It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons

by Franklin Habit

An affectionate and humorous celebration of every aspect of the craft of knitting, from buying--and hiding--massive quantities of yarn to wrestling with projects that go seriously awry to prescriptions for alleviating the stress brought on by holiday knitting. This witty collection represents a pitch-perfect send up of one of the most rapidly growing hobbies today. Including 75 cartoons, deftly rendered in pen and ink with watercolor wash, and several humorous short essays, every knitter is sure to find elements of themselves in this collection.

Genres: Knitting, Humor, Crafts, Nonfiction, Comics, Graphic Novels, Essays

112 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short book, containing 10 little essays and 75 cartoons. The essays are funny and personal, but considerably more satirical than, for example, the writings of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. (I love Stephanie's books too, but I wanted to make clear that Franklin's stories are very much his own style)

He is a blogger, and his essays and cartoons touch quite heavily on the in-jokes and common discussions in the online knitting community. I think it will still be funny to knitters who don't participate much in the online knitting world, since most of the subjects are well known to all knitters. But I think some of the cartoons holds a little extra resonance for people who have watched a wool vs acrylic argument get deeply and disturbingly out of hand on a knitting forum.

The single funniest of the essays was, in my opinion, the collection of variations on the classic learn-to-knit rhyme: "In through the front door/Run around the back/Peek through the window/And off jumps Jack", including variants for Eco-tourists and Mobsters. I like that kind of strange and clever humor.

Since it is not a technique book, pattern book, or stitch dictionary, I really would not be able to classify this as a "must have", but it's cute and funny. It's an excellent small gift for a secret santa exchange in a knitting group, or other small-gift kind of occasion.

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amusing! This would really only be something that a knitter (or someone who loves a knitter) would enjoy as much as I did, though. Yes, some of the cartoons appeal to non-knitters, and the essays can be fun for people who enjoy other past-times with the intensity that knitters have about their craft. However, to fully enjoy this book, one should understand the hobby behind it, know how easily it can turn into an addiction, and have a stash hidden somewhere in the house. (Mine's in the guest bedroom closet. And in boxes under the bed.)

[Tevilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a knitter helps translates this to the fine art that it is. The cartoons made me laugh out loud and the essays made me grin.

It's like being on the inside of the joke, and that is a fun place to be.

Highly recommended to all knitters.

[Kate Stericker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing and relatable collection of comics and humorous essays. I particularly appreciated the essays with a more personal slant and the author's efforts to subvert the gender stereotypes surrounding knitting.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like knitting humor. That's probably weird.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a Habit fan.

[Kateryna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a knitter but a needlepointer but the jokes still land.

[Dale Meyer-curley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this just to get some knitting-related giggles. I got that in form of one-page cartoons that only a knitter, or a knitter-enabler would love.

There were also some essays that were cute. My favorite essay was from the viewpoint of a poncho knit by a grandmother. It reminded me of some of the handknit and crocheted items I have saved downstairs, including a bright orange-and-white afghan with my name on it. It's now upstairs in my daughter's play area.

I think this would be a great book for a gift for the knitter in your life.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin Habit is one of my favorite knitting humorists. (Yes, there's more than one knitting humorist.) He's funny and clever and sweet and smart. The cartoons are amusing enough, but his short essays are where he shines. Particularly funny is "The Underpants Knitters of Great Fussing-on-the-Wold," while "Advice from a Poncho" is surprisingly poignant. Every obsessive knitter should make Habit a habit.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas and sped through it then. I couldn't remember if I had read all the essays, though, so I picked it up again - and ended up reading the whole thing all over again. This is a giggly book! My 6-year-old son also enjoyed reading the cartoons, and I am a proud, proud mama that he got a lot of the knitting and fiber-related jokes. Great little book - get it!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hilarious little book for knitters, featuring cartoons and humorous essays. Franklin's descriptions of his mother's macrame projects, his own weakness for insanely complex antique patterns, and the insanity of knitters in general are charming and extremely funny. The cartoons are great, too. I hope he does another one!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so if I hadn't met Franklin (who is awesome) when he came to La Crosse earlier this year, I probably only would have given this book 4 stars ... still, a very enjoyable little read (particularly if you're a knitter).

[svm · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've had this on my shelf for a year or longer thinking i had read it but it turns out i hadn't. i'm glad i did. the comics are charming but the essays are WONDERFUL, especially one about a bile green poncho. habit's musings rival pearl-mcphee's so i've placed them side by side on my shelf.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very funny book but will most likely not be understood by non-knitters. Franklin has managed to capture his sense of humor in this little book. I was lucky enough to have met him and he autographed my copy. I still pull it out for giggles now and then.

[Silverluna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin is an amazing writer & cartoonist... I practically rolled on the floor with laughter from his cartoons. At times, these were only funny to a knitter. Or a Knitter's Significant other. I honestly would recommend this book to anyone who wouldn't mind some dry humor! :)

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time, Oct 2016, at a leisurely pace this time; very leisurely, finished Feb 2017. I may even have enjoyed it more the second time. Didn't remember it much after eight years, so it was a real pleasure, again.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these are really very funny. But if you don't knit, you probably will only like the ones about sweaters as gifts.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

cartoons full of lolz for knitters. this would make a great page a day calendar if he has 365 in him!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some are funny. Some are just silly.

[Hellcat Mental · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute-all knitters would enjoy this and it's a quick read!

[Beth]

Quick, amusing read for knitting fanatics

[Diane Isaac Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cartoons are very funny!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of the authors blog, link:

[Beth Levitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Even if you're not a knitter you'll get a kick out of the cartoons. Any knitter will LOVE this book - wonderful essays. A must read.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! How many knitting cartoons can you write? Not so many but they were funny and I liked the essays. Fun little read for knitters.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good for those who knit and get it.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read. Franklin really hits what it means to knit. He even gives us a guy's view to knitting.

[Janet]

A mix of of Franklin's delightful cartoons and his very funny prose.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I'm going to say it. This book had me IN STITCHES!
It was hilarious! What a great gift to give my fellow knitters!