KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting [Hardcover]

Clara Parkes (Author), Laura Billings (Author), Sigrid Arnott (Author), Kari Cornell (Editor, Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2007

Taking a light-hearted approach to the art that keeps us in stitches, this nimble little book is filled with comical stories and words of wisdom, providing a humorous glimpse into the world of knitting. With laugh-out-loud tales of the allure of yarn, suggestions for the best places to knit (An ice shanty on a Minnesota lake, perhaps? Or maybe on the back of a motorcycle?), and the tell-tale signs of yarn-collecting spinning out of control, this nifty work is illustrated throughout with amusing vintage pattern booklets, advertisements, photographs, and charming artwork.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

With laugh-out-loud tales of the allure of yarn, suggestions for the best places to knit (An ice shanty on a Minnesota lake, perhaps? Maybe on the back of a motorcycle?), and the tell-tale signs of yarn-collecting spinning out of control, this nifty book of knitting wit and wisdom is illustrated throughout with amusing vintage pattern booklets, advertisements, photographs, and charming artwork.

From the Inside Flap

Front flap copy:

With a light-hearted look at the art that keeps us in stitches, this nimble little book is one that no knitter with a sense of humor should be without. Laugh-out-loud tales of the allure of yarn, suggestions for the best places to knit (An ice-fishing shanty on a Minnesota lake, perhaps? Or maybe the back of a speeding motorcycle?), and the telltale signs of yarn collecting spinning out of control are illustrated with amusing vintage pattern booklets, advertisements, photographs, and charming artwork.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760328471
• ISBN-13: 978-0760328477
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,618,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Little Distraction - Great Knitter's Gift, March 10, 2007

By 

CrimsonBelle (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting (Hardcover)

This is a cute little book, full of lots of pictures of vintage knitting memorabilia - ads, old instruction books, art. These are interwoven with clever text, ideas, and fun facts. Treat yourself or a fellow knitter to this fun volume.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You and your yarn stories, April 17, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting (Hardcover)

KnitKnacks: A small ornamental article used in the act of knitting; a trinket no knitter should be without (from the back cover of KnitKnacks)

With the resurgence of interest in knitting has come a commensurate interest in vintage knitting patterns. When not actively knitting, we enjoy reading about the world of knitting and the obsession we have with sticks and strings. With KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting, Voyageur Press has combined these two elements, presenting images from vintage pattern books, old photos and artwork, along with essays from several well-known knitters.

The three essays are humorous and cover a range of topics.

-- Laura Billings asks the question, "Could knitting be so addictive that it's like a drug," and helps knitters determine when they've crossed the line from recreational knitter into an honest-to-goodness addict.

-- Clara Parkes considers the journey from yarnilepsy to yarnirvana and hopes that her personal story will help others realize that, no matter how long the journey, it is possible to reach yarnirvana and its infinite rewards.

-- Sigrid Arnott ponders on knitting for the man in your life as a means of staving off guilt and has found creative ways to ensure your gifts are truly useful and tailored to his interests. Grab the needles and some nylon rope and knit your man an Electric Cord Snood or use twine and wooden beads and knit up a Car Seat Shrug. And don't forget to read Arnott's small section at the end and you too can use guy talk; never again will your partner's eyes glaze over as you discuss your latest project. "Have you seen my on-demand textile fabrication toolkit?"

Knitters are encouraged to see themselves in the images of knitting in unusual places and the vintage images used to illustrate the various signs of yarn addiction. Muffled laughter is a sure sign that you recognize the "signs that yarn (and acquiring more of it) dominate your existence."

Armchair Interviews says: This little book is the perfect size to slide into a knitting bag and skim when you need validation that you are not alone in your relationship with yarn.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute Coffeetable Book, September 2, 2009

By 

L. Gwidt "hotlittlepig" (central wisconsin) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting (Hardcover)

When I read the previous reviews and bought the book, I thought it would be more quirky quotes and "knittisms". Turns out to be one persons journey thru knitting. There are a few cute "knitties" at the beginning of each chapter, but otherwise felt like a "blog" book. Borrow it from the library before you buy.