The Joy Of Knitting: Texture, Color, Design, And The Global Knitting Circle [Hardcover]

Lisa R. Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2001

The craft of knitting continues to thrive, both as a way to produce unique, stylish, handcrafted garments, and as a practice of meditative solace in a stressful world. This lively, comprehensive book for the growing population of contemporary knitters is an invaluable guide to fiber quality, texture, color, and pattern resources. It provides a complete global overview, from the politics of knitting as economic opportunity in undeveloped areas to the communal pleasures of Internet knitting circles to the inspiring beauty of ethnic motif in mittens, scarves, socks, and other items. Lisa Myers profiles influential designers, celebrates the joys of knitting in solitude and the tactile pleaures of yarn, and provides patterns for projects including a Log Cabin Pillow, an "intellectually challenging" three-dimensional hat, a Mobius scarf, and even a Palm Pilot cover. Lisa Myers holds a Ph.D. in English literature and is the proprietor of Sophie's Yarns in Philadelphia.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Without Tears (1973) inspired a whole generation of knitters to take up the craft and is still in print today. Like it, Myers's effort is fun to read whether you are a knitter or just want to learn a bit about the fascinating culture of knitting. Unlike Zimmerman's book, however, it is geared to a cyber age, with chapters on the online knitters' community, knitting in many cultures, and knitting as a way of giving back to society. Myers, who has a Ph.D. in English literature, covers knitting basics such as color, texture, and fiber in a series of essays each concluding with an illustrative pattern. The chapter on knitting in the computer age, for example, features directions for knitting a Palm Pilot cover, while the chapter on knitting to improve the world concludes with a pattern for a preemie cap. Recommended generally.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lisa R. Myers holds a Ph.D in English literature. She is the proprietor of Sophie's Yarn Cellar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (September 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762410604
• ISBN-13: 978-0762410606
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the advanced beginner, not bad for an old hand, February 5, 2002

By 

Carol Peterson Hennekens (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy Of Knitting: Texture, Color, Design, And The Global Knitting Circle (Hardcover)

I bought this book on a whim (it cost just the amount I needed to qualify for free shipping) and then read the reviews. My heart sunk a little when one of the reviewers said the book was only for beginners. I've been knitting for over 30 years and teach advanced classes. Had I wasted my money? No.

I've been reading "The Joy of Knitting" a chapter at a time and really enjoying it. The book consists of twelve chapters. Each chapter has ten to fifteen pages of thoughtful prose followed by a project/pattern. The heart of the book is the prose. The topics include knitting how to sections about fiber, color, and texture. What sets this book apart from the others are the wonderful chapters on the greater essence of knitting -- the history of knitting; knitting groups; tricks on knitting gifts; knitting resources on the internet; computer design; the internationalization of knitting (i.e. the recent interest in Russian shawls, Latvian mittens, etc.) and a final chapter on knitting to improve the world.

The patterns include a simple mobius scarf,watch cap, socks, a palm pilot cover, Latvian mittens and seven others.

This isn't a book for novices but is a perfect book for the newly "hooked" knitter who wants to know more about the greater universe of this wonderful hobby. Even as a veteran, I learned more than enough to justify the cost of the book and will urge my local store owner to carry the book.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a joy, January 3, 2002

By 

"jtuckernc" (Goldsboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy Of Knitting: Texture, Color, Design, And The Global Knitting Circle (Hardcover)

Ms Myers has it right: knitting at this point in our history is more than the necessity it was for our ancestors; knitting is something we do to give pleasure to ourselves and others, and it's a way of connecting with our community and with our past. While this book isn't a total guide to knitting, that's not a drawback. There are plenty of other all-inclusive how-to books (Vogue's Guide to Knitting, Knitting Without Tears, and Knitting in Plain English are my three basic reference works)and there's always your friendly local knitting shop for hands-on assistance. Really, The Joy of Knitting fills another niche: it provides some basic instruction, a few simple projects to give you a push to get started, and quite of bit of information and encouragement. I've been knitting off and on for a number of years, but would classify myself as a beginner (more enthusiasm than skill). This book got me going again - it reminded me of why I began knitting in the first place and why I enjoy it. I knit for my own pleasure (for the joy of creating something); I knit for the pleasure of those I love (thinking of them while I'm working on the project and reveling in their amazement over the finished piece); I knit to feel a part of history (following in the footsteps of my mother and grandmothers); and I knit because I'm part of a larger community of (mostly) women around the world who knit for all these reasons and more. The Joy of Knitting brought this all home to me and rekindled my interest in this wonderful form of self-expression. Get a copy for yourself (and your child?) and see how easy and pleasurable knitting can be. Give a copy to someone you love. Who knows: your thanks just might be a hand-knitted Mobius scarf!

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best for Beginners, November 29, 2001

By 

Kristi Swede - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Joy Of Knitting: Texture, Color, Design, And The Global Knitting Circle (Hardcover)

The Joy of Knitting is well-written and interesting, but repetitive if you have read Elizabeth Zimmerman's books or The Social History of Knitting. Many of the techniques are clearly EZ's (i-cord, for example) but not as clearly credited to her.

For the beginning knitter, this would be one of the best possible books you could choose, providing a mix of history, technique, and inspiration.

If you have a shelf full of books, or have knitted for decades, this might not be your best choice.

Either way, I wish her lovely shop were in my neighborhood!