Customer Reviews

Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability

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I get a lot of knitting books. When I first started buying them, I told myself that I had to knit at least two projects out of a book before I could buy another. As you can imagine, that goal fell quickly to the wayside. Today I don't normally buy books (only) because I like the projects in them, but because I like the stories and information they provide. I don't have any rule about making even one project from each book. As long as I learn something and am entertained or inspired, I'm happy with my purchase.

A while back I tech edited the patterns in Fiber Gathering: Knit, Crochet, Spin, and Dye More than 20 Projects Inspired by America's Festivals by Joanne Seiff. While Joanne was working on this book, we met up at several nearby fiber festivals and we've since become friends. This first book of Joanne's included projects by many different designers, which were wonderful, but I was happy to hear that for her second book, Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability, Joanne was designing all of the projects herself. She has a simple and classic design sensibility, and her projects are fun as well as useful. The garments and accessories are classic designs that you will be able to wear for a long time, and the home dec items and other odds-and-ends will make great gifts for yourself and for others.

I've got to say that this is one of my favorite knitting books, and not because the author is my friend! This is exactly the type of knitting book that I love. It includes projects, stories, and useful information that can help me, not only with my knitting, but also with my personal goals. In this case, the book has given me some wonderful ideas about how I can use my knitting to promote sustainability in ways that match my own priorities about the environment. The table of contents itself is a springboard to many ideas, including several categories I would never have thought of on my own in a million years:

1. Supporting Biodiversity
2. Sustainable Farming Practice
3. Vegan Knitting
4. Maintaining Folk and Indigenous Traditions
5. Promoting Fair Trade and Fair Work
6. Organic and Natural Fibers and Labeling Use
7. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
8. Buy Local Goods
9. Changing Our Habits
Conclusion: Every Little Bit Makes a Difference

This book reminded me of Rick Steves's Travel as a Political Act because it has practical suggestions for small, realistic things that we all can do to help protect our planet and make the world a better place. It sometimes seem so overwhelming and hopeless, that it can be tempting to just sit back and do nothing. But I do believe that small things can add up to large results. And so does Joanne.

I found interesting ideas in almost every chapter, but my favorite is chapter 4, which talks about about preserving folk traditions, because that's where my obsessions lead me. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, many folk traditions that involve textiles may disappear. While we know that small-scale, environmentally friendly co-ops and family businesses are likely the best way to purchase our fiber, sometimes it's hard to find or prioritize this. When it's easier to buy something mass produced, these highly individualized traditions can be lost. We've all faced this. When it is less expensive to buy something you need than it is to make it, we begin to lose the skills to spin and/or knit our own garments.

This is interesting to me. I don't think it's just because it's less expensive to buy finished goods that the traditional techniques fall away, but because it's easier and less time consuming. I don't believe anyone wants to spend all of their time spinning, knitting, weaving and sewing. Just imagine if you had to make every fiber item in your house from scratch -- including spinning thread to weave your bed sheets! But I do think that by supporting local artisans who create traditional textiles, either for fun or for profit, we can help these traditions survive at the same time that we become free of the requirement of constant labor. I feel like I'm rambling a little, but I think that's because I have mixed feelings on this topic. On the one hand I love the time-honored traditions and I believe in honoring women's work, on the other hand, I can't see that it is necessary for people to make everything they own by hand. I would like to find some kind of balance between producing and consuming. And I think Knit Green can help me in that search.

Sometimes it seems like we are constantly hammered with peer pressure to "live green" but when I've visited Europe, I've seen so much more action than I do here in the states. And I've had several European friends tell me that, after visiting America and seeing how wasteful we are here that they began to feel helpless about their own actions at home. How sad to think that my country and my fellow US citizens are examples of how not to care about our planet! Joanne's now living in Canada, but when she wrote this book she lived in the USA. I know that she walks the walk, she doesn't just talk the talk. She's an inspiration to me, and I hope her writing will inspire you, too.

So, if you knit and you care about the environment and you want to be a force for good in the world, not an example of waste and wanton consumerism, please read this book. You won't regret it. Plus, you will find some really nice things to make.

Among the many good things this book offers is an understanding of how the various fibers are processed, from bamboo and tencel to wool to recycled fabrics from the back of the closet. With the information and thoughtful approach found in this book, I have been able to make wiser choices when buying wool and other fibers for my knitting projects. I also have a deeper appreciation for the wonders of wool!

I can't lavish enough praise on Knit Green. It is the single most intelligent piece of writing that I have seen on knitting and sustainability. The author takes her reader on an exploration of environmental and social responsibility in all its nuanced dimensions -- agricultural sustainability, biodiversity, veganism, fair trade, buying local, etc. -- and writes thoughtfully about the trade-offs between these values.

There are a few things that put this book in a class above everything else I've read about eco-friendly knitting. First, it's exceedingly well researched. I consider myself to be very knowledgeable about these issues already, but I learned a ton from this book.

Second, it communicates the salience and complexity of these issues without veering into self-righteousness. She makes you feel inspired and empowered, not guilty or frustrated by unattainable purity.

Finally, it's just an all-around well-constructed book that in every way hits the sweet spot of being sophisticated but accessible. The writing is clear but engaging. The patterns are simple but with clever twists. The photographs are artsy and interesting but still show off the knitting perfectly. All in all, highly recommended!

I have several projects going from this book, great ideas and good info. I had trouble finding big enough needles for the basket project... sheet from the thrift store, $1, needles to make the project, $40 (scoured the internet). However, I feel that I could make several gifts out of this and in the end, it will be worth it. I also made the butterfly table runner and will soon begin another project. I love using recycled yarns (even though they cost just as much, if not more, than non-recycled). I actually found this book at the library, but will probably order my own copy. I always enjoy new knitting projects and this book has some good ones along with great information about sustainable knitting. Enjoy!

I saw this book the first time at my local library, I was so impressed with the quality of the book that I purchased it for a friend that knits. It had creative and fun projects that were practical for every day use. I don't knit but she loved the book. Books make an awesome gift!

Not sure how "green" this book is, but it has some ideas that should be thought about before you buy yarn.

The only information that I really found in this book that was new to me was the directions for tearing up a bed sheet to make a "yarn" in order to create the basket pictured on the front of the book. Otherwise the patterns and information in this book were lackluster, the materials used not easily available, and some of the instructions were nonsensical (place mat pattern makes 4: cast off, cast on stitches and repeat 3 times).
Definitely not one I would buy for the knitting library, but worth a quick browse.

very informative on what fiber is made from and the drawbacks to some of them vs the processed versions. No very practical on telling you were to get these materials. More of an environmentalist book instead of a knitting reference.