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No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting
"Fascinating . . . What is remarkable about this book is that a history of knitting can function so well as a survey of the changes in women's roles over time."--The New York Times Book Review
An historian and lifelong knitter, Anne Macdonald expertly guides readers on a revealing tour of the history of knitting in America. In No Idle Hands, Macdonald considers how the necessity--and the pleasure--of knitting has shaped women's lives.
Here is the Colonial woman for whom idleness was a sin, and her Victorian counterpart, who enjoyed the pleasure of knitting while visiting with friends; the war wife eager to provide her man with warmth and comfort, and the modern woman busy creating fashionable handknits for herself and her family. Macdonald examines each phase of American history and gives us a clear and compelling look at life, then and now. And through it all, we see how knitting has played an important part in the way society has viewed women--and how women have viewed themselves.
Assembled from articles in magazines, knitting brochures, newspaper clippings and other primary sources, and featuring reproductions of advertisements, illustrations, and photographs from each period, No Idle Hands capture the texture of women's domestic lives throughout history with great wit and insight.
"Colorful and revealing . . . vivid . . . This book will intrigue needlewomen and students of domestic history alike."--The Washington Post Book World
An historian and lifelong knitter, Anne Macdonald expertly guides readers on a revealing tour of the history of knitting in America. In No Idle Hands, Macdonald considers how the necessity--and the pleasure--of knitting has shaped women's lives.
Here is the Colonial woman for whom idleness was a sin, and her Victorian counterpart, who enjoyed the pleasure of knitting while visiting with friends; the war wife eager to provide her man with warmth and comfort, and the modern woman busy creating fashionable handknits for herself and her family. Macdonald examines each phase of American history and gives us a clear and compelling look at life, then and now. And through it all, we see how knitting has played an important part in the way society has viewed women--and how women have viewed themselves.
Assembled from articles in magazines, knitting brochures, newspaper clippings and other primary sources, and featuring reproductions of advertisements, illustrations, and photographs from each period, No Idle Hands capture the texture of women's domestic lives throughout history with great wit and insight.
"Colorful and revealing . . . vivid . . . This book will intrigue needlewomen and students of domestic history alike."--The Washington Post Book World
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 22, 2009
The insights into the motivations of US knitters through time were enough to keep me reading this book. Anne Macdonald tackles a difficult topic in a way that is both academic and engaging. For myself, a steady though not productive knitter, it sparked many reflections on the task of knitting, its trendiness, and its stigma.
This book caused me to reflect on how absolutely anonymous knitted works are. A well-knit item could have been knit by any experienced knitter. There is no way for an individual to sign the work itself. Instead some sort of written tag must be found or some entry in a contest or diary. What does that say to knitters today who seek accomplishment through finishing hand knit projects to give or use? In modern society are we content with anonymous output, private admiration, and simply the joy in a project well done? It is funny to me that many people knit today to challenge the machine produced world. They want uniqueness, something that few others have. They want to prove they can knit a sweater, a bag, a scarf. This is so tied into ego that it seems completely at odds with the absolute anonymity of the task.
I found it interesting that in the early chapters, there was very little documentation or complaint of poor quality knitted items. Yet, later chapters especially around WWI and WWII found that many items donated to the war effort had to be reknit. The doing of knitting became more important than the quality of the finished project. This seems to parallel the gradual replacement of knitting as something necessary with knitting as a symbol of femaleness, playing a role, doing one's duty to family and society. It was not hard for me to see in this book how the attitude that many of my friends have that knitting is old fashioned, stigmatizing woman's work came in to being.
My favorite part of the book is reflected in its title -- no idle hands. The idea that busyness is part of a full, interesting, productive life. So much of modern life is striving toward leisure, not doing, relaxing, passivity that the appeal of busyness gets devalued. I enjoy knitting because it is busyness for my mind and for my hands. And this book connects me to all those other women who knit through necessity, through sadness, through joy, busy in our history.
This book caused me to reflect on how absolutely anonymous knitted works are. A well-knit item could have been knit by any experienced knitter. There is no way for an individual to sign the work itself. Instead some sort of written tag must be found or some entry in a contest or diary. What does that say to knitters today who seek accomplishment through finishing hand knit projects to give or use? In modern society are we content with anonymous output, private admiration, and simply the joy in a project well done? It is funny to me that many people knit today to challenge the machine produced world. They want uniqueness, something that few others have. They want to prove they can knit a sweater, a bag, a scarf. This is so tied into ego that it seems completely at odds with the absolute anonymity of the task.
I found it interesting that in the early chapters, there was very little documentation or complaint of poor quality knitted items. Yet, later chapters especially around WWI and WWII found that many items donated to the war effort had to be reknit. The doing of knitting became more important than the quality of the finished project. This seems to parallel the gradual replacement of knitting as something necessary with knitting as a symbol of femaleness, playing a role, doing one's duty to family and society. It was not hard for me to see in this book how the attitude that many of my friends have that knitting is old fashioned, stigmatizing woman's work came in to being.
My favorite part of the book is reflected in its title -- no idle hands. The idea that busyness is part of a full, interesting, productive life. So much of modern life is striving toward leisure, not doing, relaxing, passivity that the appeal of busyness gets devalued. I enjoy knitting because it is busyness for my mind and for my hands. And this book connects me to all those other women who knit through necessity, through sadness, through joy, busy in our history.
November 21, 2024
ngl, this felt a little sympathetic to the confederates. 2.5
April 10, 2008
This book was chock full o' interesting subject matter, but was written just like every one of my undergrad and graduate papers:
Statement. 12 quotes you've dug up in support of said statement. Closing sentence for paragraph (in rather formal language) that tries to be witty but doesn't usually succeed, such as, "Surely they had had enough!"
Repeat 129830198490814 times. There was much discussion of wartime knitting, something near and dear to my heart. We're not knitting for the guys who are in the desert right now, but I understand that pressing urge to do anything and everything you can for the men who are fighting in foreign lands! I would recommend this book very highly as a research tool, and also for casual perusal. You may not want to read it cover-to-cover as I did -- it took forever.
Statement. 12 quotes you've dug up in support of said statement. Closing sentence for paragraph (in rather formal language) that tries to be witty but doesn't usually succeed, such as, "Surely they had had enough!"
Repeat 129830198490814 times. There was much discussion of wartime knitting, something near and dear to my heart. We're not knitting for the guys who are in the desert right now, but I understand that pressing urge to do anything and everything you can for the men who are fighting in foreign lands! I would recommend this book very highly as a research tool, and also for casual perusal. You may not want to read it cover-to-cover as I did -- it took forever.
July 22, 2012
The book is a fairly interesting look at the social history of hand-knitting in America, if a bit simplistic (although this is an abridged version so it is unclear if that is a problem with the original). For instance, one thing I noticed in this book is that every few decades (or even every decade in the early 20th century) it seemed like there was this major declaration by the fashion powers that be that knitting was popular again, that suddenly there was a rush of knitting. It struck me as curious that knitting could be revived from near death seemingly every other decade, and that perhaps knitting never actually went away, but perception of it waxed and waned. I would have enjoyed a more critical examination of those sorts of things. However, this is an overview of a large subject so I won't fault it too much.
However, as much as I basically liked the book, the narration was awful. The narrator felt the need to employ these peculiarly twee and breathy accents when reading letters and diaries. The letters by Southern women were the worst. Hand to God, every southern woman does not speak in a breathless fluttery voice like some particularly bad Scarlet O'Hara impression.
Overall, I recommend anyone interested in the topic read the book rather than listen to it. It's a pretty good book.
However, as much as I basically liked the book, the narration was awful. The narrator felt the need to employ these peculiarly twee and breathy accents when reading letters and diaries. The letters by Southern women were the worst. Hand to God, every southern woman does not speak in a breathless fluttery voice like some particularly bad Scarlet O'Hara impression.
Overall, I recommend anyone interested in the topic read the book rather than listen to it. It's a pretty good book.
September 5, 2011
Understand that I'm not far enough into reading on this subject to speak to the quality of Macdonald's research, but she certainly makes a lot of compelling arguments and writes an excellent narrative about the shape of knitting in American history. The section about the Great Depression is particularly interesting. It's a good read for historians and knitters alike.
(At the end): I really loved this book--wish it had been published more recently, or updated to include the way that knitting has just exploded over the last decade or so. We're not up to the Great Depression level of knitting, but 1.5 million people on Ravelry is quite telling! Highly recommended for people who want to know the social history of knitting.
(At the end): I really loved this book--wish it had been published more recently, or updated to include the way that knitting has just exploded over the last decade or so. We're not up to the Great Depression level of knitting, but 1.5 million people on Ravelry is quite telling! Highly recommended for people who want to know the social history of knitting.
November 10, 2019
I enjoyed every minute of this carefully researched compendium of American Knitting. I had not realized that knitting socks has been a rallying cry for American Women since the Revolution. I'd only been aware of the issue in WWII.
This was the perfect first summer read: a scholarly tome, written by a HS English teacher, who acknowledges the HS librarians. Written in the '80s, it is a bit dated, but I loved every minute of this book. Not for the faint of heart! Print
This was the perfect first summer read: a scholarly tome, written by a HS English teacher, who acknowledges the HS librarians. Written in the '80s, it is a bit dated, but I loved every minute of this book. Not for the faint of heart! Print
August 6, 2015
As a knitter and feminist, this book was a fascinating history of Women in America as viewed through the lens of Knitting. I was constantly telling other people about what I had found reading this book.
It looses steam a bit somewhat towards the end, but a wonderful if dense read!
It looses steam a bit somewhat towards the end, but a wonderful if dense read!
February 8, 2019
I found this book to be very interesting and enlightening. History and knitting interwoven. I had not been aware that at various times in history knitting was a necessity---even a life saver. This book was given to me by a wonderful grandson and I am deeply grateful that he got it for me.
May 3, 2020
I was really fascinated by this book! It was written in the 1980s so not exactly current, but the colonial to WWII stuff is great.
November 22, 2015
I know this book would bore most people, but I took my time and really enjoyed it. It was fascinating to see the social history of knitting and to understand how we came to be where we are today. I love to knit and have knitted from the 1960s as a small child, again in my college years in the late 1970s, some of my career years in the 1980s, and now to my more leisurely middle age years in the 2000s...just as she states - every generation produces another crop of knitters with their own reasons to knit. While it was a necessity in the beginning of America through the World War II, now we are going back to "slow fashion" and knitting is once again popular. I learned a lot so I give this book five stars. It even made me start knitting my one inch daily just like the children of yesteryear!
April 6, 2017
I love this kind of social history, and this did not disappoint. It's gotten me seeing knitting everywhere (even in the historical drama we were watching last night!), and thinking about knitting a bunch. I like the anecdotal nature, and seeing the way that knitting fits into historical events. Unfortunately, this was written 25 years ago, before the current resurgence in popularity, so it ends on a bit of a down note (she seems to be pleading, "But it will get popular again!" and it has. It would be interesting to read more about those swings in popularity as well.). Probably mostly of interest to knitters, but people interested in women's history or domestic history may like it too.
July 7, 2011
Super interesting book. I listened to it the abridged version which was a bit of a bummer. Apparently other editions include pictures of women knitting and excerpts from magazines and newspapers with pattern information (although no full patterns).
Based on journal entries and other historical documents, this is the story of knitting in America from the colonial period up to the 1980s. It really grounds the act of knitting in the history of the time, including the politics, fashion trends, wars, and the expanding rights of women.
I want to make some golf socks!
Based on journal entries and other historical documents, this is the story of knitting in America from the colonial period up to the 1980s. It really grounds the act of knitting in the history of the time, including the politics, fashion trends, wars, and the expanding rights of women.
I want to make some golf socks!
December 24, 2016
Think of this book in three parts. The first third is the social history of knitting. Very interesting particularly if you are a knitter. (Not sure why a non-knitter would even pick up this book.). The second third is filled with anecdotes from knitters across the nation, about their personal experiences with knitting. Somewhat interesting, but not riveting. The last third is notes and references for the preceding chapters. Not interesting.
July 5, 2009
I love nonfiction history - particularly women's history - and this is a dense, fascinating read if you are interested in the social aspects of knitting in America. It actually made me proud to be a knitter and a textile crafter - in a world that no longer "needs" handmade fibers, but once very much did, it was eye-opening to read about how knitting has been a truly revolutionary act.
April 9, 2012
I was a little disappointed that the book only goes up to the 1980s. I would love to read an updated version that includes the most recent revival of knitting among hip 20 somethings.
December 25, 2018
Fun to read because I love to knit, and the social history is fascinating.
December 11, 2025
I learned how to knit when I was 12 and took to it immediately. I’ve picked it up again in the last 5 years and then learned to crochet this last year. So, naturally, I was drawn to this book when I saw it on my library’s shelf whilst browsing for a crochet basics book.
This book covers the social history of knitting from the American Revolutionary War up through the author’s present, the 1980s. It was very interesting but the writing style was not my cup of tea so it took me almost 5 months and multiple library renewals to finish this book.
The most notable takeaways for me:
- A woman who slipped war secrets to George Washington by putting them inside her yarn ball and dropping it in front of his army as they marched past
- So much knitting for soldiers in every war
- Knitting’s popularity surged and dips, but it’s a skill that will likely never die because it’s about more than just making things. It truly calms the nerves and relaxes the mind.
Text to text connection: Molly McIntire the American Girl knits for the soldiers in World War II! (See book 2: Molly Learns a Lesson)
2.5 stars because I’m into the premise of the book and the content but the delivery was kind of boring and long-winded.
This book covers the social history of knitting from the American Revolutionary War up through the author’s present, the 1980s. It was very interesting but the writing style was not my cup of tea so it took me almost 5 months and multiple library renewals to finish this book.
The most notable takeaways for me:
- A woman who slipped war secrets to George Washington by putting them inside her yarn ball and dropping it in front of his army as they marched past
- So much knitting for soldiers in every war
- Knitting’s popularity surged and dips, but it’s a skill that will likely never die because it’s about more than just making things. It truly calms the nerves and relaxes the mind.
Text to text connection: Molly McIntire the American Girl knits for the soldiers in World War II! (See book 2: Molly Learns a Lesson)
2.5 stars because I’m into the premise of the book and the content but the delivery was kind of boring and long-winded.
September 29, 2018
This book was fascinating. Reading it was much like knitting (or, like reading the 21st century iteration of this book: knitting blogger “The Knitting Harlot’s” work.) Soothing, satisfying, a touchstone to other times in history... and also, because it is a scholarly work of history, a terrific study of women’s roles throughout American history.
Rather like when I knit, I read it in bursts of zeal and then put it down for long stretches, for about the same reasons (presence of small child toddling underfoot.) I’m going to treasure this hard-to-find volume because like knitting, even if it doesn’t seem in vogue right this second (now I’ve finished it) doesn’t mean it’s time won’t come back around (do I, like so many of the author’s interviewees, hope said small child will someday be interested? Of course.)
Rather like when I knit, I read it in bursts of zeal and then put it down for long stretches, for about the same reasons (presence of small child toddling underfoot.) I’m going to treasure this hard-to-find volume because like knitting, even if it doesn’t seem in vogue right this second (now I’ve finished it) doesn’t mean it’s time won’t come back around (do I, like so many of the author’s interviewees, hope said small child will someday be interested? Of course.)
November 14, 2022
Full disclosure: I could not bring myself to finish this, despite my love of both social histories and knitting. I’m putting it down in the hopes of picking it up again in the future, perhaps in a different format.
Macdonald does a beautiful job of painting a picture of wartime knitting, and the anecdotes within those chapters were delightful. Though many things have changed over the years, many others have stayed the same — patriotism, teenage crushes and the drama surrounding them, and grandma wisdom, to name a few.
Though I found some aspects of the work fascinating, I was quickly bogged down by the feeling that I was in undergrad all over again. Buckle up, because you’re in for moments of dense academia and repetition.
Macdonald does a beautiful job of painting a picture of wartime knitting, and the anecdotes within those chapters were delightful. Though many things have changed over the years, many others have stayed the same — patriotism, teenage crushes and the drama surrounding them, and grandma wisdom, to name a few.
Though I found some aspects of the work fascinating, I was quickly bogged down by the feeling that I was in undergrad all over again. Buckle up, because you’re in for moments of dense academia and repetition.
November 1, 2025
For what it is, this is excellent. A jaunty, lightly-toned, and humorous (while still thorough and academic) examination of knitting in America over the centuries. It definitely is a product of the 80's. That said, I'd love an update to this text which goes into more depth around Indigenous creators, knitting during slavery and by Black people, basically a less white and affluent perspective. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned a ton.
December 22, 2019
A compact history of knitting in America
MacDonald traces knitting through U.S. History generation by generation and through war and peace. It's interesting and gratifying for those of us who knit to see how much knitting has influenced history. This writing ends in the early 1990s and I wish MacDonald would give us an update.
MacDonald traces knitting through U.S. History generation by generation and through war and peace. It's interesting and gratifying for those of us who knit to see how much knitting has influenced history. This writing ends in the early 1990s and I wish MacDonald would give us an update.
July 3, 2020
A great book in dire need of an update. The final chapter talks of the promise modern technology such as video cassettes hold for knitting - what would the author make of the Internet and Ravelry? Did later wars also inspire knitting? (see the small knitting craze after Australia's forest fires) I'd also love a book like this about my own region.
October 19, 2023
US and Social history with knitting as the backdrop. Very interesting. Long book with a lot of examples and a bibliography. Actually I'm going to order my own copy since I've renewed this three times already!
December 28, 2024
This book is so good! It was so interesting to read about the history of knitting in the US. The pictures were amazing and well selected. The only thing I didn’t get was why everyone in the past hated turning sock heels so much because I find turning a heel one of life’s greatest pleasures.
February 19, 2025
DNF around 100 pages in. I got bored. It's technically well written. English is used correctly for a nice change. But it's very dry, and I simply don't feel the need to power through a dry book after a lot of years of part-time college. I've done my bit.
October 15, 2017
Reads like a textbook - but much more interesting than anything I've had to read for school!
Lots of wonderful insight to this beloved craft. Great photos!
Lots of wonderful insight to this beloved craft. Great photos!
June 11, 2018
I really enjoyed reading about the history of knitting in America, especially the social aspect of it, from simple knitting circles to the war effort.
March 5, 2019
Interesting information, but I was kind of hoping for a better spun yarn.
September 27, 2021
B+. nonfiction, knitting history, informative and enjoyable, from Ellen, keep
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews