [Hardcover]

Franklin Habit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

An affectionate and humorous celebration of every aspect of the craft of knitting, from buying—and hiding—massive quantities of yarn to wrestling with projects that go seriously awry to prescriptions for alleviating the stress brought on by holiday knitting. This witty collection represents a pitch-perfect send up of one of the most rapidly growing hobbies today. Including 75 cartoons, deftly rendered in pen and ink with watercolor wash, and several humorous short essays, every knitter is sure to find elements of themselves in this collection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This would be a great little book as a gift for your favorite knitter."  —Knitting News

"Knitters will appreciate the humour of pen-and-ink cartoons about our beloved craft, as well as the short essays that range from serious to silly scattered throughout. It makes a great little gift for a knitting friend."  —Knit Together, the quarterly publication of the Canadian Guild of Knitters

"I don't think there's a better stocking stuffer for the knitter in your life."  —About.com Guide to Knitting

"Habit's writing contains enough laughs to make stitches fall right off the needles."  —Bangor Daily News

"A fun book for yarn junkies. . . . I laughed at the cartoons and empathised with the essays."  —Yarn: The Australian Magazine for Knitting and More

"A fast and hilarious read, it masterfully blends Habit's illustration skills and knitting knowledge to inspire serious laughter."  —The Grand Rapids Press

"A knit wit if ever there was one, the multitalented Habit has found a nice platform for his stitchy sensibility. . . . He lovingly tweaks the knitter's psyche."  —Yarn Market News

"Habit has a wry wit that fits his sophisticated style and a creative eye that lets him illustrate the stories with talented flair."  —Anchorage Daily News

About the Author

Writer, illustrator, and photographer Franklin Habit’s first piece of knitting—a vaguely rectangular six-foot scarf—was produced during his student days at Harvard University in the 1990s. Until the widespread revival of the craft, he stitched in solitude, turning out a small but steady stream of mittens, scarves, and hats for startled friends and relations. In February 2005, inspired by the emergence of the online knitting community, he created The Panopticon (the-panopticon.blogspot.com). What began as a project diary is now one of the most popular knitting blogs, with mentions in publications as diverse as Knit 1 and The Advocate. Franklin’s publishing experience includes writing lifestyles features for the Boston Phoenix, reading his own essay for the knitting podcast Cast On, and writing for Interweave Knits, PieceWork, Yarn Market News, and Knitty.com. Franklin knits and spins in Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680938
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680937
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, affectionate look at the world of yarn, October 19, 2008

By 

Carol S. (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Hardcover)

"It Itches" is a book perfect for every knitter -- and crocheter and spinner, too. The book contains a combination of humorous essays and delightful cartoons (think New Yorker) centering around the hobby (some might say "passion") of knitting. The creation of popular blogger, knitter and raconteur Franklin Habit, this book is certain to cement his reputation as one of the most creative and observant knitting writers around. Habit has a distinctive voice, and a wry and quirky take on the age-old craft of knitting -- as well as the modern-day knitter, who is not necessarily a rocking-chair-sitting grandmother, as Habit himself proves. The book is hardcover, filled with beautifully-drawn cartoons that make the reader laugh out loud (and often nod the head in recognition of seeing oneself in them), and a bargain at less than twelve dollars. The six-by-six book is the perfect size to fit in a knitting bag, and would make an excellent gift for anyone you know who loves to play with yarn. A must-have book for the fiberholic.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful little book, November 3, 2008

By 

Comp Sci Prof (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Hardcover)

It Itches is a charming, delightful book. I'm not normally much of a cartoon person, but I fell in love with it. The book contains some essays as well as the cartoons Franklin is famous for, and all are witty and amusing. It's refreshing to see that someone can still make innocent humor work in this scary and depressing time--this book is comforting, like putting on jeans still warm from the dryer on a cold morning. I give it my highest recommendation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Franklin...my holiday shopping is just about done..., October 28, 2008

By 

Woolybelle (Rockaway, NY, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Hardcover)

All my knitting friends are going to receive a copy of this wonderful collection of cartoons from the creator of THE PANOPTICON, a must-read fiber-related weblog. I wish I could give IT ITCHES six stars...it's hilarious, breathtakingly original and, I'm sure, destined to be included in every fiberholic's library.
Thank you, Franklin for taking care of most of my holiday shopping.