For the Love of Knitting: A Celebration of the Knitter's Art - Softcover

Voyageur Press

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0760335125 ISBN 13: 9780760335123

Publisher: Voyageur Press, 2009

Synopsis

One surviving cotton sock tells us that the Egyptians were knitting as long ago as the first millennium AD. Tenderly preserved shawls and sweaters bespeak our great-grandmothers handiwork. And colorful strands of yarn escaping from a basket in the corner show that the tradition lives on with us. That tradition, celebrated in the stories and essays in this book, knits together a world of warmth and memory, wisdom and camaraderie. These writings--sometimes amusing, sometimes moving, always entertaining--comprise a charming scrapbook reflecting the myriad cultural and historical aspects of knitting. Ranging from the days of World War II to our own time, they include offerings by Jamaica Kincaid, Melanie Falick, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen, Susan Gordon Lydon, Pam Allen, Lela Nargi, Perri Klass, Teva Durham, and many others.

Artwork by Solveig Hisdal, fiber artists Debbie New and Karen Searle, and photographer Chris Hartlove, along with historical photographs, vintage advertising, and pattern booklets, brings the color and textures of these stories to vibrant life. Whether you ply knitting needles yourself or simply appreciate the art, this collection will enfold you in all the softness, warmth, and beauty of knitting today and yesterday.

About this title

Book Description:

Stories, essays, and memories of knitting come together here to create a charming scrapbook of the age-old handicraft in all its cultural and historical richness.  Wry, amusing, moving, and enlightening, these writings range from World War II to our day; they include offerings by Jamaica Kincaid, Melanie Falick, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen, Susan Gordon Lydon, Pam Allen, Lela Nargi, Perri Klass, Teva Durham, and many others.  Artwork by Solveig Hisdal, fiber artists Debbie New and Karen Searle, and photographer Chris Hartlove,  along with historical photographs, vintage advertising, and pattern booklets, brings the color and textures of these stories to vibrant life. 

From the Back Cover:

This book is a collection of essays from knitters. But at first glance, my favorite part are the vintage elements . . . pictures of old knitting patterns, posters, portraits and propaganda. It adds a pleasant ambience to the written word and the accompanying pictures of process and product. . . .

And in this case, the essays are something worth savoring slowly, coming as they do from knitter/writers like Melanie Falick, Pam Allen, Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen. . . . I like the book. I’m savoring it slowly.

-Amy Singer, Knitty.com

 

Past and present come together in For the Love of Knitting, a scrapbook of stories, essays, and memories that celebrates knitting and knitting heritage.

 

The stories gathered here embody the cultural and historical aspects of knitting. Set during World War II to the modern day, they range from the amusing to the reflective to the enlightening. Contributors include Jamaica Kincaid, Melanie Falick, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen, Susan Gordon Lydon, Pam Allen, and many more.

 

These pieces work in perfect tandem with an eye-catching treasury of artwork, including works from such acclaimed artists as Solveig Hisdal, fiber artists Debbie New and Karen Searle, and photographer Chris Hartlove. Black-and-white historical photographs, vintage advertising, and pattern booklets provide a complete look at the popular pastime.

 

Whether you’re a knitter or someone who has a love of hand-knitted items and what they represent, this anthology of classic and contemporary reflections on the passion for the knit stitch will warm your heart and inspire you to reflect upon your own knitting stories.

About this edition

• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0760335125
• ISBN 13: 9780760335123
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160
• Editor: Cornell Kari