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Two Sweaters for My Father
Beyond the garments, scarves, blankets, and sweaters, knitting offers the kind of nonmaterial rewards discussed in these the repetitive, rhythmic finger movements soothe, reduce stress, and bind a knitter to her community. Knitting's psychological dimension is celebrated in these personal accounts of one woman's experience knitting in the hospital, at a college reunion, and while making garments for her father and loved ones. These thoughtful reflections reveal that the real power of knitting has more to do with what goes on in the head and the heart than what happens with needles.
- GenresKnittingMemoirNonfiction
121 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Perri Klass
32 books48 followersPerri Klass is a pediatrician who writes fiction and non-fiction. She writes about children and families, about medicine, about food and travel, and about knitting. Her newest book is a novel, The Mercy Rule, and the book before that was a work of non-fiction, Treatment Kind and Fair: Letters to a Young Doctor, written in the form of letters to her older son as he starts medical school.
She lives in New York City, where she is Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics at New York University, and she has three children of her own. She is also Medical Director of Reach Out and Read, a national literacy organization which works through doctors and nurses to promote parents reading aloud to young children.
source: www.perriklass.com
She lives in New York City, where she is Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics at New York University, and she has three children of her own. She is also Medical Director of Reach Out and Read, a national literacy organization which works through doctors and nurses to promote parents reading aloud to young children.
source: www.perriklass.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 21, 2017
This is a wonderful and charming book of essays about knitting. I received it as a Christmas gift many years ago and have read it several times; I think I enjoy it more as I grow as a knitter. I wish there was a sequel! It would make a fabulous gift, but I wouldn't recommend this book to a non-knitter, unless they had similar feelings about a different handcraft!
April 11, 2022
I read this book many years ago and remembered enjoying it. I found it when I was searching around for a memoir to read. As a knitter, it seemed perfect. And I was right. It's a compilation of her articles and somewhat repetitive in themes, but an enjoyable comfortable read.
July 31, 2009
I received a signed copy of this book from a friend a couple of years ago, and only started to really read it now. I was familiar with Perri Klass, having read some of her essays in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, as well as pieces published in some of the more consumer-oriented medical journals. But until I saw this book, I had no idea she was a knitter!
The essays are all enjoyable reads, and short enough that you can read several at one sitting. She talks about knitting as a way to stay awake during med school classes, or while waiting for patients to come back from tests, etc. There are also stories of things she knitted for family and friends, and the feelings that she experienced (not always noble) as a result.
The thing I liked most was that the pieces are written as if she is talking to you - there does not seem to be any special agenda behind them, or any look-how-great-I-am feeling. They are just stories about knitting, and one person's experience.
One of my favorite things was in a story about how knitting has suddenly become "hip" and how Hollywood actresses have made it a desirable way to spend time. In one of her "Letters from America," which were published in Rowan magazine in 2003 and 2004, she writes:
"And maybe more than anything else, I love the idea that someone might see me knitting - in a crowded airport lounge, on a bus, in a doctor's waiting room - and wonder whether I am in fact a famous movie star (or perhaps the whole point of being a famous movie star is taht you are never in a crowded airport lounge, on a bus, or in a doctor's waiting room)."
Isn't that the truth!
Anyway, if you enjoy knitting, I think you would enjoy this collection. The writing is intelligent but friendly, knowledgeable but never preachy, and I think it is worth sitting down for a while with a cup of tea and reading at least one or two of the essays.
The essays are all enjoyable reads, and short enough that you can read several at one sitting. She talks about knitting as a way to stay awake during med school classes, or while waiting for patients to come back from tests, etc. There are also stories of things she knitted for family and friends, and the feelings that she experienced (not always noble) as a result.
The thing I liked most was that the pieces are written as if she is talking to you - there does not seem to be any special agenda behind them, or any look-how-great-I-am feeling. They are just stories about knitting, and one person's experience.
One of my favorite things was in a story about how knitting has suddenly become "hip" and how Hollywood actresses have made it a desirable way to spend time. In one of her "Letters from America," which were published in Rowan magazine in 2003 and 2004, she writes:
"And maybe more than anything else, I love the idea that someone might see me knitting - in a crowded airport lounge, on a bus, in a doctor's waiting room - and wonder whether I am in fact a famous movie star (or perhaps the whole point of being a famous movie star is taht you are never in a crowded airport lounge, on a bus, or in a doctor's waiting room)."
Isn't that the truth!
Anyway, if you enjoy knitting, I think you would enjoy this collection. The writing is intelligent but friendly, knowledgeable but never preachy, and I think it is worth sitting down for a while with a cup of tea and reading at least one or two of the essays.
June 1, 2013
Absolutely loved this book!
I took forever getting through it...intentionally! I tried to pace myself, so it wouldn't be finished too soon - like a box of truffles!
Really enjoy Klass's writing - her columns were my favourite part of Knitter's magazine. Will definitely try some of her other books, though I do wish there were more about knitting!
I took forever getting through it...intentionally! I tried to pace myself, so it wouldn't be finished too soon - like a box of truffles!
Really enjoy Klass's writing - her columns were my favourite part of Knitter's magazine. Will definitely try some of her other books, though I do wish there were more about knitting!
September 19, 2013
Perri Klass is a pediatrician in Boston but also a writer and knitter. Although I no longer knit myself, I am related to some avid knitters who have introduced me to the pleasure of reading about it. This collection of articles and essays is well done and personal without being cloying.
November 4, 2008
Two Sweaters for My Father by MD, Perri Klass (2004)
February 4, 2013
great essays for those of us at the intersection of knitting and health care ...
June 8, 2013
While some were interesting, on the whole, I didn't enjoy it. I came to the end of many essays expecting a summary or ending, and I didn't find one.
April 1, 2013
For knitters only, and for anyone who has knit a gift for someone else, this story by Knitters' Magazine contributor Perri Klass, is a tender, knit-specific and authentic!
October 24, 2015
Every knitting addict and their loved ones should read this book of essays. I loved Perri Klass's writing and her perspective on what knitting can bring to one's life.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews