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58th out of 566 books
—
838 voters
No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting
Examines the history of the nation from the perspective of women and knitting, tracing the changes in day-to-day life and in women's roles in society from colonial times to the present.
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
April 7th 1990
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1988)
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Super interesting book. I listened to it the abridged version which was a bit of a bummer. Apparently other editions include pictures of women knitting and excerpts from magazines and newspapers with pattern information (although no full patterns).
Based on journal entries and other historical documents, this is the story of knitting in America from the colonial period up to the 1980s. It really grounds the act of knitting in the history of the time, including the politics, fashion trends, wars,...more
Based on journal entries and other historical documents, this is the story of knitting in America from the colonial period up to the 1980s. It really grounds the act of knitting in the history of the time, including the politics, fashion trends, wars,...more
The book is a fairly interesting look at the social history of hand-knitting in America, if a bit simplistic (although this is an abridged version so it is unclear if that is a problem with the original). For instance, one thing I noticed in this book is that every few decades (or even every decade in the early 20th century) it seemed like there was this major declaration by the fashion powers that be that knitting was popular again, that suddenly there was a rush of knitting. It struck me as cu...more
Apr 22, 2009
Barb
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
knitters, history buffs
Shelves:
knitting,
general-nonfiction
The insights into the motivations of US knitters through time were enough to keep me reading this book. Anne Macdonald tackles a difficult topic in a way that is both academic and engaging. For myself, a steady though not productive knitter, it sparked many reflections on the task of knitting, its trendiness, and its stigma.
This book caused me to reflect on how absolutely anonymous knitted works are. A well-knit item could have been knit by any experienced knitter. There is no way for an individ...more
This book caused me to reflect on how absolutely anonymous knitted works are. A well-knit item could have been knit by any experienced knitter. There is no way for an individ...more
I love this kind of social history, and this did not disappoint. It's gotten me seeing knitting everywhere (even in the historical drama we were watching last night!), and thinking about knitting a bunch. I like the anecdotal nature, and seeing the way that knitting fits into historical events. Unfortunately, this was written 25 years ago, before the current resurgence in popularity, so it ends on a bit of a down note (she seems to be pleading, "But it will get popular again!" and it has. It wou...more
I was disappointed with this book. It seemed so limited in scope. I wish that the author had a more feminist point of view, what she does is not very critical of time and situation- more a simple reporting of a limited look at the time periods. She reports on knitting trends- how women used knitting during war times as a means to contribute to war efforts, from the American Revolution to the Korean War- without any examination of the underlying social principles. She writes a little about the in...more
I really liked this book, but it had some flaws. For example she would start off multiple decades/chapters with the idea that knitting, after losing favor, was back with a vengeance, but failed to point out the lulls. She also threw around the term "Antis" with regard to Suffrage without ever explaining what it meant (you could guess, but the way she used it made it seem like this was a term which warranted some explanation). And for most of the book she overlooked anyone with less than a middle...more
This is a fascinating look at the entire history of knitting in the United States of America - from the colonial days to the pioneer days to the Victorian era to the first WW to the roaring 20s to WWII and to present day, Anne Macdonald, covers it all. She recounts knitting as a way to keep hands and minds busy, as well as for necessity, eventually for fashion, and finally for hobby.
Unfortunately, I listened to this book on abridged audiobook (as it's only available abridged on audiobook). I th...more
Unfortunately, I listened to this book on abridged audiobook (as it's only available abridged on audiobook). I th...more
So I didn't quite manage to finish this one, not through any fault of the book but rather because my local library doesn't have it. I checked it out while visiting family over the holidays and simply ran out of time. I didn't enjoy it enough to check it out again next time I'm there, but I would have finished it if I'd had the opportunity.
This was less of a social commentary and more of a history than I was expecting. It was a little dry in places, talking about the knitting bees that supported...more
This was less of a social commentary and more of a history than I was expecting. It was a little dry in places, talking about the knitting bees that supported...more
Jan 20, 2010
Marsha
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Knitters, Historians
Shelves:
art-craft
First, I both ordered and borrowed this audio from my local library. I thought it would be a great idea to knit, and listen to the history of knitting, and indeed it was a good idea. The library got it in Playaway, which is a dedicated mp3 player. Unfortunately, it is buggy, and I had many problems keeping it playing and getting back to the point that I stopped listening. This kind of put a kink in the enjoyment.
This is a historical book, and while the author makes every effort to make it inter...more
This is a historical book, and while the author makes every effort to make it inter...more
This was pretty good, and while academic, an easy, quick read (that is, when I read it--I couldn't read more than a chapter or so at a time, before I got tired of reading the word "knitting"). The chapters about the Civil War and WWI are particularly good. But after 1960, it gets pretty dull and unfocused; I wonder if the author lost steam or interest?
I would have liked to see more examination of why knitting went in and out of fashion, rather than just noting that it did; more conclusions drawn...more
I would have liked to see more examination of why knitting went in and out of fashion, rather than just noting that it did; more conclusions drawn...more
Though it looks like it's going to be dry, this is a rather fascinating look at knitting's (and other needlecrafts) role in a Protestant-work-ethic culture, as well as the role of traditional women's crafts in American culture. But most striking to me all these years later is the anecdote of a latter-day knitter, who recalls knitting a bikini while riding on the back of a motorcycle on the way to a California beach.
Understand that I'm not far enough into reading on this subject to speak to the quality of Macdonald's research, but she certainly makes a lot of compelling arguments and writes an excellent narrative about the shape of knitting in American history. The section about the Great Depression is particularly interesting. It's a good read for historians and knitters alike.
(At the end): I really loved this book--wish it had been published more recently, or updated to include the way that knitting has j...more
(At the end): I really loved this book--wish it had been published more recently, or updated to include the way that knitting has j...more
I love nonfiction history - particularly women's history - and this is a dense, fascinating read if you are interested in the social aspects of knitting in America. It actually made me proud to be a knitter and a textile crafter - in a world that no longer "needs" handmade fibers, but once very much did, it was eye-opening to read about how knitting has been a truly revolutionary act.
A pleasant surprise. I grabbed this in the library cuz I couldn't believe there was a book on such a narrow topic (and a topic that is of great interest to me). It's quite interesting--who knew how incredibly important a contribution knitting has made to various war efforts?
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who isn't a knitter, however. Knitters only!
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who isn't a knitter, however. Knitters only!
Oh my! I can hardly believe how much I loved this book!! I thought it sounded like it could be interesting & it was & so much more. So many times while I was reading it I found myself smiling, enjoying the feeling of solidarity and a true connection with knitters of past generations. Really much more than a book about knitting.
This book was chock full o' interesting subject matter, but was written just like every one of my undergrad and graduate papers:
Statement. 12 quotes you've dug up in support of said statement. Closing sentence for paragraph (in rather formal language) that tries to be witty but doesn't usually succeed, such as, "Surely they had had enough!"
Repeat 129830198490814 times. There was much discussion of wartime knitting, something near and dear to my heart. We're not knitting for the guys who are in t...more
Statement. 12 quotes you've dug up in support of said statement. Closing sentence for paragraph (in rather formal language) that tries to be witty but doesn't usually succeed, such as, "Surely they had had enough!"
Repeat 129830198490814 times. There was much discussion of wartime knitting, something near and dear to my heart. We're not knitting for the guys who are in t...more
Unless you knit or are fascinated with cultural characteristics that survive the test of time, you may find this a boring read. I however, greatly enjoyed both the historical attributes and of course the knitting.
I like this book as it looks at the history of knitting in America. It is a good follow-up to the early chapters of The History of Hand Knitting by Rutt.
You probably have to be a knitter to appreciate this book. I found it occasionally slow. But, on the whole, I thought it was interesting and enjoyable.
Mar 21, 2009
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes history or knitting
Recommended to Sarah by:
my mother
Shelves:
favorites
I love this book. A little bit of American History told through the lens of knitting. Great read.
I enjoyed this book very much and it inspired one of my own about knitting in World War I.
Jan 07, 2009
Tsimplekelly
marked it as to-read
this looks great, cannot wait to see if the library has it...
As a historian, there is much at fault with the methodology used. (It's pre mid-80's reflexive turn). However, as with most histories of needlework/knitting that I have read, she links this occupation with femininity, and goes to some length to 'prove' this. I am not in dispute with this thesis - I just found it odd that she completely ignores the feminist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries. This of course left room for other social historians and scientists to fill in the gaps. The history...more
I clicked this one by accident and can't figure out how to remove it.
Though an abridged version, there is a lot of information about women in history and the vital part they played. It was mind blowing to discover how much of an effect women had on the outcome of the revolution. What a shame these important facts aren't taught in schools. Definitely worth reading if you love knitting and want to be enlightened about the impact it had in history.
I've been wanting to read this and I finally got my hands on the audiobook format so I could listen and knit. No idle hands here :)
I knew about the war time knitting chronicled here, but I didn't know about children being put to work knitting their own stockings in the colonial era.
If you like social history, cultural anthropology, and crafting, give it a listen. Although, the curious part of me wants to get the actual book from the library and see what was redacted from the book.
I knew about the war time knitting chronicled here, but I didn't know about children being put to work knitting their own stockings in the colonial era.
If you like social history, cultural anthropology, and crafting, give it a listen. Although, the curious part of me wants to get the actual book from the library and see what was redacted from the book.
A nerdy book for a nerdy girl. It told an interesting story about the importance knitting has played in the social lives of both women AND men over the years, from war knitting to fashion knitting to knitting for pleasure. It traces the ups and downs of the popularity of the hobby and really makes a knitter like me itch to pick up the needles. Definitely an interesting read.
This is another indispensable book on the history of knitting. It is, as advertised, a social history, and as such focuses on what people were knitting, and why, rather than on patterns and techniques. It's a fascinating portrait of the knitting women and men in the United States.
I was a little disappointed that the book only goes up to the 1980s. I would love to read an updated version that includes the most recent revival of knitting among hip 20 somethings.
I am biased because I am obsessed with knitting, so much so that I am writing my thesis about it. But this book was really great. MacDonald did a lot of research about women's journals, period advertising, and the visual culture associated with knitting.
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Jul 12, 2011 07:29am
Jul 21, 2011 06:35am