Customer Reviews

It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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"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.

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.

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.

Admittedly, there aren't a whole lot of books in the knitting humor genre, but this is as if not possibly funnier than At Knits End-- Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much, the Yarn Harlot's first book. Plus-- it has pictures!

The cartoons are super cute and super funny. One of my favorites shows a woman modeling a 3 sleeved sweater for her friend with the caption "Maybe you can fix that bit with blocking."

There are also great essays with titles like "Lost Knitting Diaries of the Famous" (from such supposed knitting luminaries as Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen and Thomas Edison) and "Monster in the Closet" (hint: virtually all knitters have one.)

I'm waiting with baited breath for Mr. Habit's next book and greeting cards!

My knitting group really enjoyed looking at this book. I have to admit, you would probably have to be a knitter to understand some of it's finer points and references, but boy howdy if you are! I'm so glad I bought it once, I would even buy it again for a friend.

I flipped through this in Borders and was laughing so hard I had to buy a copy for my fellow knitting friend. The cartoons are only half the fun--every few pages, he's inserted miniature prose features that are just hilarious. The Stash is a classic (and oh so dreadfully true! In fact mine is grumbling with hunger right now!), and his 'excerpts' from famous people's diaries is probably the funniest thing I've read in a long time!

This book is simply adorable. It will make the rounds of your knitting circle with many chortles and groans and 'oh my god I've actually *said* that!'s. If you're looking for a little stocking stuffer or 'teacher's gift' (this is a whole genre of gifts now, I'm told, though we didn't have them back in the olden days), this is a surefire hit!

Put down any drinks before you open this book! The cartoons are beautiful, the essays are wonderful. Franklin shares his love of knitting and displays his most wondrous sense of humor in a fashion that everyone can relate to. This book is for all the yarn hoarders out there and the people who love them. You need this book in your stash! Love you Franklin! When is the next book coming out?

This book is a stitch (ha!). I am a bookseller, and pulled it to look at the moment I saw it had come out. 1 word: Hilarious! It made me cackle out loud in front of a customer! :) Great book for any knitter you know. Perfect stocking stuffer. :)

There were so many wonderful parts to this book, it is hard to just pick one. I think my favorite is the part about kneeling in front of an Estoria Lace pattern and saying "Please, may I knit you." I run two blind & visually impaired knitting groups and at the January meetings my daughter is going to read the book to the groups. If the author wants to do a sequal, boy do I have some material for him. Worth every penny.

Betsy Gruba

Anyone who has picked up the knitting bug will love this book. Franklin Habit knows knitting and knitters and captures our world wonderfully with great cartoons and short stories. I'd love to see a sequel to this book and would snatch it up or pre-order it as soon as possible.