Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft (Paperback)

~ (Author), Bill Manning (Photographer) "HOW DOES ONE BEGIN to be mindful?..." (more)
Key Phrases: mindful knitter, intuitive knitting, mindful knitting, Pattern Block, Organic Layette, Picking Up Stitches (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest addition to the growing shelf of spiritual crafts books offers a purl of a connection: Buddhism and knitting. A "dharma brat"—child of American Buddhists who were students of the popular Tibetan teacher Chögyam Trungpa—and a knitter since age nine, when she left lots of unmatched mittens around the house, Manning has grown into a contemplative craftswoman. She rightly sees that the repetitive, rhythmic character of knitting is as much an ideal contemplative activity as is bead-telling or chanting. Knitting and meditation both necessitate careful, focused attention. The Buddhist meditation Manning is familiar with requires a focus on the breath; knitting requires focus on the stitch. Containing essays that preface 10 knitting projects ordered by difficulty, this short book is long on practicality. The author's tone ("When we meditate, we give ourselves a gift of time") makes it a friendly introduction to crafting and contemplation. Though beginners may need an additional reference for techniques, the book includes helpful and accessible glossaries of knitting and meditation terms. Devoting more space to knitting instructions than spiritual musings, the book's spirituality is not deep, but many readers will enjoy "casting on" to the patterns of wisdom contained herein.
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Review

"Mindful Knitting is a welcome addition to the knitting-book oeuvre."—Vogue Knitting

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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; illustrated edition edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804835438
• ISBN-13: 978-0804835435
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #147,582 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I hoped it would be - and more!, June 28, 2004

By A Customer

I expected an explanation of how to bring Buddhist meditation practice into my knitting. That is there, and wonderfully explained. I'm already enjoying morning quiet time, with my knitting and just with breathing. As a newcomer to meditation, I am pleased with how easy it is to follow the instructions and how supportive the author is.

I didn't expect to love the projects so much! The book includes 10 projects that go from an extremely basic garter stitch scarf (perfect for the beginning knitter) through washcloths, a blanket and 2 hats for charity knitting, a simple cardigan (great first sweater for the new knitter), an aromatherapy tea cozy, a small evening purse, a lace scarf, a cabled jacket, and a baby layette. I ordered the book for the meditation instruction, not knitting instruction (I'm an intermediate knitter) and projects, but her instructions are wonderful - very clear and supportive, like the meditation instruction. And the projects! I often buy a book for the ONE thing I "must knit", but this book has 5 things I know I'll be making, starting with the little purse and the cabled jacket (and I'll probably do the organic baby layette at some point too).

This book was exactly what I was looking for, but it isn't for everyone. The focus is bringing meditation techniques to knitting, to make it a meditative practice for the knitter. If that idea appeals to you, you'll doubtless enjoy the book. If it doesn't, it's still a good project book for the beginning knitter, with projects that may or may not appeal to more advanced knitters.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knitting as Meditation, November 27, 2004

By	Linnymsw "Linda Frahm" (Martinez, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is exactly what it purports to be...a wonderful mix of knitting and mindfulness meditation. I love it! Knitting is a craft handed down to me by my grandmothers. Mindfulness is somewhat newer, I needed help getting there. This book was perfect for me. Now knitting is more meaningful and feels great all the way through, not just at the end when I complete the project. Whether you are a new knitter or have been doing it for years, this book will help you get much more out of the click clack of the needles and the feel of the yarn...get it. You won't be sorry.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book about knitting by someone who practices authentic spirituality, October 19, 2006

By	Matthew the Raven (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This is the third book I've read on knitting and spirituality (the other two have been The Knitting Way and Zen and the Art of Knitting) and this is by far the most spiritual of the lot. Manning is very obviously a devout practitioner of meditation who integrates her craft into it in some very special ways. The book is a little brief, but definitely a worthwile read.