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Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off: The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting
Cast off with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee on the ultimate journey through the knitter’s world. Pack your crafting bag, chart a course to the nearest yarn shop, and pick your traveling companion by looking for the telltale needle holes in her purse. With wry humor and a contagiously obsessive love for everything knitted, Pearl-McPhee takes you on a hilarious tour of the Land of Knitting and introduces you to the wacky, wonderful people that choose to inhabit it.
218 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2007
43 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
9 books567 followersStephanie Pearl-McPhee (better known as the Yarn Harlot) is a prolific knitter, writer and blogger known for her humorous but always insightful anecdotes and stories about knitting triumphs and tragedies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
September 9, 2013
I'm sharing this quote because it perfectly sums up knitting for me:
"It turns out that knitting isn't about the yarn or the softness or needing a hat (although we really can't argue with these secondary motivators). It's really about this: Knitting is a magic trick. In this day and age, in a world where science and technology take more and more wonder and work out of our lives , and our planet is quickly becoming a place running out of magic, a knitter takes silly, useless string, mundane sticks, waves her hands around (many, many times...nobody said this was fast magic), and turns one thing into another: string into a hat, string into a sweater, string into a blanket for a baby. It really is a very reliable magic."
Yep. That's precisely it.
"It turns out that knitting isn't about the yarn or the softness or needing a hat (although we really can't argue with these secondary motivators). It's really about this: Knitting is a magic trick. In this day and age, in a world where science and technology take more and more wonder and work out of our lives , and our planet is quickly becoming a place running out of magic, a knitter takes silly, useless string, mundane sticks, waves her hands around (many, many times...nobody said this was fast magic), and turns one thing into another: string into a hat, string into a sweater, string into a blanket for a baby. It really is a very reliable magic."
Yep. That's precisely it.
May 7, 2008
I loved Knitting Rules. It was funny, plus it has lots of great knitting tips and tricks that are easy to reference. I agree with the previous reviews that the concept for Casts Off was really a stretch for an entire book. I'd go a bit farther and say that the metaphor for knitting as a traveler's journey was a stupid concept for a book.
At first glance, I thought this book was about an actual knitting road trip in which the Yarn Harlot had visited lots of fabulous yarn shops and festivals all over the country and was going to tell me wacky stories about them. I was really excited to read that book, and had been planning on it for awhile. I was disappointed, when I finally got my hands on a copy at the library, to discover that I had misunderstood the premise of the book. I checked it out anyway.
I enjoyed a couple of parts, but would not recommend it unless you just want to read page after page justifying why it's OK to have a gargantuan stash. Boo.
At first glance, I thought this book was about an actual knitting road trip in which the Yarn Harlot had visited lots of fabulous yarn shops and festivals all over the country and was going to tell me wacky stories about them. I was really excited to read that book, and had been planning on it for awhile. I was disappointed, when I finally got my hands on a copy at the library, to discover that I had misunderstood the premise of the book. I checked it out anyway.
I enjoyed a couple of parts, but would not recommend it unless you just want to read page after page justifying why it's OK to have a gargantuan stash. Boo.
April 16, 2008
I was all ready to give this book one star, I never really was able to get into it and essentially had to force myself to finish it.
But my total excitement at her "Traveler's Life Afghan" has me adding a star. I only wish that the whole book had been so exciting for me.
One of my friends said she felt as though that the Yarn Harlot had been pressured to hammer out another book for her publishers and I think that sums it up perfectly.
I love knitting books but really felt this one had very little substance.
But my total excitement at her "Traveler's Life Afghan" has me adding a star. I only wish that the whole book had been so exciting for me.
One of my friends said she felt as though that the Yarn Harlot had been pressured to hammer out another book for her publishers and I think that sums it up perfectly.
I love knitting books but really felt this one had very little substance.
October 16, 2022
This was a really uneven book. I frankly got sick of all her talk about out of control yarn stashes and I didn't like the letters from the homesick woman, who struck me as just whiny. But other sections were cute, like Knitting as Sport and the musings on the first person to knit a sock heel. I think about that sometimes when I'm turning heels, too. :)
Again I listened to the audio and found the author's voice easy to follow and quite restful.
Again I listened to the audio and found the author's voice easy to follow and quite restful.
January 3, 2010
Rating:
Genre: Humor, Knitting
Format: Audiobook, Read by the Author
Reading Challenges: 1 for 100+ in 2010
If you are a knitter, then you probably have already heard of Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee. If you are a non-knitter, you are probably wondering if it is truly possible for a book to be both humorous and about knitting. Let me assure you that most knitters have a very healthy sense of humor. We almost have too! Surely you have seen some of the hideous hand knitted objects out there.
McPhee is a popular blogger. She writes the blog, Yarn Harlot, and is the author of several engaging knitting essay collections. In Casts Off, McPhee takes the reader on a guided tour of "the Land of Knitting." Knitters don't have a country, but most of us do speak the same dialect, frequently visit our local yarn shops, and carry an ongoing project (or 3) in our bag.
This book made me chuckle more than a few times. When you are obsessed with something, it is nice to be reminded that there are other people out there who "get it." Mcphee perfectly captures so many of the little idiosyncrasies that make knitters such an interesting group. She writes humorously of our tendency to hoard fiber, cast on endless projects, and our sometimes misplaced optimism in a project we refuse to admit is doomed to hideous failure.
I enjoyed listening to this in audiobook format, and Mchpee did a great job reading her book. At times I almost felt as though I was listening to an old friend. I really enjoyed this book, and am sure I will listen to it again at some point in the future. If you are a knitter, or have ever been curious about knitters, this is a fun read. If you find knitting to be somewhat eccentric, cute, or boring, this really isn't the book for you. I really don't mind if you are a not a fan. More sock yarn for me!
Genre: Humor, Knitting
Format: Audiobook, Read by the Author
Reading Challenges: 1 for 100+ in 2010
If you are a knitter, then you probably have already heard of Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee. If you are a non-knitter, you are probably wondering if it is truly possible for a book to be both humorous and about knitting. Let me assure you that most knitters have a very healthy sense of humor. We almost have too! Surely you have seen some of the hideous hand knitted objects out there.
McPhee is a popular blogger. She writes the blog, Yarn Harlot, and is the author of several engaging knitting essay collections. In Casts Off, McPhee takes the reader on a guided tour of "the Land of Knitting." Knitters don't have a country, but most of us do speak the same dialect, frequently visit our local yarn shops, and carry an ongoing project (or 3) in our bag.
This book made me chuckle more than a few times. When you are obsessed with something, it is nice to be reminded that there are other people out there who "get it." Mcphee perfectly captures so many of the little idiosyncrasies that make knitters such an interesting group. She writes humorously of our tendency to hoard fiber, cast on endless projects, and our sometimes misplaced optimism in a project we refuse to admit is doomed to hideous failure.
I enjoyed listening to this in audiobook format, and Mchpee did a great job reading her book. At times I almost felt as though I was listening to an old friend. I really enjoyed this book, and am sure I will listen to it again at some point in the future. If you are a knitter, or have ever been curious about knitters, this is a fun read. If you find knitting to be somewhat eccentric, cute, or boring, this really isn't the book for you. I really don't mind if you are a not a fan. More sock yarn for me!
September 15, 2010
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, AKA The Yarn Harlot, has deviated from her earlier formula. The other books looked like, and probably were, collections of blogs and/or essays. They were funny. We all wished for more. Here it is.
This book is written as a travelogue through the land of knitting. One point of view shown is that of a newbie who becomes a Knitter (with a capital K), and is exposed through letters written by that person along the journey, as if she were in that land writing home.
The rest is shown much as one would find in a Fodor's guide. We learn how to get there, what to pack, the history, etc. All of this is tongue in cheek and screamingly hilarious. There are health warnings about the dangers of startitis, finish-it-itis, whiplash, and the dreaded viral second sock syndrome. Each lists symptoms and treatment. We learn of endangered species such as the wild argyle. There are biographies of prominent knitters, such as Nancy Bush and Madame LaFarge (yes, I know she's fictional). There are translations and customs and etiquette. (One may only knit at a funeral if the deceased was a knitter.) We are given lists of appropriate music and books. There are knitting sports, arts, culture. There are pests such as the Long-Tailed Stash Scooper. Religion and the justice system are discussed in proper knitting context.
She even shares a pretty good stash-busting afghan pattern.
I'd like to share the final sentence with you, it kind of sums it all up for me:
"We know it looks like yarn, but it's love...and for this it's worth giving up all your closet space."
This book is written as a travelogue through the land of knitting. One point of view shown is that of a newbie who becomes a Knitter (with a capital K), and is exposed through letters written by that person along the journey, as if she were in that land writing home.
The rest is shown much as one would find in a Fodor's guide. We learn how to get there, what to pack, the history, etc. All of this is tongue in cheek and screamingly hilarious. There are health warnings about the dangers of startitis, finish-it-itis, whiplash, and the dreaded viral second sock syndrome. Each lists symptoms and treatment. We learn of endangered species such as the wild argyle. There are biographies of prominent knitters, such as Nancy Bush and Madame LaFarge (yes, I know she's fictional). There are translations and customs and etiquette. (One may only knit at a funeral if the deceased was a knitter.) We are given lists of appropriate music and books. There are knitting sports, arts, culture. There are pests such as the Long-Tailed Stash Scooper. Religion and the justice system are discussed in proper knitting context.
She even shares a pretty good stash-busting afghan pattern.
I'd like to share the final sentence with you, it kind of sums it all up for me:
"We know it looks like yarn, but it's love...and for this it's worth giving up all your closet space."
March 2, 2011
I love all of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's work -- whether yarncraft or wordcraft! She has a rare wit, acres of knitting expertise, and a charming candidness that's captivating. I adore her blog.
That said, this book only gets 3 stars because it is, well, kind of mediocre. Very likable, and with some brilliant bits, but overall feels like an attempt to stretch a metaphor a bit farther than it can really reach. Organized like a travel guide, this book introduces you to the land of Knitting, which is everywhere, and guides you through local customs and so on. Some of this is amusing and some of it is a bit obvious or tedious. One nice part of the book is the recurrent letters from a fictional woman who discovers, and becomes absorbed by, knitting. This woman (Alice) writes with Stephanie's own voice (if not her particular life experiences), so this is one of the places where her innate charm shines through.
The title is a pun, of course, referring both to finishing a piece of knitting as well as starting on a journey. Unfortunately, the same phrase appears as a different pun later in the book to refer to a knitter dying, which made me re-evaluate the title. Is the Yarn Harlot on the point of perishing? Let us hope not!
That said, this book only gets 3 stars because it is, well, kind of mediocre. Very likable, and with some brilliant bits, but overall feels like an attempt to stretch a metaphor a bit farther than it can really reach. Organized like a travel guide, this book introduces you to the land of Knitting, which is everywhere, and guides you through local customs and so on. Some of this is amusing and some of it is a bit obvious or tedious. One nice part of the book is the recurrent letters from a fictional woman who discovers, and becomes absorbed by, knitting. This woman (Alice) writes with Stephanie's own voice (if not her particular life experiences), so this is one of the places where her innate charm shines through.
The title is a pun, of course, referring both to finishing a piece of knitting as well as starting on a journey. Unfortunately, the same phrase appears as a different pun later in the book to refer to a knitter dying, which made me re-evaluate the title. Is the Yarn Harlot on the point of perishing? Let us hope not!
February 11, 2013
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is a writer who makes me giggle. I have read several of her books, and they have all just made me lighter and happier for having read them. I highly recommend becoming a yarnharlot.com fan if you are a knitter. I was checking out ebooks available to be checked out from my library the other day and saw Casts Off as an option. This is an early work by Stephanie, which I had never read.
The premise is similar to her other books. She is able to take certain aspects of the knitting lifestyle and portray them in funny ways. She pulls this off because she is the first to admit that she is one of us, and being a Knitter, is just as misunderstood as that lady knitting in the back of church that everyone keeps staring at and whispering about on Sunday mornings. She is unapologetic about the behaviors of knitters and offers explanations and anecdotes for how the actions of knitters which sometimes make non-knitters uncomfortable or annoyed are really not that abnormal at all. It’s all just a matter of perspective… and the fact that knitters rule!
The premise is similar to her other books. She is able to take certain aspects of the knitting lifestyle and portray them in funny ways. She pulls this off because she is the first to admit that she is one of us, and being a Knitter, is just as misunderstood as that lady knitting in the back of church that everyone keeps staring at and whispering about on Sunday mornings. She is unapologetic about the behaviors of knitters and offers explanations and anecdotes for how the actions of knitters which sometimes make non-knitters uncomfortable or annoyed are really not that abnormal at all. It’s all just a matter of perspective… and the fact that knitters rule!
December 22, 2019
Fun light hearted read about knitting. One funny thing was to read about the internet in 2007. I think it would be fun to pick up from time to time when needing inspiration between projects. My own #nonfictionchallenge - category: "she's crafty"!
July 5, 2012
My least favorite of Stephanie's usually great books.
December 11, 2018
I liked this book, but it didn't turn out to be quite as funny as I expected - a lot of the humor seemed understated and wry, and I went in expecting something more jovial and expressive, I guess. I did find it warm and lightly humorous, and occasionally snarky. (Which I definitely liked! One can never have too much snark.) As a relatively new knitter, I also found it enlightening in some places, as well as some helpful tips scattered throughout. I was a bit ambivalent about the fictional letters written by "Alice" scattered throughout the book. They were amusing, but not really home runs. I was half tempted to skip over them at times, except I'm a thorough completionist, and can't feel I've truly "read" a book if I've skipped parts. ;-D And don't get me wrong, they are amusing as I said - they just are a different feel from the rest of the book, and I didn't particularly enjoy the slightly ping-pong-y feeling. I will say, though, I particularly resonated with the very final letter (in actuality, a reply letter from "Marg" to "Alice") offering affirmation on the idea of being a Knitter vs. a knitter. It was unexpectedly meaningful, and a very nice cap to the book as a whole. So I definitely recommend this to any knitter, they will enjoy hearing from a kindred spirit. And maybe, by the way, it's because I'm a relatively new knitter that I didn't find it as uproariously funny as I expected - I haven't been in hardly any of the humorous situations she describes, and sometimes those things are hilarious because you've experienced them and know just how true they are! So there's another caveat to my rating. But even with all this, I did truly enjoy reading it, and enjoyed getting to know "The Yarn Harlot" better and encounter the world of knitting through her experiences. A good, diverting read. :)
February 17, 2019
For the most part, I adore this book. It is a love letter to knitting, and an explanation of why people love to knit, as well as what it means to be a capital-K Knitter. Being one, myself, I agree with a great deal of the book, and even many of the things I do not experience, I find relatable.
Except...
The discussion about stash.
I have no trouble at all with someone who has a yarn collecting hobby or is inspired by having All the Yarn. It's how she FRAMES it that gets under my skin.
The ENDLESS *giggle* *giggle* "I'm helpless in the face of buying new yarn" and "knitters have huge stashes they hide from their families" is just tiresome.
A big bookshelf with All the Yarn proudly displayed and eagerly talked about and petted? A comment of, "Oh, I saved up a buncha cash and I am going to have LOTS OF FUN at the yarn store today!"? That's how I think it would be a lot more sane to frame it.
Except...
The discussion about stash.
I have no trouble at all with someone who has a yarn collecting hobby or is inspired by having All the Yarn. It's how she FRAMES it that gets under my skin.
The ENDLESS *giggle* *giggle* "I'm helpless in the face of buying new yarn" and "knitters have huge stashes they hide from their families" is just tiresome.
A big bookshelf with All the Yarn proudly displayed and eagerly talked about and petted? A comment of, "Oh, I saved up a buncha cash and I am going to have LOTS OF FUN at the yarn store today!"? That's how I think it would be a lot more sane to frame it.
October 21, 2019
Stephanie's sense of humor creates spontaneous laughter that makes your husband wonder what is going on. Take a trip around the world with her in this wonderful "guide" to knitting. She describes the feelings of knitters everywhere during their knitting (and regular) life through letters from Alice and descriptions and suggestions for surviving the craft that you love.
Even if you are not a knitter you will probably enjoy this book. Anyone who has a craft or skill that they adore will relate to many of the situations described here and we all have heard that laughter is a great cure for many things.
She has two other titles that I will be looking for to read.
Even if you are not a knitter you will probably enjoy this book. Anyone who has a craft or skill that they adore will relate to many of the situations described here and we all have heard that laughter is a great cure for many things.
She has two other titles that I will be looking for to read.
September 18, 2023
I first eye read this book when I was a relatively new knitter, before knitting sat at the centre of my universe. To revisit it from this point of view was such a pleasure. It is a fairly random book, with bits of musings, following one knitters journey, knitting definitions, thoughts on everything. I listened to the audio (free on Audible Plus) and it was a whimsical journey through a land I know well. This book is from 2008 and it is a marvellous reflection of that time. It's worth reading just to have Stephanie explain list-servs to me!
September 4, 2018
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee gives a very light hearted look at the world of knitting through stories, letters and lessons. This book is funny, but at the same time, I could see myself in a lot of the situations. I got a lot of chuckles out of reading it. I would recommend it to anyone who loves to knit and even those who have to endure those of us who knit!! I can't wait to read some of her other books.
September 29, 2018
I'm a Knitter: I love all things Harlot.
However, taking this book on vacation, I bought the Kindle version. I don't know about your Kindle, but mine is about six years old, and the letters included in this book are illustrations. As such, I could not adjust the font size so I could not read them.
Wish I'd just loaded up a couple more mystery/thrillers for vacation, bought this in hardcover like the rest of my books by Steph, and saved it for when I got home.
However, taking this book on vacation, I bought the Kindle version. I don't know about your Kindle, but mine is about six years old, and the letters included in this book are illustrations. As such, I could not adjust the font size so I could not read them.
Wish I'd just loaded up a couple more mystery/thrillers for vacation, bought this in hardcover like the rest of my books by Steph, and saved it for when I got home.
January 7, 2024
This is the second book I have read of Pearl-Mcphees and this is the book I was looking for. This is a knitting love story to knitters. The adaptation of comparing the love of knitting to travel sometimes works, but this book uses her knitting humor and advocacy in the most positive of ways. This is an inspiring read to those who love knitting and want others to love knitting to. As a knitter it is both funny and relatable.
July 5, 2023
I think I need a new book-tag since learning how to knit three years ago. Pearl-McPhee's humor is a light and fun listen. She's a great narrator too. I liked this book better than "At Knit's End: Meditations on Knitting" (which works ok as a book but not as much as an audiobook). Cozy, quick, and relatable as a fiber addict.
October 10, 2018
I think I picked the wrong day to reread this book. There were some funny and interesting parts, but most of the book wasn't enjoyable. I especially disliked the letters. I did also like the Traveler's Afghan. I think that's a nice idea but not something I will ever do.
November 1, 2018
Lots of fun. I loved her narration, and there were several laugh-out-loud moments. It was enjoyable and the general quality you've come to expect from the Yarn Harlot. :-) Recommended for knitters and people who are immediately adjacent to knitting.
June 17, 2020
Audio book read while knitting fittingly. The author has a wry sense of humor and self awareness about her passion for all things knitting and makes those if with similar passions smile and sometimes even laugh at loud. Not her best, but pleasant.
October 1, 2020
Such a wonderful romp through the land of Knitting, where all the quirks and peculiarities of people who live their lives as "Knitters" (as opposed to "knitters") are celebrated with understanding and humor.
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August 13, 2021Didn't love this - the analogies felt too forced, and I felt a bit excluded by not being quite so invested in Knitlandia, even though I've been knitting for years. Still a few good jokes, but I prefer her other work.
January 23, 2022
I would classify her books as “light extemporánea” but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable. The only drawback to reading Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s books is that they take away from knitting time.
June 29, 2017
You have to be a knitter to appreciate this book. Having said that, its hilarious!
July 23, 2017
She just gets me.
September 17, 2017
Light and funny
April 18, 2018
McPhee makes me laugh. I love her humor and self-deprecating pure joy of yarn.
June 13, 2018
She totally gets me.
July 28, 2018
I love this lady's humor and the style of her writing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews