Available for the first time in paperback, The Knitting Sutra reveals how women can learn to knit their way to nirvana.
When Susan G... read full description
When Susan G... read full description
reviews
Feb 13, 2009
Jennifer
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I was all set to rip this book apart in my review. I was going to put it on my bad-bad-bad shelf and laugh when it wept. But I cannot. Sadly I actually got a few little moments of joy out of this book.
This is a tiny book and really should be read in one chunk some lazy afternoon while you sip hot tea. I made the mistake of reading a little section and then running away screaming. I think the thing I struggled with was the feel-good-tree-hugging-schizophrenic-menopausal-self-absorpti More...
This is a tiny book and really should be read in one chunk some lazy afternoon while you sip hot tea. I made the mistake of reading a little section and then running away screaming. I think the thing I struggled with was the feel-good-tree-hugging-schizophrenic-menopausal-self-absorpti More...
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Jan 07, 2012
Kerry
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 29, 2011
Michelle
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This book was an interesting memoir from a woman who is going on a spiritual journey. She uses knitting as her mode of transportation, and offers a variety of religious backgrounds to frame her reference. While I appreciated the gentleness in which the book was written, I was disappointed by the lack of depth. The author describes herself as a person who finds it difficult to commit (finishing knitting projects, studying with a teacher, etc.) and that is apparent throughout this book.
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Jul 24, 2009
Erik
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Being interested in mindfulness and on the verge of learning to knit I was pleased that there were actually books on the subject. Initially I thought this one was the bad one of the bunch I ended up picking it up first since I don’t own any knitting supplies and this is the only knitting book that doesn’t actually have any instruction.
What you get is a memoir of a period in Lydon’s life where she found the act of knitting bringing her to a mindful state. From my experience in making More...
What you get is a memoir of a period in Lydon’s life where she found the act of knitting bringing her to a mindful state. From my experience in making More...
Nov 28, 2010
Laura
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Overall a book I'm glad I read, but wouldn't rush out to own... I think.
I find that this book affects me in complex ways. As it pertains to the meditative/healing aspects of knitting I felt that the woman had been inside my head and was writing my thoughts down in book form. In other matters I found myself alternately: nodding my head, wanting to tell her to "grow up and get out of yourself,for Pete's sake!" and stopping to carefully consider statements made that rankled at More...
I find that this book affects me in complex ways. As it pertains to the meditative/healing aspects of knitting I felt that the woman had been inside my head and was writing my thoughts down in book form. In other matters I found myself alternately: nodding my head, wanting to tell her to "grow up and get out of yourself,for Pete's sake!" and stopping to carefully consider statements made that rankled at More...
Mar 01, 2010
Varina
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Honestly I probably have no business reviewing this book since I did not finish it, but then I almost never fail to finish a book, and in this case I stopped reading it even though I was stuck on a long train with nothing else to read because the thought of continuing was just that bad. When I picked this up at the library I was expecting something like Mindful Knitting which discusses knitting as a form of meditation in an intelligent and useful way but this was far more of a memoir than the e
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Aug 12, 2010
Julie
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As I turned the last page of this book I had the impulse to immediately go to Amazon and purchase multiple copies for my peeps, and they don't even knit! Sorry, Susan Gordon Lydon, I didn't do that; not because the book wasn't worthy, only because I'm poor and I can't afford multiple copies of books that I've already read. I really enjoy well written memoirs and that's an apt description of this title. The fact that knitting was Lydon's form of meditative craft wasn't crucial to the book and if
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Mar 23, 2009
Chade66
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This book approaches knitting as a spiritual exercise, sort of moving meditation. I have thought of spinning as meditation for a long time, but I can see how the other would translate as well.
Its always interesting, to me at least, to "listen" to someone's hunt for enlightenment and see what they come up with or where they hunt.
This is a quick read, also read in a day this weekend. Yay for Spring Break!
Its always interesting, to me at least, to "listen" to someone's hunt for enlightenment and see what they come up with or where they hunt.
This is a quick read, also read in a day this weekend. Yay for Spring Break!
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Jan 17, 2009
Carolynz
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I read this book when it first came out- a mere few years ago. I enjoyed it's sentiment. At that time, such a short while ago, there were not that many books reflecting on the activity of knitting, versus now where it is incredible in such a few short years not a knitting niche has been missed. (I am still obviously in shock over the amount of reference material on the subject out there.
Jun 15, 2009
Claire
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This book reinforced my belief that you knit for love. And that knitting can be a relaxing pursuit because it is a repetitive action and because you put love into every stitch. The author had an interesting journey, but her spiritual quest was definitely tied to working with her hands and creating something out of nothing.
Aug 04, 2010
Heather
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I was expecting this to be a little more like Mindful Knitting- which I intend to pick up again because I think I'm actually ready to read it now. Mindful Knitting is more of a "how to" for meditating while knitting and this book is the story of a woman in her journey of learning to let knitting help her through her life.
I normally love personal narratives and this one was nice, but I wasn't enamored with it like I normally am with such essays. I felt sort of bogged down in
I normally love personal narratives and this one was nice, but I wasn't enamored with it like I normally am with such essays. I felt sort of bogged down in
Oct 09, 2010
Tricia
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As the title suggests, this book REALLY is about using crafting as a spiritual practice.
She describes how an injury caused her to take another look at the spiritual and meditative connections of knitting and other needlecraft.
And Wow, this is a really pretty deep look into how knitting can connect you to a deeper, more meaningful life.
She describes how an injury caused her to take another look at the spiritual and meditative connections of knitting and other needlecraft.
And Wow, this is a really pretty deep look into how knitting can connect you to a deeper, more meaningful life.
Dec 18, 2008
I found this book deeply moving. It was the book I gave my sisters and girlfriends that Xmas. You don't have to be a knitter to enjoy it.
Oct 21, 2009
Beth F.
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I love the concept of knitting as a spiritual practice and absolutely truly believe that. Unfortunately, I don't think the final product of this book lived up to the promise. It wasn't advertised as a memoir but that's exactly what it was. And unfortunately, it was a memoir of the "I can't relate" variety.
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Jul 19, 2008
Julie
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I loved her frank, touching way of writing about her experience with grief, illness and how knitting softened the edges around broken hearts, friendships and family-relationships-gone-awry. Yarn and needles as a way back to healing, and a contemplative, grateful spirit.
Feb 05, 2008
Maureen
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A spiritual quest that starts with knitting but winds through many avenues of women, relationships, creativity, and craft. Since I have often though of knitting and embroidery as forms of meditation I was intrigued by the discoveries the author made in her own travels,
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Jul 17, 2009
Suzanne
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Good, in a knitting can help you learn stuff about yourself kind of way. Not one that everyone would enjoy.
May 01, 2009
Marjorie
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It was interesting -- more of an account of her spiritual journeying and parallels to crafting than crafting as a spiritual practice, I think. Or maybe that's all their is. Her spiritual explorations were different from her religion of origin -- I might have found it more interesting to find out how her crafting brought depth to her original religion rather than her exploration of other religions.
Jan 27, 2012
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