KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave

by Sabrina Gschwandtner, Kiriko Shirobayashi (Photographer)

This book provides an intimate look at how twenty-seven of today's most innovative, inspiring and groundbreaking knitters live and work. Each of the profiled knitters has contributed a project.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Arie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book, and beautifully laid out, but purely due to personal aesthetics I was disappointed not to see... I suppose, a little more creativity. What of artists like Germaine Koh, who has been working on the same immense piece of knitting since 1992? Or Orly Genger, who creates huge-scale installation pieces knitted from rope? I'm not disappointed that they were not included, as such, more that many of the artist/crafters discussed here don't really seem all that exciting to me. There are very notable exceptions - the giant knitted teddy bear, the miniature pieces, the room made entirely of knitted panels complete with wearable clothes sewn into the wall... I think that personally I just wanted more of the extreme and odd.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book more about the recent history of alternative designers and artists than a pattern book. Even non-knitters would like it.

In retrospect, not really a "knitting book" but more a study on modern visual artists.

[Robinlynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too esoteric for my plebeian self.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profiles of 27 of the most talented artist-crafters knitting today. Knitting is beautiful. Sigh.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book on prominent knitting creators, but I wish the patterns were more practical.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed this from the library, and I love it.

It highlights in compact form, alot of the new designers that I have uncovered through web searches, etc. (In other words, this would have made it alot easier!) Knit designers and artists range from the amazing Tev Durham (knitwear designer) to the Houston collective Knitta. It also made me think about machine knitting (which would make some of these projects---their scale!) possible...

Definitely an inspiring book; not a how-to book (although there are contributed patterns in the book). While I am trying to slim down my book diet, this one made me pause.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series of interviews, photographs and projects from "Knitting's New Wave." The meaning of this "new wave" is a little nebulous but you can kind of see what they're getting at by the end. My knitting skills are about 1/10th of what I would need to actually complete the projects in this book, but I didn't even care because this is a collection of people who love some fiber arts and use them in insane ways that manage to be charming, thoughtful, and fucked up at the same time. This is like, part kitschy crafty, part ultra high Art Textiles, and part madness. I really felt a little bit disoriented while reading this book.... in a good way.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. As reviewer Gloria said, this is an inspiration book.

It's interviews and profiles on people dedicated to all the weird and wonderful applications of knitting. It focuses more on concept artists and vanguard designers and producers, rather than yarn-store owners or bloggers--so if you're looking for the latter, this is probably not for you.

There are patterns, but they're more useful in understanding the profile's work methods than actual usable recipes. That is, unless you were dying to find a pattern for a 14ft tall teddy bear made with fiberglass insulation. In which case: This book is definitely for you.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revisited in 2018 and it holds up.

The majority of the book is a series of 3-5 page biographies of fiber artists that knit.

I really like this book as a wide survey for the possibilities in knitting. For example, one artist focuses on extravagant, gymnasium-size, anti-war pieces. Another artist does small, intricate, more traditional pieces. Another artist produces couture wedding dresses.

The second and last section of the book is a series of knitting projects that the reader can complete on their own. The project ideas range from easy-beginner to advanced.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting profiles and photographs of some unconventional knitters. Most of the projects in this book are probably not anything I would ever make (banners with activist messages, giant toxic 1200 lb teddy bear knitted from spun fiberglass), but some of the techniques employed are pretty remarkable. Perhaps the best part of this book is seeing bizarre paths some of these people have taken to get where they are.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because the people profiled in it are using needles and yarn in new, youthful, unexpected ways--hip, even. There weren't many projects in here that I would want to try to make. However, it was refreshing to see people doing new things. I feel like so many knitting books are full of sweaters for women who live in rural towns or 1972. I don't want to make or wear those kinds of things. I enjoyed seeing people who are making things women under 35 might want to wear.

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book quite offensive actually. i was very turned off by some of the things in here - a banner reading "Shoot to kill", a sweater that reads "Praise God and Pass the ammunition" - with dates that celebrate the end of the ban on assault weapons in the U.S, mittens that have the numbers of Americans that died in Iraq....(what about the Iraqis who died? they don't seem to matter)American politics at it's ugliest. Strange book....did not like it one bit...(less)

[Lauren Gerfen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent! I explored the "craft" of knitting from all sides (job, art, hobbie, therapy). I am always interested in the heirarchy of art and craft and felt these essay looked at both the serious and the fun side of knitting. There were also some inspirational and imaginative project ideas to draw from. Thanks for lending it to me Anne:)

[Lisa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been trying to figure out how to write a review of this book... it's more about inspiration than about knitting, and each profile truly inspired me. Just when I thought I'd read my favorite section, the following person was just that much more wonderful. This is a great read even if you don't knit. Thanks to René for the suggestion.

[Dharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Interesting to have a glimpse into these artists' lives but serious, the patterns? Oh please. A knitted room; a teddy bear from fiberglass insulation.

Okay I finished it and there are only maybe 2-3 patterns I would make but it was fascinating reading about these artists.

[Claire Boynton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brilliant book: I am a nosey knitter and really enjoy hearing other people's knitting stories. From those who were taught at their Grandmother's knee to those who have made very successful careers from their sticks and string, I enjoyed and felt inspired by them all.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the profiles of today's most "hip" designers, but I loved the patterns they shared. I'll be making more than one. The writing was clear and informative, the patterns easy to understand but written for various skill levels.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book! it's beautiful and inspiring.

[m raye · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the idea of a knitted boat, you should look at this book.

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has projects! Talk about bang for the buck.

[Martha]

no matter what kind of knitting you do, you'll find inspiration here
read again in Nov 2014

[Toru · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspiring. But how do i find a tutor for knitting?

[Shelton TRL]

Uncredible projects of how much you can do with yarn!

[Clair · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is inspiring when you take a look at the various projects of the knitters here. Yet at the same time, I wanted more?

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

About the 'in' knitters of the day.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

guess who is in this one? a whole chapter on her! page 44!