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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
179 of 181 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For several years I've been told by friends that I ought to lay hands on a copy of this book, before it goes out of print. When I finally found one and spent an evening reading it, I discovered why there is such a buzz about the book.
Although you may be drawn to the colorful pages and designs (which are only a small part of the volume), what lies at the heart of this book are its sensible, clear, illuminating explanations of how those loops operate as they slide across your needles, leaning this way and that. Anna admits that it was not particularly appealing to her to so thoroughly describe the characteristics of stitches, but she seems to have dedicated herself to the task and succeeded very well. In fact, her explanations are really quite engaging, because they are so illuminating.
Once you take the time to read through her pages, studying her illustrations, you will never again knit without understanding what your stitches are doing. Basically, Anna has taken the time to open her eyes to the movements of stitches, and articulated and illustrated it well enough for the rest of us to benefit from her examination. If this sounds hopelessly abstract, it isn't - it's liberating and right before you.
Now that I've read the book myself, I have begun to recommend it in all the workshops I teach. It answers one question I hear several times every workshop, which is: "Why does this stitch lean the wrong way/what should I do about it?" This question will never mystify you again, and the concept of a wrong way will vanish.
Cat Bordhi, author of Socks Soar on two Circular Needles, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.
Although you may be drawn to the colorful pages and designs (which are only a small part of the volume), what lies at the heart of this book are its sensible, clear, illuminating explanations of how those loops operate as they slide across your needles, leaning this way and that. Anna admits that it was not particularly appealing to her to so thoroughly describe the characteristics of stitches, but she seems to have dedicated herself to the task and succeeded very well. In fact, her explanations are really quite engaging, because they are so illuminating.
Once you take the time to read through her pages, studying her illustrations, you will never again knit without understanding what your stitches are doing. Basically, Anna has taken the time to open her eyes to the movements of stitches, and articulated and illustrated it well enough for the rest of us to benefit from her examination. If this sounds hopelessly abstract, it isn't - it's liberating and right before you.
Now that I've read the book myself, I have begun to recommend it in all the workshops I teach. It answers one question I hear several times every workshop, which is: "Why does this stitch lean the wrong way/what should I do about it?" This question will never mystify you again, and the concept of a wrong way will vanish.
Cat Bordhi, author of Socks Soar on two Circular Needles, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.
104 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is likely among the best knitting books ever written, reminding me of another design classic, architect Christopher Alexander's masterful A Pattern Language. Anna Zilboorg insists that knitters understand what they are doing, not lamely follow instructions for techniques or patterns. Starting with first principles, she takes her readers step by step from the most fundamental concepts about how stitches are formed all the way through the most sophisticated techniques. She asks us to stop, observe, and think, and in so doing assumes the best of us--that we are aspiring to be artisans, not knitting machines.
This is a must-have book for any serious knitter, novice or advanced. Brava, Anna!
71 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I only just picked up a copy of this book the other day, but already it's having a profound effect on the way I look at my knitting.
It's not a pattern book, and it won't make you hip, but it will explain how knitting actually works, and how knitters can make that work for them. Zilboorg's book is a real eye opener, and equips those of us who do our stitches a little differently with the knowledge and ability to deflect purists, stitch nazis, and other fiber arts authoritarians when they tell us we're doing it wrong, and show them that our stitches are perfect regardless of whether we knit Continental or English, leading leg in front or back, or if we wrap clockwise or counterclockwise.
It's not a pattern book, and it won't make you hip, but it will explain how knitting actually works, and how knitters can make that work for them. Zilboorg's book is a real eye opener, and equips those of us who do our stitches a little differently with the knowledge and ability to deflect purists, stitch nazis, and other fiber arts authoritarians when they tell us we're doing it wrong, and show them that our stitches are perfect regardless of whether we knit Continental or English, leading leg in front or back, or if we wrap clockwise or counterclockwise.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Meh.
After reading the reviews, I purchased this book and awaited anxiously on UPS. The first couple of chapters did not disappoint, but then the book became a commercial for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by L. Sealey
This is a small book that can change you knitting
I got this book because another book said it was one you really need to read. I am a knitting book freak so I didn't need much of an excuse. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Deborah
Good Book
I bought this book and didn't actually get around to reading it until a couple months later. At the time I was mostly knitting socks, and tried her color pattern knitting ideas on... Read more
Published on May 19, 2010 by wildsage
an enriching book...
If you are thinking about learning to knit or if you are a long-time knitter, Knitting for Anarchists is a wonderful read. Read more
Published on February 17, 2010 by Rex
Original Buttonholes!
In "Knitting for Anarchists" author Anna Zilboorg has instructions for the most wonderful buttonholes! Read more
Published on August 27, 2009 by ArtDesign1
Drop the religion
The biblical and creator references in this book are overwhelming. I thought I was buying a book about knitting, but found the references too distracting to be able to focus on her... Read more
Published on September 29, 2006 by BMillerTSS
Needs a New Title
There are a surprising number of rules and opinions laid down in a book advocating knitting anarchy. I found it sort of preachy and self-important.
Published on August 10, 2006 by alfafemme
Knitting, please, not intolerance
I bought this book in order to review its technical aspects, to possibly include it as a resource in an upcoming class, on the advice of a knitting friend, who claimed it was... Read more
Published on April 10, 2006 by Think Again
Knitting without boundaries
Archists follow rules, like to be led by the hand; anarchists don't follow recipes and strike out on their own. Read more
Published on August 31, 2003 by Joanna Daneman
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