Customer Reviews

The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Self Discovery

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a yarn shop owner who has been in the business for over 10 years, and I have seen a lot of knitting books come and go. Not all of them stand out, but I will enjoy and appreciate The Knitting Way for a long time. This book is utterly delightful; it is also serious, helpful, and soothing. Skolnik and MacDaniels use knitting as a way to learn about yourself, as a guide along a spiritual path of self discovery. In the introduction, Skolnik states that connection happens through knitting; the book offers a guide for readers to become aware through knitting. My favorite line from the introduction (p. 3): "...knitting has emerged as a powerful female symbol that can put us back in touch with the harmony of life." This book is insighful, spiritual but not preachy, entertaining, and highly readable. Not boring! Fun! And it makes you think, too.

The book has 9 chapters. Each chapter is a collection of poetry, essays, drawings, photos, and a feature called "Space Between the Loops" (these sections are written by Janice MacDaniels). Chapters also include segments called "Experience It for Yourself" in which project patterns or hands-on experimentation guides are offered, to reinforce the message of that section of the chapter. There are a total of 19 patterns in the book, indexed at the beginning for easy reference.

Among other things, The Knitting Way will help knitters find time to knit; you'll learn how to make a graphic Project Selection Mind Map; learn to explore non-yarn materials for knitting (there is a photo of knitted spaghetti) including how to cut and knit with fabric strips; and there is a section to see if you are a Knitting Dependent -- and a Knitter's 12-Step Program to use if you do indeed have a problem.

I've been a knitter since I was eight years old, and I buy just about any new book on knitting that comes out (along with too much yarn!), but I never thought about WHY I knit. I thought I simply wanted to have scarves and sweaters that were unique. But as I read "The Knitting Way," I realized it wasn't that simple. The process of knitting really can be an inward journey into my own spirit, or an outward journey to my community.

Authors Skolnik and MacDaniels are so open about their own experiences in knitting and in life (both exhilarating and frustrating) that I am encouraged to knit in a more thoughtful, present way. I'm looking forward to the challenge of knitting a Moebius scarf, which might be a gift for a teacher friend. She can use it to demonstrate the scientific principle in her classes!

This book opened up the possibilities of exploring the spiritual side of my knitting. I've been a knitter for many years, but have always just "made things." It was a utilitarian hobby, not something I even had to focus on doing. I was feeling burned out on the idea of making another sweater or hat or pair of socks. With the help of this book's thoughtful reflections and interesting projects (which, by the way, are much deeper than simple skill-builders...I think they are meant to be used as meditations), I was able to connect with the larger experience of knitting. Now I'm excited again to take up my needles and yarn!

P.S. My favorite projects were the different shawls/wraps.

I'm not a knitter, but a friend recommended this book to me. You can buy lots of books with patterns in them (this has some great ones), but this book makes you THINK. Why do you knit? What do you get out of it? Does it make you feel good, bad, guilty, proud?

One of the best things I learned is that when you make a mistake, it's okay. Either fix it or go with it--maybe you'll end up somewhere else fabulous.

I really wanted to like this book and I made myself read the whole thing just in case it got better. The problem is that the main author, Linda Skolnik, was approached by an editor to write a book on "knitting as a spiritual practice." As she (Skolnik) freely admits whe was "a hardly observant Jew with no insights into spiritual issues." And it shows. She approached the book as though writing a college paper, so that much of it is merely the regurgitation of someone else's words, starting out with a couple of chapters on physics and math.

I believe she had every good intention. She was diligent in her research. she has a gret bibliography. She just should have let things gel before writing the book. The problem is, she wasn't ready to write it yet.

The sections by MacDaniels held together better and were more readable. The projects are knitting at it's most basic, so i won't be making any of them.

I have hopes for Skolnik, when she writes from the heart and from experience, she's great. there just isn't enough of that in this book.

Finally somebody put into words what makes knitting so important to me and why it's more than just a hobby. They understand how I can discover more about myself through knitting and how I in turn I put more of myself into my patterns and projects. Fabulous. Can't wait for volume 2.

As a knitter, I look for projects that expand my skills. I like to spend my time creating something that's either useful or beautiful. I've worked hard to learn increases, decreases, and fancy stitches, to construct bags, sweaters and toys, to knit lace on big, honkin' needles and to knit socks on little, dinky size 1 needles. I like a challenge and I like to learn.

Unfortunately, the exercises in this book are ONLY about process: "knit a cube that turns into a ball," "knit a spiral," "knit a mobius." You spend time, effort, and yarn, but end up with a fairly useless object. If you enjoy projects more than process, this book is not for you.

As for the essays, I think that saying this book is a "guide to spiritual self-discovery" is a bit much. The essays are way too long-winded for me. This book would be twice as good if it were half the size.

I much preferred the essays and exercises in "Zen and the Art of Knitting" which taught me how to be comfortable in knitting without a pattern and designing my own scarves and sweaters.

I have found knitting to be a spiritual thing--the beauty of the yarns, knitting together with others, knitting for charity, knitting alone. As I've knitted with others, I've found that ALOT of folks knit just so they can breathe--as they face the death of a parent, spouse, or beloved pet, as they celebrate weddings and births, as they cope with cancer or depression. But "The Knitting Way" really fails to tap into the kind of deep spirituality that comes from knitting together with others over time.

At first I thought I wasn't going to like the book.
But then after I read it from beginning to end the organization and flow of the book took hold.

I don't think I'll do the knitting projects because I'm a fairly experienced knitter, and the projects don't really challenge me, but the reflections and references to other books and thoughts I found useful.

A book that helps you find the balance of knitting, a silent space, and finding the hidden bond beyond tapping the needles together. It becomes a mind-relief process...
counting, watching, listening and learning.

I was impressed with the personal touches, relating to find the transcendence of the 'spirit' via a craft that has been around for centuries. In between the little writings there are projects to motivate the mind and hands.

This book was like a friend, opening the comfort in knitting. I carry this book and my knitting with me to parks, on trips and to the doctors, etc.

I am enjoying the book, and the knitting. It was highly recommended by another knitter. Thank you Judy