Knitting Green [Paperback]

Ann Budd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2010

Detailing a wide range of perspectives and approaches to environmental issues, this unique crafting manual offers ideas for knitting conscientiously. Leading figures of the industry, from designers to yarn company executives, share their methods for integrating green principles into their work and lives—selecting organic products, facilitating an alternative to chemical detergent, recycling old projects, reducing disposable plastic bags, and creating pieces that provide warmth and save on energy. Inventive and timely, this practical guidebook explains answers to important questions such as What makes a yarn organic? and Are natural dyes safer than chemical dyes? Providing 20 clever designs for earth-friendly garments, accessories, gifts, and home furnishings, craft enthusiasts of all skill levels will enjoy projects that balance the altruism of saving the planet with the joyful benefits of their favorite hobby.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] thoughtful book...The items in these pages are both fashionable and functional." - Verena Knitting "A green approach still means beautiful patterns—have a look at Nancy Bush’s Videvik Shawl, Ann Budd’s Honor the Buffalo Socks and Mitts, and Kristeen Griffin-Grimes’ Caterina Wrap." — Knitty.com "The patterns in this book are simple, basic and refreshing." — CraftGossip.com "The book proved to be quite an eye-opener for me, a long-time knitter...Essays in the book really pulled this writer's head out of the sand in terms of what the term 'organic' actually means." — Green Right Now newswire "I'm impressed with the stylish patterns and the print designer in me likes the layout, use of colors and typefaces. It's a book with projects for knitters at any level." — Austin American-Statesman "Knitters...will find this book offers them a lot to think about, and a lot of solutions depending on what they decide is most important to them when it comes to crafting with the planet in mind." — About.com Guide to Knitting "This eco-educational book highlights yarns from organic cotton to silky soy-with patterns for knitting projects using these yarns, complete with photos showcasing how good sustainable knitting can look." — Mother Nature Network "Beautiful, and classy...This book is refreshing, offering a ton of information to help knitters make educated decisions about how they can make their craft more green." — PetitePurls.com "It's not about being trendy. Ann Budd is right–knitting seems like a hobby, but being mindful of our impact, our carbon footprint, is more important than ever." — knittingscholar.com “Avery is one of nearly two dozen contributors to the new book "Knitting Green", a collection of patterns and essays about knitting published last week.” – Calgary Herald “For months I've been looking forward to the release of Ann Budd's newest book, "Knitting Green (Interweave Press, 2010)". Upon receiving my copy of the book, I curled up in a comfy chair, listened to the breeze blow by the open windows and began reading. Not all knitting books can hold my attention long enough to flip through each page, cover to cover, but Knitting Green did—I wanted to absorb all it had to tell me, and there was plenty.” – CEY Web-Letter 143 “Demonstrates how you can enjoy your favorite hobby while doing your bit for mother earth, too. [A] beautifully laid out book.” – Crafts Beautiful (UK) “It doesn't preach, rather it provides you with the facts so you can make educated choices. This book's a wonderful resource for knitters who care.” – Knit Today (UK) “A terrific book that helps to educate the knitter about how our hobby has an environmental impact. It's neither preachy nor condescending. And of course, there are patterns....I'm in love with the patterns!” - KnitPurlGurl “Knitting Green is a helpful and well-crafted effort to point us in a better direction.” – Knitter’s Review "A green approach still means beautiful patterns … have a look at Nancy Bush’s Videvik Shawl, Ann Budd’s Honor the Buffalo Socks and Mitts, and Kristeen Griffin-Grimes’?Caterina Wrap.” - Knitty.com “A truly delightful book with 20 fashionable designs. All the garment designs have full blocking diagrams with imperial and metric measurements.” – Machine Knitting Monthly "Explores ways to integrate 'eco' perspectives into knitting and day-to-day life with articles, essays and projects.” – Needle and Handicrafts (UK)

About the Author

Ann Budd is the best-selling author of The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns and The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. She is also the author of Getting Started Knitting Socks, Interweave Presents Knitted Gifts, Knitting Green, and Simple Style, and coauthor of Bag Style, Color Style, Lace Style, and Wrap Style. She is a book editor and the former senior editor of Interweave Knits magazine. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681667
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681668
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Reading Green January 15, 2011

By wallita

Format:Paperback

Oops -- Interweave missed the boat! Yes, the author gathered exceptional content. I really wanted the backpack pattern and found that there were other nice ones. And it's interesting to consider the global impact of our (fiber) purchases . . . but THE BOOK IS PRINTED IN CHINA! Did they think that there are not any quality publishing houses in America that can support American workers? They decided to ship their product clear around the world after having it printed by a company with a dismal human rights record. Sorry, it's getting returned.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Patterns ---Green or Not! May 26, 2010

By M. Roque

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is chock full of wonderful patterns. Usually, I buy a book because I am desperate to make one pattern---not so with this book. I have already begun the chic commuter knapsack, and it is going smoothly. I also hope to make several more patterns. It is nice that the theme is "green", however, these patterns are appealing whether you use "green" yarns or not. I highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Environmentally-conscious knitting June 19, 2011

By D. Boyken

Format:Paperback

Being "green" and "organic" is very trendy these days, but the nice thing about this book from Ann Budd (other than being a book by Ann Budd) is that it's not about being trendy. It's about trying to be environmentally friendly. The book starts:

"To the casual observer, knitting looks to be an earth-friendly practice that hasn't changed much over the centuries. But our ancestors raised their own sheep, and spun the fiber into yarn, and grew flax and spun it into linen, all without the use of antibiotics or pesticides. They gathered, processed, and spun the fiber by hand, dyed it with whatever was available, and hoped that there would be enough for a garment. Then they knitted by firelight after working all day to put food on the table. ... But progress comes at a cost-the carbon footprint grows with every aspect of large-scale production. So, how do we enjoy our yarn choices while being mindful of our delicate planet?"

What follows is two-fold. First, there are the "conversations" mentioned in the title. Essays and thoughts about ways that knitting both is and is not organic, green, environmentally-friendly. The other half is the pattern collection. A series of knitting possibilities made not only out of environmentally green yarns, but to make your lifestyle more green. Are you chilly? Instead of turning up the thermostat, pull on the Tree-Hugger Pullover, or cuddle under the Blue Cloud Afghan. Keep your house cleaner by wearing Save-the-Streams Slippers instead of shoes. Carry your stuff in the On-the-Go Bike Basket-Purse or the Commuter Knapsack when you ride your bicycle instead of taking a car. Don't forget the knitted grocery bag, either.

All in all, this is a lovely book, a good reminder of how important it is to keep the earth's future in mind. Ann Budd is right--knitting seems like an environmentally friendly hobby, but being mindful of our impact, our carbon footprint, is more important than ever.