Knitting Ephemera: A Compendium of Articles, Useful and Otherwise, for the Edification and Amusement of the Handknitter

by Carol J. Sulcoski

Did you know that knitting burns 102 calories per hour? Or that November is national Knit a Sweater month? Or that there are more sheep than people in New Zealand, Australia, and Iceland? These fun facts and many more make up Knitting Ephemera , a treasury of trivia for knitting enthusiasts. Containing 300 entries, this informative collection covers everything from knitting’s appearances in history, literature, folklore, and pop culture to little-known facts about wool, sheep, and fiber producers. Helpful tips and techniques are included, as well as tidbits on crochet, spinning, and weaving. With illuminating illustrations throughout, Knitting Ephemera will entertain knitters and needlecrafters everywhere.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

136 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2016

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that before there were cowls and wristers, there were Antimacassars, Matinee Coats, Semmits, Fascinators, Polkas, Berthes, Cephelines, Balaclavas, Paletots, and Muffetees? And that each of these will be entertainingly explained early on in this amazing and informative book, opposite a line up of Sheep-y Factoids, one of which is: "Sheep have good memories.Some scientists estimate they can remember people or events for up to two years".

I didn't know any of that, and I am very glad that I do, now.
Knitting Ephemera is 130 pages of wonderful, if you are in the least interested in knitting. If you were not interested in knitting, you definitely will be, after reading this superfun, factual, and entertaining book. Are you intrigued by the history of knitting? As the author says on the back cover, "the first knitting needles were made from copper wire and were used in Arabian and Mediterranean countries", Are you curious about the Mythical lore of knitting? Once again, from the back cover: "Residents of West Virginia have reported sightings of a giant white shaggy beast known as SHEEPSQUATCH.
That is just way too close to where I live.
The examples of the practical facts concerning knitting ( the example of which...well, you just have to get the book and read this for yourself--it's eyepopping!), as well as the cultural aspects of knitting (did you know that Morticia Addams. Liz Lemon, and Holly GoLightly are all characters from television and film who knit?) are bits of info which shine, reflecting how much work and love the author has put into this book.
The reader can't open this book without stopping immediately to read whatever information is offered on any given page. The layout makes it possible to do this without any frustration. It is very pretty, and there are a number of decorations and photos which add to the book's charm. You will be learning about "the real stuff" (for example, see Terms Used to Describe Yarn Color Effects, or the Knitting Needle Conversion Chart, which converts US to Metric), the odd and fascinating ("Author Hans Christian Anderson wrote a fairy tale called "The Darning Needle" about a, well, a darning needle who fancied herself a bit above her station and came to a bad end" and "What 1980's toy was immortalized in a Vogue Knitting Pattern Feature? --Cabbage Patch Kids. The Fall/Winter 1985 Vogue Knitting featured matching clothing patterns for both girl and doll: a stylish snowflake ski sweater, an Aran cardi with matching hat, and a cardigan/vest/skirt/tam combo). The history is truly engrossing ("Prior to the 17th century, the Merino industry was so important in Spain that exporting a Merino Sheep was an offense punishable by death.") And what is going on in the present is very cool too, The author lists the top 10 knitting projects as measured by appearing the most times as an ongoing project in users' Ravelry queues. She ever has solutions for some of us who come less naturally to knitting. I loved the presentation of tips to help in the following of knitting charts, meant for me and possibly for you as well.
Perhaps you belong to a knitting group. Everyone is going to want a copy of this funny, informative, uniquely appealing, downright fabulous book. Makes a lovely gift for your crafty friends as well as for you. Be prepared to lend it out--you will all find something special about Knitting Ephemera.

[Gail Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small volume with entries that are no more than a third of a page would cause one to wonder why it took so long for me to read through less than 150 pages. Dipping into the “bon mots” on knitting, sheep, weaving, sweaters, socks, spinning...quotes, and all sorts of factoids relating to knitting ( and actually all crafts that have to do with any topic even slightly related to knitting) was a thing that often started or ended my day. Many are thought provoking, some are funny, and lots are curiosities. Just an amusement for the mind...and without an investment of time and energy beyond a few minutes a day!

[Nancy Svinicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's some fun facts and tidbits in this book, but for the most part I skimmed it. There's no logic or organization to the topics and facts discussed. The pages are really beautifully varied and fun to look at, but I would have really appreciated the information be organized at least by topic. It made it chaotic and confusing to read, and I don't feel like I really got anything out of the book.

[Melissa Croy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is DELIGHTFUL! Just what I was looking for. I’ve been knitting for 27 years and have always been a knitting history buff. I learned so much! Love this book! Will definitely reach for time and time again.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of cool info. Read a few pages every day.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

a nice read on the history and different things about knitting! You also get a list of
celebrities who knit

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun facts about knitting.

[Alys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light fiber related reading. Fun little book.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light little book with lots of interesting facts and stories about knitting and knitters and bits and bobs.

[SmartBitches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Knitting Ephemera: A Compendium of Articles, Useful and Otherwise, for the Edification and Amusement of the Handknitter by Carol J. Sulcoski is a delightful little gift book that’s perfect for knitters, crocheters, and fiber enthusiasts. It’s basically what I refer to as a “bathroom book,” a book made up of small tidbits of information that I’m more inclined to peruse for a few minutes at a time and then put down, rather than reading straight through.

Sulcoski offers factoids about the history of knitting and spinning yarns, the science behind wool-related animal husbandry, knitting in popular culture and literature, and all kinds of other tidbits. There’s a copy of a letter Sarah Phelps of Groton, NH, sent to President Lincoln along with a pair of hand-knit socks and her deepest wishes to see slavery abolished. There are also helpful explanations of knitting acronyms and terms. There’s even a list of murder mysteries featuring knitting.

It didn’t take me long to read so I didn’t get a lot of bang for my buck (a male rabbit is a buck–more trivia from this book), but I loved Knitting Ephemera and will be buying more copies for gifts in the future.

- Elyse

[Fernleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of random knitting, yarn and fiber facts.

[Alaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally wonderful book of knitting (and crochet) information for the die-hard and semi die-hard handknitters and crocheters. A very great birthday or any other occasion gift for those that are into these hobbies/crafts.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem of a mini coffee table book was a joy to read. From a brief history of knitting (and crochet) to funny antidotal stories to quizzes to helpful tidbits, this book truly had it all. A joy to read for any fiber enthusiast.

[Catherine Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun little book full of knitting trivia.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of knitting facts and miscellaneous information. As a hand knitter I found this book interesting and highly recommend it to my fellow knitters.

[Jacob Seifert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just fun.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining collection of interesting factotums.

[Vanessa Pillay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect bus reading. Not very funny, but informative!

[Emmalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically a bunch of factoids.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun interesting read but most is common knowledge of knitters.

[Annis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book to skim! Passed on to another knitting friend of mine now.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gift from Chelsea. I found it absolutely delightful. It just has little factoids and tidbits, so it was easy to pick up and put down.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ephemera is a good word to describe this book. Full of random and sometimes interesting tidbits in a very very small font.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knitting ephemera, a compendium of articles, useful and otherwise_ for the edification and amusement of the handknitter by Sulcoski_ Carol
Loved learning about knitting, the fun facts. So many things to read about that are fun.
Sad to learn there is no patron saint for knitters. Facts about longest knitting needles and crochet hooks
Before coverings of today there is discussion of what was worn and their names. I've knit many of the older things and still do today: muffattees.
Wow lit knitting needles during first world war and 2nd. Put yarn through needle gauge to determine the size needles-great tip!
Silly jokes LOL
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definitive bathroom book for knitters, jam packed with snippets of information to entertain the otherwise occupied knitter.