In Knitting Yarns, twenty-seven writers share how knitting healed, challenged, or helped them grow. There are twenty-six short stories, one poem, and five original patterns in this book, and I enjoyed almost every single one. They run the gamut from serious to light-hearted, and it's certainly possible to cry while reading one story only to laugh at the next.
My favorites? Sue Grafton's "Teaching a Child to Knit," Elinor Lipman's "I Bought This Pattern Book Last Spring," "The Clothes Make the Dog" by Taylor M. Polites, and "Knitted Goods: Notes from a Nervous Knitter" by Elizabeth Searles.
As a solitary knitter, I felt connected to these writers as I read their various relationships with yarn and needles. I also came away with several quotes that touched me, like this one from Andre Dubus III's "Blood, Root, Knit, Purl": "...I felt joined to all the men and women across cultures down through the ages who'd done something useful with their hands."
In the case of previous generations of women in my family, making things-- whether it be by sewing, crocheting, or knitting-- was often a matter of have to, not want to. But these busy women who cooked, cleaned, washed, ironed, birthed and raised children, and helped their husbands farm the land often found time to make something that's main purpose was purely decorative. They needed something pretty in their lives. Reading the stories in Knitting Yarns reconnected me with my roots and made me feel satisfied with the work of my own hands.
This is a good anthology for those who love to make things, and for those who don't who just might want to know what the fascination is all about.
Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting edited by Ann Hood
ISBN: 9780393349870
W.W. Norton & Company © 2014
Paperback, 304 pages
Short Story Anthology
Rating: A-
Source: Paperback Swap
Knitting is such an integral part of culture for a lot of people, Cathy. And I think it links people of many generations. I hadn't considered an anthology, but what a great idea! And it sounds as though the book offers good advice, too. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's at least one more anthology available. Of course, I have absolutely no interest in reading it... *ahem*
DeleteOoh - I have a friend who may just get a present ...
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome to give your friend my gently read copy. Just let me know.
DeleteWhat a generous offer! I like to support authors, so I'll buy my friend another copy, and leave yours for another.
DeleteNow who's being generous? :-)
DeleteI admire everyone who knits, crochets, quilts, sews or does any other craft that creates beauty and satisfaction. I'm afraid I'm not good at anything, but sewing buttons or hems or a patch onto my duvet with material from a quilting friend.
ReplyDeleteI did make a walnut lamp in high school and created ceramic bowls and other items in a college course. I felt so good doing both projects. And years ago, I stained and put new knobs on three pieces of furniture. For a small amount of money and some sweat equity, I had three lovely pieces of furniture.
When I first bought this house and moved in, I was quite familiar with sanding, staining, painting, putting on new hardware, etc. Quite a feeling of satisfaction.
DeleteYes. Nothing like creating or refurbishing something and ending up with a product that is new or looks like new.
ReplyDeleteNow I wonder where my walnut lamp from high school ended up. I have a display of my ceramics which my father had framed.