KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kiriko Shirobayashi (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Review

KnitKnit gets across that knitting has power as a social force and a political one, but no one represented here forgets that most importantly of all knitting is beautiful. (HC ed.) --Crafts magazine

…readers are guaranteed to be inspired, no matter where their interests lie. (HC edition) --American Craft magazine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description

Provides an intimate look at how 27 of today’s most innovative, inspiring, and groundbreaking knitters live and work

Captures the zeitgeist of the craft renaissance
KnitKnit, the highly collectible ’zine, has been featured in The New Yorker and on Style.com

All over North America and Europe, a brand-new generation has taken up knitting—and is transforming the venerable needlecraft by blurring the boundary between craft and art. In Copenhagen, Denmark, Isabel Berglund hand-knit an entire room. In New England, Dave Cole constructed an enormous “knitting machine” (he used excavators and utility poles) that knit an 800-stitch, 35-by-20-foot American flag. But the projects aren’t all of a monumental scale. In Los Angeles, Bridget Marrin knits little dollhouses—complete with lawns, shrubbery, and smoke-filled chimneys, all made of yarn. Using surgical wire, Indiana-based knitter Althea Merback hand-knits sweaters smaller than a dime.

Five years ago, Sabrina Gschwandtner founded a ’zine to tackle the blurry edge between craft and fine art. Now, her book KnitKnit brings together profiles of 27 of the most talented artist-crafters knitting today. But KnitKnit does more than just document their ingenious creations. Each of the profiled knitters has contributed a project—a sweatshirt kimono, a mohair and metal belt, a pair of high-heeled boots, a geodesic-patterned cap, even a teddy bear knit from fiberglass insulation—meant to inspire you to find and follow your own creative path.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang STC Craft Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584796316
• ISBN-13: 978-1584796312
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,041 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love KnitKnit!, September 21, 2007

By	Maura M (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

KnitKnit is a gorgeous and inspiring book! Sabrina Gschwandtner profiles an eclectic group of artists and communities who are creating an electric new form of knitting. While most of the artists are avant-garde, the book feels completely accessible. Each artist has contributed a pattern for a knit garment or object, and the projects vary greatly in scope. Some of the knitters use their knitting to create political statements, while others are simply interested in exploring new methods and materials. The design of the book is beautiful, and the photographs by Kiriko Shirobayashi capture the personalities of the artists and their work. I have only had this book for a week, but I already treasure it. It will make a fantastic addition to any library!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Grandma's yarn, September 22, 2007

By	Lola from La Jolla (CA) - See all my reviews

Anyone who's ever been to an art show and thought "Huh?" will take one look at this book on knitting that goes way beyond sweater sets and say "Yes! I get it."
What an amazing foray into the world of knitting as more than either art, craft or design. To say that these fiber artists are way ahead of their time is to understate what this fabulous book provides -- a window into what's possible in knitting. Colorful, joyous, incredible projects that make you want to get out a pair of knitting needles and see how far they can take you.
This is THE perfect gift for every knitter in the world.
Oh, and the patterns? Yes, you CAN make these artful creations too.
Give it a try.
I give KnitKnit raves...

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Historical project in itself., February 4, 2008

By	D. Matlack "Guidedog" (in Wild Wyoming) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

First of all if you are looking for a book that places emphasis on patterns than this is not the book for you. Knit Knit is more of a social commentary and historical time capsule of current trend-setters and artists who just happen to work in knitting the way others work in paints and sculpture.

One reviewer remarked that this book is more of a coffee table book, a fair assessment in that it is a beautifully constructed art book that ALSO has very considerable bios on the artist's. And quite frankly no one in this book leads a dull life, so it might be surprising to many that a book that centers on knitting could be such an engaging read.

As a knitter I was intrigued and amazed as well as daunted by how imaginative and to what extremes these artists go to achieve their "vision". As a history-buff I thought it was brilliant that Ms. Gschwandtner had the foresight to capture the lives as well as the product of these individuals for posterity. (Ms. Gschwandtner's intro which includes her account of starting her own zine, KnitKnit, is also a great read on finding inspiration in/on the most unlikeliest of ways.)

Patterns are included as each artist contributes one as an example of their work. It is more of a fun invite to emulate their work rather than a typical "practical" knit pattern.

There is much to discover and enjoy in Knit Knit and you will most likely find yourself doing a lot of re-reads as well as accepting the occasional challenge to knit one on.