America Knits

by Melanie Falick

“Not only are the stories a great read, but the photos are so full of color and texture they’ll make your fingers itch to start your own scarf or afghan.”— Glamour

“With a passion for textiles and a love of travel, Melanie Falick is the perfect writer for [America Knits].”— Vogue Knitting

Acclaimed knitting author Melanie Falick traveled thousands of miles and interviewed dozens of knitters, spinners, dyers, and sheep breeders to create this inspiring and revealing collection of portraits and patterns. With profiles of 38 artisans and farmers,175 beautiful color photographs, and 30 original patterns whose difficulty ranges from basic to advanced, from traditional to contemporary, America Knits is the most complete survey yet published on this highly popular and vital art form in America.

First published in hardcover as Knitting in America (Artisan, 1996)

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Audiobook

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Melanie Falick is the editorial director of STC Craft. She is a prolific and popular author of knitting books.

Reviews

[Carole Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

America Knits is a gorgeous book. It is coffee table worthy for the pictures alone. Melanie Falick is a noted knitter and creative person. This book is divided into knitters from different parts of the United States - East, Southwest, West, and Mid-West. For knitters there are well known knitters and designers and some not so well known. Well known knitters would include Pam Allen, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Nancy Bush, and Nicky Epstein. There is a well developed profile of each knitter and some of their designs. The book concludes with a wealth of patterns that an intermediate or experienced knitter might try. I believe there is one expert pattern. The patterns include sweaters, hats, mittens, and socks. Many of the patterns include charts and lots of information about the pattern.
For me this is a book of inspiration rather than I MUST knit this or that pattern. It's a knitter's book of love.

[Cherop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning about some of the lovely and talented artisans across America. This book whets my appetite to be more creative but the actual patterns involved are far beyond my skill sets. The patterns might appeal to very advanced knitters. If you are not a skilled knitter you can still enjoy the beautiful knitted projects.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libby: Audible

Brief interview with a bunch of American knitters/designers. No patterns of photos obviously which probably adds a lot of value to the book. Would’ve liked to hear more in depth interviews - they were more like a brief summary of each knitter.

[Lain · Rating 2 out of 5]

After hearing Falick on a podcast and hearing the "story behind the book," I picked this up at the local yarn store to leaf through it -- and quickly remembered why I hand't bought it the first five times I'd looked at it.

I find the concept of this book somewhat garbled -- is it a pattern book? If so, there aren't enough interesting patterns to make it worth the investment (most are very dated). Is it a profile book? If so, there really isn't enough in-depth info about either the yarn stores or the store owners to make it entertaining.

The photography, however, is gorgeous. So I've finally categorized this book as a "collectible." If you're looking for knitting patterns, don't bother. But if you want something pretty to set on your coffee table -- or if you own every other knitting book out there and need this one to complete your library -- then go for it. Otherwise, leaf through it at the store, admire the pictures, then put it gently back on the shelf and walk away.

[Polly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gorgeous photographs of knitted wear and the collection of well-known American designers make this a one of a kind coffee book. There is at least one project in this book for the knitter who reads it; the rest are either admirable or unfathomable. Half the pieces are dated but others remain timeless. Someday I'd like to make the Kousa Dogwood Shawl, the Spice Market Wrap, and the La Plays Books (love me some Nancy Bush!).

This book was a gift.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really boring. There were a couple of good stories, but for the most part it was like being read resumes. I found myself tuning out a lot and wanted to give up after listening to the first CD. I couldn't wait for it to be over!

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting from a social/historical context, but overall not as interesting as I would have liked. I listened to it on audiobook and felt that the narrator could have been more engaging. I probably would have been more interested if I were looking at the accompanying images and patterns!

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

audio book - unabridged