Customer Reviews

KnitLit: Sweaters and Their Stories...and Other Writing About Knitting

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I received this as a gift, and as a knitter, I really appreciated it. Knitting can be such a solitary activity, and this book offers an opportunity to hear stories that people don't often share. The stories are so varied that I found myself wanting to savor each one before I moved on to the next. I can't wait for the next book!

While this book would appeal mainly to knitters, anyone who likes the textile or fiber arts AND who likes a good "yarn" will love this book.

It's packed with stories about how knitting affects the lives of the contributors. And there are many of these short essays in this wonderful collection.

Are these tales just about "When I learned to knit and made a funny-looking sweater?" No--though there are stories just like that. There are also stories about how knitting is intertwined with life and death.

The most meaningful story for me was by a man whose beloved grandmother INSISTED that her yarn stash be knit up into a warm afghan as she lay dying from cancer. She was at a ripe old age and had a full life, and the way she tied up the loose ends of her life, lovingly and with great passion and determination, was inspiring. This is like "Chicken Soup for the Knitting Soul."

If you like to read about people who knit and about their real-life experiences and deep feelings, this book is for you. I really found it hard to put down, and I know when I re-read it, I will find more gold. Thanks, all of you who wrote this.

The essays are mostly very short, which I like, because I can only go so long without knitting. (I'm working on knitting without looking, but so far am only successful with worsted weight.) Many are evidently not written by professional writers; this is a democratic and inclusive book. The essays come from all different perspectives, embracing those who are NOT philosophical about knitting along with those who are, and even those who hate knitting or don't knit. Some are hilarious, some are sad, some are boring. This book is great.

This book is a collection of brief essays, averaging about two or three pages each, by dozens of people. There are very few pieces that I'd call weak; even these 'weaker' pieces uniformly maintain a chatty, conversational tone that gives the reader a smile or two.

Most of the essays are very well written. They provide snapshots of wildly different people who find common ground through knitting. Some of them knit as a form of creative self-expression, some of them knit to provide comfort to themselves or others, and some just knit to keep their hands moving. There are tales of joy and loneliness; there are triumphs and disasters; and for one special knitter, there are worms. While there are some pieces I wish had been longer, the format of the book is an overall wise choice. The brevity of each essay makes it a perfect excuse to put down your knitting for a few minutes and rest your hands while you read a bit. I recommend this book to every knitter.

If you are knitter like me who also loves to read, then you'll surely want to add this book to your library. The stories within are written by knitters from all over; each weaves the craft of knitting with the lives we all cherish.

This anthology proves what I've suspected all along--people who knit aren't just grandmothers anymore. They're high school students and pub-goers and alcoholics. They're even men. Bite-sized stories, just long enough to give a quick break from your day. Loved it!

and rushed over to the cashier to pay so that I could take it home right then. If you are a knitter, you will recognize yourself. Lots of funny stories about knitting, and life. Buy it.

I bought this book because I thought it would be a good substitue for not being able to knit on an 8-hour flight. It did not disappoint. There are quite a few humorous stories to break up the more sentimental and New-Agey type ones. It is clear from this book that knitters come in all varieties which makes for an interesting read. I'm looking forward to the next volume!

The subsequent titles are fun as well, but this one touched me more. In response to "skip this one," I suspect whichever you read first will have the most impact.

If you are a knitter or know a knitter, you will find stories you can identify with in KnitLit. Other stories will give you an entirely new prospective on knitting. The stories are told by those who love to knit and those who just love a knitter. They run the gamut from laughter to tears. Knitters, pick up this book when you put down those needles - or for those lucky ones who can manage it, read this while you knit! For those who have knitters in their lives, read this to understand why your loved one is so obsessed.