knitting stories

by Sylvia Olsen

Companion volume to Working With Wool from 2010.Master storyteller and expert knitter's essay collection is both personal and political,historical and practical.Includes 7 stunning Coast Salish-inspired knitting patterns.

Genres: Knitting

120 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Sylvia Olsen is a writer and public speaker living on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. She is the author of several picture books, a number of first readers and novels for young adults and one non fiction—so far. Most of all she is a mother and grandmother and aunty to dozens of nieces and nephews.

Sylvia has spent most of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. Because Sylvia is non native and her children are of mixed heritage most of her stories are about the place—the time—the experience of where different sorts of people come together. That’s one of the things that interests her the most. It’s one of the things she knows the most about—and like many authors—Sylvia writes about what she knows.

Her newest books are: a historical fiction set in the Gulf Islands called Counting on Hope (Sono Nis, Fall 2009) and A Different Game (Orca Books, Spring 2010). She is currently working on an adult non fiction and dreaming up a new story for a Young Adult novel (making it up is her favourite part of the writing process).

Writing is Sylvia’s most important hobby. She also loves to draw, sew, knit and design clothing. Her ‘real’ job is in housing. Her career, her dedication and her passion are to make sure everyone has a healthy place to live.

Reviews

[Diane Schuller]

Knitters will certainly appreciate this book. Not only does Sylvia Olsen share 7 lovely patterns with us but she tells us some lovely stories about her experiences with her family and community of Cowichan knitters. In those stories we learn more of the history of the Cowichan sweaters and those who knit them. Olsen also shares some other useful knitting tips with the reader. This is NOT a how-to book, however, but an enjoyable telling of stories combined with some easy and lovely Cowichan-inspired knit projects.

Particularly if you are interested in Cowichan sweater knitting and reading its history in a simple straight forward way, through stories, you will enjoy this book. And you'll be wanting to knit some (or maybe all) of those lovely Cowichan-inspired projects.

My two favourite projects are her skirt and the classic Cowichan-inspired Infinity scarf. But I also plan to make the pretty mirror-image ladies pullover -- it looks very stylish.


(I've given a high star rating but bear in mind this is 4-star rating for knitters or those interested in knitting and/or Cowichan knitting.)

[Kimberly]

As anyone knows who follows knows I rarely give 5 stars. That's perfection and really is there perfection in writing? No there is not unless one is writing a book about knitting. Sylvia Olsen has written a wonderful book about Coast Salish Knitters and even included patterns. I love it that she has a hard time with patterns and continues to knit and design. I love it when 2 of my life loves come together, knitting and reading. I will be making a skirt and a sweater from the patterns in this marvelous book. If you knit read this book. If you don't knit, read this book, you may be a knitter yet!

[Beverly]

There's a container of yarn on a shelf at my place waiting to be knit up into a Cowichan-style sweater. Although I have a few patterns, nothing has jumped out at me. I can't remember how I learned about this book but I borrowed it from the library in hopes of finding just the right pattern. What I found were some wonderful stories and a number of patterns for Coast Salish - inspired pieces. I also found a "pattern" for a genuine Cowichan-style sweater. Now I just need to decide on a geometic pattern and motif.

[Madelyn Hall]

This book, with its beautiful photographs of knitted garments, made me want to unpack my knitting needles and create something! It is a book to read in an hour or two, and a book to linger over and puzzle out the designs and directions. I loved the stories about the First Nation BC knitters, men and women alike, and the differences in their styles and craft. As a child, I had always wanted a Cowichan sweater, sold on the roadside between Swartz Bay and Victoria, BC. I still want one!

[Patricia]

Such an excellent book. We learn more of the history of the Cowichan sweaters/knitters plus there are seven patterns and lots of tips that will be helpful in knitting in general. There is an outline on how to construct a CS.

[Maureen]

I was reading this book just before I went to a workshop with the author. The background of cowichan sweater knitting in BC is fascinating. And the patterns included in the book are a bonus. I actually ended up buying the book.

[Sue K]

Can't wait to try a couple of the partterns

[April Dickinson]

I was excited to read a book that blended my love of knitting with my desire to learn about the Indigenous people of my region, the Coast Salish people. Then I was disappointed to learn this book was actually written by a white lady. Then I was so moved by the author’s respect and reverence for the Coast Salish people, their work, and their traditions. The way Olsen describes the “pattern” for the Cowichan sweater actually brought tears to my eyes. This is an absolutely lovely and beautiful book. I look forward to reading Working with Wool next.

[Mary]

What a lovely book! Easy to read - Sylvia Olsen is a storyteller! I finished the book in a few days and was struck with the power of her insights into the makers, poverty, and creativity.