Faerie Knitting: 14 Tales of Love and Magic

by Alice Hoffman, Lisa Hoffman

From New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman and master knitter Lisa Hoffman comes Faerie Knitting , a magical melding of words and yarn where the ordinary is turned into the extraordinary and where imagination becomes creation.

The magic of storytelling and the magic of knitting—woven together in 14 original patterns inspired by each story.

“How fairy tales are told and remembered has a great deal in common with knitting traditions. It is no mistake that we describe storytelling as knitting a tale, or weaving a story, or spinning a yarn.” —Alice Hoffman, from the Introduction of Faerie Knitting

Featuring fourteen original fairy tales, Faerie Knitting is an entrancing collection of stories of love and loss, trust and perseverance. Seamlessly woven into the plot of each tale is a magical garment or accessory inspired by the bravery and self-reliance of the tale’s heroine and brought to life through an imaginative and bespoke knit pattern.

From the Blue Heron Shawl and the Love Never Ending Cowl, to the Three Wishes Mittens and Amulet Necklace, each project is as wearable as it is magical. Lush, atmospheric photography captures the enchanted faerie domain while beautifully rendered charts and instructions are well suited for beginner and advanced knitters alike.

Presented in an elegant linen case with foil accents that evoke the fairy tale tradition, Faerie Knitting is a rare gift for creators—and lovers—of magic.

Genres: Knitting, Fantasy, Crafts, Fiction, Short Stories, Fairy Tales, Reference

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew; The Marriage of Opposites; The Red Garden; The Museum of Extraordinary Things; The Dovekeepers; Here on Earth, an Oprah’s Book Club selection; and the Practical Magic series, including Practical
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCERPT: “How fairy tales are told and remembered has a great deal in common with knitting traditions. It is no mistake that we describe storytelling as knitting a tale, or weaving a story, or spinning a yarn.”—Alice Hoffman, from the Introduction of Faerie Knitting

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Featuring fourteen original fairy tales, Faerie Knitting is an entrancing collection of stories of love and loss, trust and perseverance. Seamlessly woven into the plot of each tale is a magical garment or accessory inspired by the bravery and self-reliance of the tale’s heroine and brought to life through an imaginative and bespoke knit pattern.

From the Blue Heron Shawl and the Love Never Ending Cowl, to the Three Wishes Mittens and Amulet Necklace, each project is as wearable as it is magical. Lush, atmospheric photography captures the enchanted faerie domain while beautifully rendered charts and instructions are well suited for beginner and advanced knitters alike.

MY THOUGHTS: Because I listened to the audiobook of Faerie Knitting, I didn't get the patterns, but not to worry as I knit more for my grandchildren than for myself.

These were traditional fairy-tales, or fables with a moral to each, full of wolves and witches, amulets and magic. I didn't find anything particularly memorable amongst them, in fact they were all pretty much alike. But just as there was nothing memorable, there was nothing to dislike either. Hence my 😊😊.5 rating. A little disappointed, as I usually adore Hoffman's work.

THE AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Rules of Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, Practical Magic, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.

DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Faerie Knitting by Alice Hoffman and her daughter Lisa Hoffman, narrated by January LaVoy, published by Simon and Schuster Audio. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

[Shainlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knitting patterns and stories. Pretty neat. I wish there were a few more patterns for beginning to intermediate knitters.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one for Theresa, Lynne, and Cheryl, and the rest of the knitters! 14 short stories inspired by Russian Fairy Tales, each accompanied by a knitting pattern to make the featured magical item. Co-authored by Alice Hoffman (master author) and Lisa Hoffman (master knitter) together they weave a masterpiece of craft. Loved the short stories and the whole concept.

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually log my craft books as my "read" books as they are not stories ... usually!

This book is an absolute charm as it has fourteen faerie tales each with a knit to go hand in hand with the tale. I devoured it in one afternoon as I sat wrapped up in the wooden seating area my husband built for the garden. The idea was to get some fresh air and try and aid the healing of this bug I have.

I absolutely adored the little stories and their matching knits. Fantastic idea and so lovingly executed!

[Aimee Leonhard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a knitter who loves fairy tales so I thought this would be a wonderful book. It's a good book and maybe my expectations were too high. I didn't love any of the knitting patterns. The Blue Heron shawl on the cover is probably the nicest pattern in the book. Alice Hoffman is an interesting writer and I was looking forward to her tales but while these are very nice, maybe too nice, there is a sameness about them. They are so tidy, there is no sting. They are like vanilla pudding when I was expecting something more like creme brule with whiskey.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s probably been 30 years since I picked up a pair of knitting needles so these patterns are way beyond my level of expertise but the fairy tales are charming.

[Christine]

This is a lovely book that serves not only as a pattern guide but as a reminder that Faerie stories come from within as well as being passed down through the ages. All too often we forget in our times of 'politically correct' and 'historically accurate' that these stories were constantly revised to fit the day that they were being told while remaining true to the lessons within. I love that there are no names associated with these, no major background information or world building, they are just simple tales with simple morals. Some of the morals are a little progressive, and the stories are all set within rural environments (with the occasional city or castle thrown in), but they are still very well written. I love the patterns also, though at my skill level they are mostly beyond me, but they are certainly worth aspiring to complete. One note is that the only pattern that requires sizing, a beautiful sweater, only comes in small, medium, and large, so this is not plus size friendly.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this book generously because I love the concept of linked stories and knitting patterns, and that part was done impressively well. Each pattern and story really did make sense together.

There were a couple of stories I really enjoyed, but most of them I found mediocre. There are also a couple of knitting patterns I would considering using, and several I enjoyed looking at, even if I'm never inspired to make them. (It's also a very pretty book overall!)

All of these stories were 'clean' in a general sense, though some had some implied content, with unfaithful husbands, and of course, some of the typical scary fairy tale villains.

[Miss Syreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful faerie tales paired with knit item. Or probably the reverse, lovely knitted items that inspired the tales!

[Luminea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a thoughtful gift from a friend who knows how much I love both knitting and fairytales. I enjoyed the stories in this book--if anything I wish they were longer, as some of them could really have been fleshed out more fully. There are some beautiful patterns as well that I'm looking forward to making.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful blend of stories and quick knit and bigger knitting projects. This is one I want for my home library.

[Cindy Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read 14 original fairytales by Alice Hoffman- it is rare to read new fairytales, so these were a treat. Each of the stories is linked to some form of knitwear - the characters all interact with the pieces in some way and they are integral to the stories. I have no interest in knitting, but I do love knitwear! The projects were beautifully displayed within magical photography. I always love when images accompany stories, so this book is right up my alley. My favorite stories were about humans who transformed into animals- the blue heron and the mermaid in particular. They are quick stories, but they certainly offer enough details to stir one’s imagination.

[Olga Godim]

DNF
This book is a knitting book. It contains 14 knitting patterns and 14 accompanying original fairy tales by Alice Hoffman, one tale per a pattern. I read three tales, leafed through the entire book to see all the patterns, and stopped. I wasn't interested in any of the patterns, and I didn't like the tales. The best thing about this book was the illustrations. They were truly beautiful.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a delightful concept--a collection of original fairy tales with knitting patterns to match. I really enjoyed reading these tales, and I loved the variety in the knitting patterns. The patterns are suitable for a variety of levels of knitters as well. I saved a couple of patterns that I definitely intend to knit up one of these weekends.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but enjoyable and knitting patterns too!

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book.

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a knitter, but I read this for the fairy tales and they were okay. Got me out of my weeks long book slump at least (the only books I've been able to complete are audiobooks).

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library, and read all 14 tales in one sitting. I then read one of the best stories aloud to the most magical person I know and proceeded to order a copy of this book for myself. Are all the stories perfect? No...but the handful that are make up for those that lack.

[Alicia O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun concept to me. I don’t knit, but I do like fairy tales. The tales were originals and all quick reads.

[Coriander · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dottie]

some cute ideas!!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing and stories were fab, but the patterns were not my style.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The knit patterns are mostly cool. The stories, sadly, meh.

[Maureen Gianinio · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Fairytale composition and knitting!

These were truly entertaining short tales. All are composed in original faerie tale format. All revolve around a problem resolved, karma delivered, or an evil defeated through an item the heroines knitted and the magic from them. Along with the tales are directions on how to knit the item made in it.

[Anne Seebach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars. This book itself is very attractively presented, and is a charmingly pretty concept - which possibly influences my extra half star. The stories and the illustrations are whimsical and easy to digest, but I did very much feel they lacked that dark sting one expects of a really good fairy tale. I think perhaps the stories felt a little too distant and misty... and 'nice'. Still, a pleasant afternoon read, and I enjoyed picking out the patterns I'd most like to inveigle a knitting friend to make for me.

[Anniken Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

I discovered Alice Hoffman in 2020, and I have been a knitter for most of my life, and so I thought that this book would be just right for me. I loved the idea of knitting something inspired by fairytales, and I thought the Hoffman-ladies must make a great creative team!

Unfortunately, that was not my experience of this book. The cover is beautiful, and there are some nice patterns in this book, but nothing amazing. All the patterns were rather pedestrian, if you ask me, and some even seemed un-finished or rushed. Like the hood, that was just a random hood but nothing more. I think if you combine some of the patterns, they might make a good, wearable piece, but alone, most of them seemed… well, as I said, unfinished.

Then there were the stories. They were rather repetitive and uninspiring, as well, not to mention they felt rushed and some of them didn’t make any sense at all. And some were the same stories but with new elements. Or the same elements but just a new setting/thing to knit.

I was left rather uninspired by the whole book, unfortunately. There were so many possibilities for them to make something amazing, and instead it was just filled with boring things.
The only reason I’m not giving this book a 1/5 star rating is because some of the patterns were ok. I made the Lilac Tree Scarf for my bonus-mother as a Solstice gift, and am considering making it for a lot of other family-members for next Solstice. Part of that is that it is very simple, even if it looks pretty, which is the general mood of this whole book, to be honest!

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faerie Knitting is a fusion of words and knitting. Created by an author, Alice Hoffman, and her cousinf Lisa Hoffman, who's a professional knitting teacher, it was a delightful book for those who love written word and crafts.

I admit that as far as crafts go, I prefer crocheting to knitting, so I picked up this book mostly because Alice Hoffman is one of my favourite authors. But I adored the stories and the knitting projects that went together with them. As the author mentioned in the foreword, sometimes the stories were influenced by an idea for a knitting item and sometimes the items were influenced by the stories, and I found that they fit together wonderfully.

The knitting projects are quite fanciful and whimsical, because of the book's fantasy theme, but I like it that they might as well be comfortably worn or adapted to our everyday lives. And the tales are as wonderful as any Alice Hoffman's stories. They have the atmosphere of the old fairytales that I read as a child and I almost wished that some of them were turned into longer stories. Their common element was knitting, but they were all unique and interesting.

For now, my rating for this book is mostly for the stories, because I haven't approached any of th knitting projects yet. But as soon as I re-learn how to knit (it's been many years since I last tried it!), I want to try some of them and I will report back with my impressions. :)

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't expect the faerie tales within this knitting book - I skipped them, despite their being pretty short. So this is purely about the knitting patterns which run the gamut from charming (the Charm Bags, natch) to clunky (Invisible Hood). The Brokenhearted Vest is an intriguing shape and construction, and sparks ideas of how to make it work better for my body shape, but ultimately, nothing in this book calls for me to pick up my knitting needles. Beautiful photography and book design and interesting idea to pair short story and garment pattern.

[Pamela Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faerie Knitting is a collection of stories of love, loss, trust and perseverance. Woven into the plot of each tale is a garment or accessory inspired by the tale’s heroine along with an original pattern to make the garment for yourself.

I read this book in about an hour. The stories, while well written and sweet, are all super short and oversimplified. I used to love to knit but I haven’t had the time to knit in about three years. It’s a hobby that I would love to return to and there are a couple of patterns in this book that I may try soon.

If you enjoy knitting and fantasy tales then you’d probably really enjoy this book. Personally, I would’ve preferred the stories to be a tad longer with a bit more plot.

“Writing and knitting share many elements in creating “whole cloth” out of imagination.”

#PamelaReads2021 #FaerieKnitting #StoriesAndPatterns #110BooksIn2021 #ReadingChallenge2021

[Kristen McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cherish my copy of Faerie Knitting: 14 Tales of Love and Magic by Alice Hoffman and Lisa Hoffman. Imagine my delight once I heard that my all-time favorite novelist was collaborating with her knitting expert cousin to create this special book full of fantasy, romance, and knitting patterns!

This is the perfect special knitting book selection for your BFF… my best friend adores hers! When I gifted it to her, she didn’t have it yet, but already knew about it from their previous collaborations in Faerie Magazine. She’s both a knitter and a librarian, so it’s pretty tough to spring a new knitting book on her, ha!

I knitted up the little Charm Bag, which is perhaps the most beginning level and quickest knit in the book. I look forward to knitting up their gorgeous Blue Heron Shawl featured on the cover. Their Seventh Sister Capelet and River Girl Stockings will probably get made first, as they both look a little bit faster to knit up.