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KnitLit (too): Stories from Sheep to Shawl . . . and More Writing About Knitting
Knitters are a breed unto themselves. They speak their own language, and they harbor a passion for their craft that takes a strong hold, blocking out troubles and worry, whenever they pick up the needles. But knitters are not exclusionary—all are welcome into the warm circle once you appreciate the beauty of hand-spun and dyed yarn, the sense of focus that comes with starting a new project, and the joy of creating something beautiful to share with a loved one. In their first book, Sweaters and Their Stories , Linda Roghaar and Molly Wolf brought together a heaping stash of stories by knitters and for knitters that spoke to the power of knitting in people’s lives. Now, without a single dropped stitch, here is KnitLit Stories from Sheep to Shawl .
Featuring another rich array of contributors, KnitLit Too includes folksinger Christine Lavin and writers Perri Klass, Lesléa Newman, and Suzanne Strempek Shea. Featured as well are stories by a third-grader who picks up the needles for the first time, a mother waiting to wrap her soon-to-be-adopted child in the blanket she made for him, a sister upstaged by her Merchant Marine brother who just so happens to be a natural knitter, a man who is forced to admit to the new woman in his life that, yes, he knows how to knit, and a young girl living with her mother in a battered women’s shelter who is brought back from the brink when she learns to knit. Rounding out these heartwarming true tales are original poetry, meditations, fiction, and even a mystery, all about knitting. KnitLit Too features more than 70 pieces, some sweet and touching, others inspirational or hilarious, and all woven together by the dedication and devotion that knitters feel for a cherished hobby that is for many a way of life.
Featuring another rich array of contributors, KnitLit Too includes folksinger Christine Lavin and writers Perri Klass, Lesléa Newman, and Suzanne Strempek Shea. Featured as well are stories by a third-grader who picks up the needles for the first time, a mother waiting to wrap her soon-to-be-adopted child in the blanket she made for him, a sister upstaged by her Merchant Marine brother who just so happens to be a natural knitter, a man who is forced to admit to the new woman in his life that, yes, he knows how to knit, and a young girl living with her mother in a battered women’s shelter who is brought back from the brink when she learns to knit. Rounding out these heartwarming true tales are original poetry, meditations, fiction, and even a mystery, all about knitting. KnitLit Too features more than 70 pieces, some sweet and touching, others inspirational or hilarious, and all woven together by the dedication and devotion that knitters feel for a cherished hobby that is for many a way of life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 16, 2015
I don't knit, but I enjoyed reading this book by and about knitters. The pieces are all short and follow on straight after one another, so that the reader can find it hard to stop reading as they don't finish at the bottom of a page very often.
Common themes are being taught to knit as a child by a loved relative or friend; being unable to knit until adulthood; men who knit casually; knitting and giving away garments; making friendships through knitting. The enjoyment of vibrant colours and softness comes out in many stories, so the wools (called yarn often in the Canadian/ American compilation) seem to roll off the page and have a separate place in the knitter's heart to a garment.
I particularly enjoyed a few items - by or about men who knit, including one man who knitted at sea in the Navy to pass the time and one husband who taught himself to knit complex pot holders from string while at work in a rubber factory.
I also loved the pieces about sheep and other wool-producing animals such as alpacas, called fiber animals (that would be fibre to me) by the hardened wool-gatherers; not to mention the home dyeing that goes on when a gardener gets going. Indigo, woad, rose madder, nettle and marigold are just some of her dye herbs.
One of my favourite pieces was under a heading to do with stash - this is the collection which accumulates as a knitter has some wool balls left over, or buys them but never uses them, or is given them because she knits and someone may as well use them. The lady writer warns that stash can take over your life and home as there is never enough to knit a single garment in matching colour or texture; that carrying it around in the boot of the car uses extra petrol; and that the myth that you can't die until all your stash is used up is untrue, as you have probably gained a lot of your stash from deceased knitters' estates.
I bought this for my mum who knits, but I'm glad I read it before passing it on to her. Just a little thank-you for all the beautiful knitting she has done for me.
Common themes are being taught to knit as a child by a loved relative or friend; being unable to knit until adulthood; men who knit casually; knitting and giving away garments; making friendships through knitting. The enjoyment of vibrant colours and softness comes out in many stories, so the wools (called yarn often in the Canadian/ American compilation) seem to roll off the page and have a separate place in the knitter's heart to a garment.
I particularly enjoyed a few items - by or about men who knit, including one man who knitted at sea in the Navy to pass the time and one husband who taught himself to knit complex pot holders from string while at work in a rubber factory.
I also loved the pieces about sheep and other wool-producing animals such as alpacas, called fiber animals (that would be fibre to me) by the hardened wool-gatherers; not to mention the home dyeing that goes on when a gardener gets going. Indigo, woad, rose madder, nettle and marigold are just some of her dye herbs.
One of my favourite pieces was under a heading to do with stash - this is the collection which accumulates as a knitter has some wool balls left over, or buys them but never uses them, or is given them because she knits and someone may as well use them. The lady writer warns that stash can take over your life and home as there is never enough to knit a single garment in matching colour or texture; that carrying it around in the boot of the car uses extra petrol; and that the myth that you can't die until all your stash is used up is untrue, as you have probably gained a lot of your stash from deceased knitters' estates.
I bought this for my mum who knits, but I'm glad I read it before passing it on to her. Just a little thank-you for all the beautiful knitting she has done for me.
April 28, 2018
Being a knitter I enjoyed this collection of short stories/anecdotes all having something to do with the knitting craft, but I honestly think that non-knitters would rate this book lower than my 4 stars. While some selections would have universal appeal, others would appeal more to those who knit.
May 1, 2021
Written in 2004, I should have expected more reference to 9/11 and god. I found that chapter grating. There are some gems in this collection,Cauldrons of Color by Jannette Ryan-Busch was a perfectly positioned end of book story to read on Beltane. Merry meet.
April 20, 2019
Another wonderful collection of stories about yarn, knitting, love, life and... sheep! I'm so glad that there is a third in the collection to look forward to!
July 14, 2018
This was on the book shelf in my Spinning guild. I've not read the first collection of stories but I'm sure that wont matter.
Some happy and some sad tales about knitting. Most only a few pages long, nice to read between rows.
Some happy and some sad tales about knitting. Most only a few pages long, nice to read between rows.
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September 7, 2007Featuring another rich array of contributors, KnitLit Too includes folksinger Christine Lavin and writers Perri Klass, Lesléa Newman, and Suzanne Strempek Shea. Featured as well are stories by a third-grader who picks up the needles for the first time, a mother waiting to wrap her soon-to-be-adopted child in the blanket she made for him, a sister upstaged by her Merchant Marine brother who happens to be a natural knitter, a man who is forced to admit to the new woman in his life that, yes, he knows how to knit, and a young girl living with her mother in a battered women’s shelter who is brought back from the brink when she learns to knit. Rounding out these heartwarming true tales are original poetry, meditations, fiction, and even a mystery, all about knitting.
June 29, 2009
The Stephanie Pearl McPhee story that kicks off this collection about trying to knit while ice skating was absolutely hilarious, but the rest of this book fell flat for me. I appreciate the idea of putting together personal memories about knitting and how it affected the authors' lives...but for the most part they didn't seem to have a point, and even those that were genuinely touching got lost among the cloying overwrought ones.
October 12, 2013
It was an enjoyable read, a book I'd take with me while I ate my meals in solitude in Crossroads. There were several 9/11 stories which I skimmed over, since I don't care for 9/11 much.
Recommended!
Recommended!
November 30, 2013
Warm, thoughtful, interesting stories about knitting and knitting people.
February 22, 2008
found this at the library on 2/21 ~ looks interesting!
July 10, 2008
Funny, touching, and enlightening. People knit (or not) for a lot of reasons - relaxation, creativity, or tradition. This book explores a lot of the feelings people have about the process.
January 15, 2009
This book made me want to knit constantly.
December 24, 2015
Cute and relatable.
October 20, 2010
I enjoyed this but not as much as the first one.
October 10, 2010
Nice, light stories that I read while enjoying my evening bath
April 8, 2011
Bummed - it wasn't for me but don't let this puny review discourage you.
October 18, 2012
Cute. Light-hearted read. A collection of stories is something I don't usually read, but it was quite good, and about knitting - bonus! LOL!
August 16, 2013
Another great mesh of heartwarming stories from other knitters.
July 18, 2015
Again...Wolf found just the right stories to compile in this 2nd book in the series. Enjoy it with a cup of tea!
July 24, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed these essays on knitting from a wide variety of authors, knitters, spinners, etc. Some stories make me laugh, others bring a tear to the eye.
January 10, 2011
Fun stories about a love for knitting
December 4, 2016
Did I like it? It was amazing.
Would I reread it? I have.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Would I reread it? I have.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews