Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Beyond Stitch And Bitch: Reflections On Knitting And Life

Rate this book
With every knit, the author tells a story; with every purl, readers weave a little of themselves into the tale. Beyond Stitch & Bitch explores through essays the emotional and spiritual aspects of knitting.

Although the book is targeted to knitters, any craft person will appreciate the passion and affection that these essays communicate. Readers laugh at the author's inability to reduce her yarn stash in "The One Who Dies with the Most Yarn Wins." Every hobbyist will recognize herself or himself in "A Knitter's Life," as the author confronts her mortality while knitting hats for her young nephew.

Afi-Odelia Scruggs, a knitter for over forty years, has written a book that is engaging, appealing reading for anyone who has fallen in love with a craft.

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2003

40 people want to read

About the author

Afi-Odelia Scruggs

3 books1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
5 (9%)
4 stars
11 (21%)
3 stars
25 (48%)
2 stars
9 (17%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,210 reviews206 followers
July 28, 2022
Beyond Stitch And Bitch: Reflections On Knitting And Life
by Afi-Odelia Scruggs
What I love about this book is the patterns and the ease of them but complicated also.
Story follows a girl when she first starts to learn how to knit, puts it down then sparks her interest again and it mentions a shop in Providence, RI,
one I've not visited myself that gets her creative juices flowing again. Love hearing about the color sequences and how her hands tell her what it is she's making as she starts knitting.
Love the story of the woman from Africa coming and connecting with her.
Fun read. Comradery is awesome.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Profile Image for Jamie.
109 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2017
"I am a woman who belongs to a community that stretches around the world and welcomes whoever wishes to join." This was such a great little book. Not that I needed reminding why I love to knit and crochet but it was nice to read the many, many reasons why in all these essays. It was a lovely way to finish off the year!

Profile Image for Donna.
1,632 reviews115 followers
December 27, 2019
Who knew...I read this before and read it again 02/01/13. I must have liked it better the second time around because I immediately got up after finishing the book and knit another row on my current project. This book is very short, but if you are a knitter or crocheter I bet you will recognize yourself in some of these essays
71 reviews
July 27, 2023
Author writes of her admiration and respect for the African woman, Madame DIARRA who weaves bogolan call for used in the ceremony of female circumcision, which we know it’s actually female genital mutilation. The authors attitude toward this woman is very disturbing to me. I will not pass this book along, but will throw it in the trash.
Profile Image for Laura.
407 reviews13 followers
May 9, 2010
Very short read--finished in a couple hours. The stories are pleasant with a dash of patterns thrown in for measure. I'm not one for reading knitting books that aren't 90% patterns, but this was nice and reassuring. Although, honestly, I have never been lectured for knitting at work. I don't know how I'd make it through a all-day meeting without a project in my lap. :)
Profile Image for Kristine (fezabel).
108 reviews75 followers
October 19, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is honest and thoughtful. The book itself is short and easy to read. The author covers many aspects of knitting and spirituality without getting preachy. This book would make a wonderful gift for any person interested in knitting or needlecrafts.
Profile Image for Mary Ann.
1,769 reviews
October 18, 2015
Really enjoying this book. Some of the things she talks about ring so very true indeed. Definitely a book knitters/crocheters and crafters in general can relate to.
Profile Image for Hope.
814 reviews46 followers
December 12, 2009
A beautiful collections of essays with a few knitting patterns worked into it.
Profile Image for Robyn.
169 reviews15 followers
April 21, 2011
I really enjoyed it. It had a lot of history on knitting in it - and reflections on knitting & life. There were 3 patterns or so in the book, but nothing that I would really knit.
Profile Image for Lorraine.
18 reviews
Read
January 4, 2016
Not into knitting or essays but did enjoy this quick read. How love to meet her think we could be friends.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.