Sunday, September 21, 2014

Knitting Yarns: Writers On Knitting

When my Aunt gave me the book Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting edited by Ann Hood for my birthday I didn't know what to expect.  I wondered if it was a novel, because it certainly did not look like any knitting book I'd ever seen.  It turns out that this brilliant book is a compilation of essays and personal true stories on what knitting has meant in the lives of many famous writers.  The back of the book lists many names that I'm familiar with, including Sue Grafton, Barbara Kingsolver and Ann Pachette.


Last December, 2 month old Lucky didn't give me a lot of time to read for pleasure, so I saved the book until this spring.  I like to read a few chapters while I take a bubble bath.  I think that I am stretching this book out as far as I can go.  I am delighted to read the way that knitting is so important in the lives of other people, and it is especially nice to read these stories written by people who really know how to spin a yarn (oh yes, I went there!)

I don't want to spoil anything from the stories themselves, but I will share that the book comes with 6 knitting patterns. Since this book is printed on conventional book paper, there are no pictures and correspondingly there are no images to accompany these patterns. I turned to Ravelry to see if I could get a better peak.  (Besides, I realized that I needed to add this book to my pattern library.  I love being able to search for patterns that are in books/magazine issues that I already own, but I digress.) The patterns provide a little bit for every knitter: socks, fingerless mitts, coffee cozy, lacy wrap, sweater and a head wrap.

Please keep in mind that these knitting patterns aren't intended to be a learn to knit book.  Think of them as the sweet icing on top of the delectable multi-layer cake of this book.  I can't wait to keep reading!  I've discussed the role knitting has played in my life in interviews and a bit here on ChemKnits, but from reading this book I'm considering working on my own piece.  What has knitting meant to you?