Knitlit: Sweaters and Their Stories...and Other Writing about Knitting

By Molly Wolf and Linda Roghaar

Book Overview

Whether you're a dedicated knitter who bestows lovingly crafted gifts upon family and friends at every possible occasion, a sometimes knitter with a bag of fully conceived but half-completed projects, or a newcomer who has recently taken up the needles with great gusto, you know the rewards that this hobby can bring. You may also know that knitting as a hobby can verge on obsession-be it the compulsive purchasing of stunning hand-spun wool, the desire to rip out nearly finished sweaters because you dropped a stitch, or the need to knit wherever, whenever, or however you can. Most important, though, knitting offers a camaraderie, a society of women and men who converse in a language all their own, flock to yarn stores with religious devotion, and can recite the time and place where they first learned to purl. These feelings are what KnitLit is all about. In this charming collection of stories, essays, anecdotes, and recollections, knitters of every "color" celebrate their hobby and share with you the joy it brings into their lives. From the touching tale of a caring woman whose hand-knit dolls bring security to young hospital patients, to the hilarious story of a woman scorned who sends her ex-boyfriend a scarf knit with wolf hair only to have it torn to shreds by his dogs, to the moving recollection of a man whose grandmother's dying wish was to knit all the wool in her knitting stash, to the finely wrought account of a man who keeps alive the memories of his companions and friends who have succumbed to AIDS by wearing the sweaters they left behind, KnitLit is a gift from knitters to knitters-crafted with as much love and care as an afghan or a wool scarf. Wrap yourself in KnitLit, and be inspired.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609808249
• ISBN13: 9780609808245
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Harmony
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Real people

The essays are mostly very short, which I like, because I can only go so long without knitting. (I'm working on knitting without looking, but so far am only successful with worsted weight.) Many are evidently not written by professional writers; this is a democratic and inclusive book. The essays come from all different perspectives, embracing those who are NOT philosophical about knitting along with those who are, and even those who hate knitting or don't knit. Some are hilarious, some are sad, some are boring. This book is great.

The fabric of our lives--stories about human fiber

While this book would appeal mainly to knitters, anyone who likes the textile or fiber arts AND who likes a good "yarn" will love this book.It's packed with stories about how knitting affects the lives of the contributors. And there are many of these short essays in this wonderful collection. Are these tales just about "When I learned to knit and made a funny-looking sweater?" No--though there are stories just like that. There are also stories about how knitting is intertwined with life and death. The most meaningful story for me was by a man whose beloved grandmother INSISTED that her yarn stash be knit up into a warm afghan as she lay dying from cancer. She was at a ripe old age and had a full life, and the way she tied up the loose ends of her life, lovingly and with great passion and determination, was inspiring. This is like "Chicken Soup for the Knitting Soul."If you like to read about people who knit and about their real-life experiences and deep feelings, this book is for you. I really found it hard to put down, and I know when I re-read it, I will find more gold. Thanks, all of you who wrote this.

Give this to a knitter...he/she will love it.

I received this as a gift, and as a knitter, I really appreciated it. Knitting can be such a solitary activity, and this book offers an opportunity to hear stories that people don't often share. The stories are so varied that I found myself wanting to savor each one before I moved on to the next. I can't wait for the next book!

A story to touch every life - and fun, to boot

This anthology proves what I've suspected all along--people who knit aren't just grandmothers anymore. They're high school students and pub-goers and alcoholics. They're even men. Bite-sized stories, just long enough to give a quick break from your day. Loved it!

Laughed out loud in the store

and rushed over to the cashier to pay so that I could take it home right then. If you are a knitter, you will recognize yourself. Lots of funny stories about knitting, and life. Buy it.