Customer Reviews

Knitting Green

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

I bought this book for one pattern, which I had found on Ravelry. I was disappointed in the rest of the patterns, however. Before you buy this book, go to Ravelry and look at samples from all the patterns. If you like them, buy the book. If not, skip it.

The projects in this book are lovely. They are refined without being hard and most of the clothing will work nicely with a variety of yarns. As the other posters have mentioned, this isn't a book where one or two projects will be liked and then the others ignored. You will have a difficult time deciding which to do first. I chose the Organic Sprout Tank. But will soon be moving on to another. If you are not someone who has a small library of books, this should be in it. Seriously. Have fun, knit often and enjoy life!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I checked it out from the library first and then decided I wanted it in my own knitting library. I love reading about the various types of fiber and what they go through to get turned into yarn. And I will make about a quarter of the patterns in the book - but I am a beginning knitter and I'm still working through the basics.

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.

I've wanted this book for a long time. finally ordered it, and am glad I did. while, of course, not all the patterns appeal to me, there are enough to make me excited about it. I haven't had time to read it all, but just glancing through, see gifts and useful items I'll be making. the projects are a manageable size for me- a full-time student with a part-time job. maybe I'll finally be one of those people at the grocery check-out with my own bags, but better yet, I will have knit them!

As much as I can knit green I like to try. I love the shawl and the backpack in this book...both will be well used in my life. One for winter and one for summer. Winter in Michigan needs inside warmth as well as outside.
Get the book, get the yarn, enjoy.

Great variety of projects and lots of interesting information on yarn that is "green." Clear instructions and great pictures to get you inspired to knit!

I love this book - I think the patterns are creative and pretty. I don't usually love all the patterns in a book, but this one is really chock full of nice ones. I am currently knitting the "Commuter's Knapsack" and it is coming out nicely. I, like the other reviewer, like the bike basket, it may be the next project I make from this book!!