Knitting Around the World: A Multistranded History of a Time-Honored Tradition

by Lela Nargi

Here is the history of knitting around the globe, examining styles, techniques, and particular styles countries and regions—including England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Japan, Australia, Canada, United States, Peru, Bolivia, and more. Highlighted are 20 profiles of historically significant knitters who are using particular techniques today—plus 20 patterns that exemplify knitting traditions from around the world.

Genres: Knitting, History, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

264 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2011

About the author

I’m a writer of books for adults and children living in a leafy corner of Brooklyn, NY with my daughter, my husband and my dog.

Reviews

[Grayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but I got it from the library, and I'm glad I did. (I was the one who requested that they buy it, actually.)

The good: gorgeous pictures, and a nice overview. Given that the author was trying to cover the entire globe, many sections are treated superficially, but in general it was an enjoyable read.

The bad: The editing was... not great. There were places where pictures were described that weren't the pictures shown, and there were a few places where sentences were cut off. There are also offhand remarks that aren't explained, like I had to look up what a two-thumbed mitten was, and I've been knitting for over twenty years.

The book is definitely written for experienced knitters, which was good for me but bad for anyone who has no idea what the author's talking about. For example, I highly doubt non-knitters, or even new knitters, know what a mitten's thumb gusset is.

Also, some of the pieces presented were designed by modern Americans/Brits/Canadians. Why have a picture of (for example) "traditional" Japanese tabi socks that were designed in the past couple of years by Annie Modesitt, a white woman from Ohio? Don't get me wrong, Modesitt is an excellent designer, but there are good Japanese designers out there, and I imagine there are a number of actual traditional socks hanging around in museums somewhere. A lot of the pieces in this book are from modern creators but are supposedly based on classical designs, and they're presented right next to actual historical pieces. This is supposed to be a history, not a "modern Anglo-Saxon interpretations of history." That bothered me a lot. There are lots of profiles of modern designers from the country of origin, to see how that country's style has changed, but to have random photos of American interpretations seems wrong.

So it's not a bad book, but it could have been better. I'm happy to have read it, as it's inspired me to try some different colorwork techniques, but I'm glad the library bought it instead of me.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice but very very superficial survey of the international history of knitting. Clearly written and divided by region. It also stretches back to very ancient times if applicable. Wonderful photos and clean layout and writing.

My one complaint that it assumes that you are very familiar with the different styles of knitting. There are scant explanations if any with regards to any introduced form of knitting like alpine. Otherwise, if you are very knowledgeable about the different knitting techniques, this is a nice light survey of the historical aspects as well as international aspects of knitting.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very nice pictures - but I wish the captions had given more information
Lots of information- but it is rather jumbled so the narrative thread gets lost
Interesting side bars about some contemporary designers - but also some vanity pieces that don’t add anything.

I did enjoy learning about knitting variations around the world and the interviews with designers fascinated me.

The biggest problem is the editing, actually the LACK of editing. Irrelevant sentence fragments pop into paragraphs; paragraphs break off abruptly; sections start but never finish; verbs don’t agree with their subjects, and words are used without regard to their definitions.

For example, antecedent doesn’t mean what she thinks it does:
“Traditionally, the most common and important item knit in the Andes is the ch’ullu. It is the antecedent to the ancient and highly skilled knotted and looping traditions.” p244

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed history of knitting. Found it a bit too academic for my tastes; however, for those with a desire to understand the origins & spread of knitting around the world, this would make stellar reading. My favourite aspect of the book was the profiles of designers from the varying styles & traditions sharing their journeys in knitting and will be checking out some of their books. I was awed by the items, such as gloves that were created in the 17th century from silk that is so perfect & beautiful, it's difficult to grasp that they were knitted by hand. Truly the chronicle of this Art is astounding!

[Maggie Billings · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book definitely covers a wide range of knitting history and trivia but reading it is like reading a 250-page high school history essay that hasn't gone through a single minute of editing. Some of the sections are so badly written that they're just confusing, but if you want a general history and don't mind some actutely painful writing you can dredge out enough of an overview to find something interesting and read more about it somewhere else. I can't really fathom why pictures of reproductions from lots of white lady knitwear designers were used in some places instead of examples of traditional knitting made by people who are actually part of the cultures who designed them, but there are some good pictures in the book as a whole. All in all, maybe skip this one or just get it at the library to look through the pictures.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good jumping off point for knitters interested in exploring international techniques and learning a little about their history. Because it is so broad and covers lots of different world regions and techniques, it gives really general information rather than getting specific. However, I think this is a plus, since it shows you a lot of different techniques that you may not know about, and then you can research the ones that interest you. Gorgeous photos.

For some of the historical patterns, I would have appreciated a “translation” into modern terms alongside the original version, so I could understand what the pattern actually called for.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being extremely informative, this coffee-table book has, in my opinion, a number of drawbacks. In many instances the print is in a small, sometimes italic, font, on colored or patterned backgrounds, which makes it almost impossible to read. I did persevere, as I felt the information would be worth it. However, the topic is really too large for one book, so in making cases it barely skims the surface.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As fast as knitting "history" books go, this is decent. It's not the most deeply researched and I thought of it more as a survey of basic knitting history in different parts of the world. I wish that there were more photos and that more of the ones included had dates associated with them. Also I would have preferred more pictures of extant knitted items or equipment over the modern recreations of historical items that were included throughout.
Still generally very enjoyable!

[Katie Brohard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Sandy]

Interesting book about knitting around the world. Many interviews included as well as patterns.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the Master Hand-knitting Program Level 2
Nicely done at the start up to proliferation of knitting - went in chronological order (Syria/Egypt) then by country or region.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of knitting as a global and historical practice. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interesting in learning about the history of this craft.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

We do NOT know when knitting began and we are not certain where it began. We know very little about the history of knitting until about the 1600's. Those who have made guesses about what happened before that time do not agree. The first two chapters of this book jump around so much in time and place that it will confuse you even more! I decided to read the later chapters first, since the history of knitting in Australia/New Zealand or the US and Canada will certainly be shorter than that of Europe or even Asia. I then read some of the other chapter and once again confusion set in. When I finally returned to the first two chapters, I was just as confused as when I started this book. Lots of interesting information; but certainly NO definitive answers.

[Ciaobella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully large book that keeps the vast scope of knitting history. Relying significantly on Richard Rutt's "History of Hand Knitting" and primarily focused on European and American traditions, this is magnificent primer.

I loved the layout and found the mixture of history and patterns showcased the vibrancy of historic and contemporary knitting in the western world.

Can't wait until someone publishes something about knitting history in China, as I understand that the 20th Century was a hand knitting hotbed there....

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful as an intro to many knitting traditions and some contemporary designers and historians. Good pictures: some historical and some good color pictures of recently done pieces. The bibliography is extensive and is a good starting resource for those who want more info about an technique or region. Since this book was published in 2011, and there is a great interest in knitting and yarn, it is already outdated. Kaffe Fassett and Deborah Robson cannot be omitted, imho.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find the written portion of this book well done, however, the vintage photos and paintings were very interesting.

Worth getting from the library, but not worth purchasing for my own collection.

[Rachel Bodner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really interesting info. My only issues were that portions weren’t written well, and that many intricacies would be best accompanied by a picture and weren’t. Or if they were, the picture didn’t show the detail being described. I did a lot of google imaging during my reading.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading - would be great before bed reading if it weren't so heavy! I do, for some odd reason, enjoy looking at the historical knits that reside in museums around the world.

[Hattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative overview covering an impressively broad range. This is a great place to start if you're interested in the history of knitting.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

History by geographic place; no projects. Interesting.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's so much information in this book- it a great knitting/ historical costume reference. The size of the book is a little unwieldy to read though. I didn't actually finish reading it.