Customer Reviews

KnitLit: Sweaters and Their Stories...and Other Writing About Knitting

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a collection of brief essays, averaging about two or three pages each, by dozens of people. There are very few pieces that I'd call weak; even these 'weaker' pieces uniformly maintain a chatty, conversational tone that gives the reader a smile or two.

Most of the essays are very well written. They provide snapshots of wildly different people who find common ground through knitting. Some of them knit as a form of creative self-expression, some of them knit to provide comfort to themselves or others, and some just knit to keep their hands moving. There are tales of joy and loneliness; there are triumphs and disasters; and for one special knitter, there are worms. While there are some pieces I wish had been longer, the format of the book is an overall wise choice. The brevity of each essay makes it a perfect excuse to put down your knitting for a few minutes and rest your hands while you read a bit. I recommend this book to every knitter.

I enjoyed this book -- but I think it's safe to say that you won't like it if you're not obsessed with knitting. This collection of essays about knitting was interesting, amusing, and heartstring-tugging by turns. A pleasant way to while away a few hours!

My sister bought this book for me out of the blue, and it reminded me of the reasons I used to knit so passionately. I eventually got tendonitis, and had to switch crafts for a while, but this book brought me back into the fold!

I read Knit Lit two first and loved it. The stories were funny and touching and varied. I laughed outloud at some and cried with others. So I bought the first one, Book Lit, and was very disappointed. Start with Book Lit Two, skip this one.

I enjoyed reading these knitting stories. They were diverse and showed that knitting is not your just your grandmother's craft. I especially liked the charity knit stories and wrote down the address of the group that knits hats for the poor children.

I started knitting last year, and have truly fallen in love with it. I cannot wait until I complete the sweater I am working on... then I will have a "sweater story" too!

I credit this book for part of the reason I am currently knit-obsessed. Wonderful stories within about how knitting connects us to past generations, eases our pain and surrounds the person we give our handcrafted item to with love.

While I truely enjoyed most of the stories, the somber ones relating to loved one's passing away seemed grouped together making it a bit depressing at times.

All in all, a good little book to tuck into your knitting bag for when you don't have time to stitch, but you do have time for a quick story.

As a beginner knitter who was frustrated in learning this wonderful craft, I found this book very inspiring and fun to read. As I dropped stitches, knitted it the wrong size, and looked at some instructions as though they were in some secret code, I would read a few stories and find myself pcking up the knitting and truly having a new outlook on life. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever considered knitting. Don't miss out on these GREAT stories.

When you can't knit, why not read about it? These series of essays are so varied and interesting. Some are funny, some sad, some whimiscal, but all touch the readers heart in a special way. Perfect for taking on a plane, or any other time you can't knit.

Perfect gift for those who are readers AND knitters (like me).

My favorite story was "Baby Blanket" on page 184 by Jean Stone. So emotional, it moved me to tears.

The essays are mostly very short, which I like, because I can only go so long without knitting. (I'm working on knitting without looking, but so far am only successful with worsted weight.) Many are evidently not written by professional writers; this is a democratic and inclusive book. The essays come from all different perspectives, embracing those who are NOT philosophical about knitting along with those who are, and even those who hate knitting or don't knit. Some are hilarious, some are sad, some are boring. This book is great.

While this book would appeal mainly to knitters, anyone who likes the textile or fiber arts AND who likes a good "yarn" will love this book.

It's packed with stories about how knitting affects the lives of the contributors. And there are many of these short essays in this wonderful collection.

Are these tales just about "When I learned to knit and made a funny-looking sweater?" No--though there are stories just like that. There are also stories about how knitting is intertwined with life and death.

The most meaningful story for me was by a man whose beloved grandmother INSISTED that her yarn stash be knit up into a warm afghan as she lay dying from cancer. She was at a ripe old age and had a full life, and the way she tied up the loose ends of her life, lovingly and with great passion and determination, was inspiring. This is like "Chicken Soup for the Knitting Soul."

If you like to read about people who knit and about their real-life experiences and deep feelings, this book is for you. I really found it hard to put down, and I know when I re-read it, I will find more gold. Thanks, all of you who wrote this.