Knitting in America: Patterns, Profiles, & Stories of America's Leading Artisans

by Melanie Falick, Chris Hartlove (Photographer)

Author Melanie Falick traveled thousands of miles to create Knitting in America, an inspiring and revealing portrait of knitters, spinners, dyers, and breeders of fiber-producing animals. The most complete survey yet published on the scope and influence of this vital art form in America, the book profiles many of this country's most fascinating artisans and farmers, and features more than thirty original patterns for adult and child-sized garments designed especially for Knitting in America. In addition to the designer profiles, the book includes special features on locations such as a musk-oxen farm in Montana, a school in Detroit where children learn to knit before they learn to read, and a New Mexico yarn shop that supplies many of this country's top gallery artists with handspun, naturally dyed fibers. The thirty-plus patterns in the book range in difficulty from basic to advanced and in style from traditional to contemporary. The patterns are clear, the charts easy to read, and a complete listing of mail-order sources ensures that the patterns can be executed to perfection.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Essays

221 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 1996

About the author

Melanie Falick is the editorial director of STC Craft. She is a prolific and popular author of knitting books.

Reviews

[Cheryl]

I'm conflicted about how to rate this book because it is lovingly compiled and lavishly illustrated and spans all of American history, from Jamestown to art knitting today. How can I be so hard-hearted as to give only three stars to a book with a pattern for the very first knitted hat of North America? Yet, for all the facts that the author musters for every chapter, it's so very hard to read and to get new insights about knitting in the context of American culture because the facts aren't digested by the author. There's no narrative. You just can't sit down and read it cover to cover--it's a matter of dropping in to learn a little about this era, a sidebar about this person, look at the pictures, consider whether a historical pattern is worth trying (they are a big sketchy on the details, and intimidating). I like the book but cannot love it.

[Annie]

Beautiful pictures, but the designs seem a little dated to me and all of them are too involved for the amount of knitting time I have in my life now. The knitters, spinners, and designers featured in this book are interesting, but it’s a little demoralizing that so few of these very talented people are able to make a living from their work. (Also, every last one of them is white). I particularly liked the work of Katharine Cobey, and am fascinated by Katharine Alexander’s three-dimensional entrelac. It’s the kind of sculptural fabric I’ve been wanting to play with since first seeing Issey Miyake’s work.

[Laura]

I liked looking through the pictures in this book. There were some pretty cool patterns. The photos throughout were interesting and showcased the knitted items well. The patterns were fun and colorful, but I didn't find anything I wanted to knit, though. I'd probably still recommend to others.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Valerie]

Although a beautiful book, the patterns are very difficult.

[Jessica]

Interesting, wish more of the patterns were simple things that I have a hope in hell of making.

[Karen]

I've never read this book through, but years ago I looked at & loved it - before the days of Goodreads. I think it's worth another look sometime. I think this is where I found the pattern for my FAVORITE wimple, which I've knitted at least 3 times.

[Laura]

Just a good coffee table type book. Lots of fun information and pictures. Great read for those that like to read about knitting as much as knitting itself!

[Pat McDermott]

Very inspirational

[Micebyliz]

superb.

[Tonileg]

History mixed with knitting patterns with an American theme.
Lots of colorful sweaters, cardigans for men, women and children, but again, it feels like 1970s to 1990's style cables and color work. Nothing that I would make for myself, but I like simple vintage (1920's to 1950's styles). This is really for people that like to color charts and complicated patterns where you'll have to concentrate.
223 pages and large format hardback book full of colorful pictures and a cute chapter where they teach children to knit in school (what a great idea!).
3 stars

[Melissa]

I didn't know what this book was about when I requested it through the library. It is made up of two page profiles of various women in America who are related to knitting through breeding animals for wool, breeding cotton, and/or designing patterns. it was fascinating (though discouraging!) to read about their lives and how they approached their work.

[Liz]

A good capsule of the era and an introduction to the career beginnings of some of our most well known knitwear designers. Am going to be rereading and studying this in more depth after the first quick run-through, for hints and detailed instructions.

[Diane]

A review of knitting designers and gifted knitters across America along with gorgeous (but difficult) patterns.

Worth a read just to see the patterns and the height of knitting design.

[Caroline]

My Aunt Katy is in this book!

[Karen]

Many of my knitting books sit on the shelf getting dusty, but this one is a visual delight. It never fails to inspire me to grab the sticks and string.

[ThePinkCarrot]

Even though this book is outdated, the stories and knitting are wonderful.

[Minnesinger]

Wow--what a terrific book. Packed with patterns by designers from the four corners of America. My fave is "Schoolhouse Shetland" by Meg Swansen, followed by the Colorado Cashmere Wimples.

[Lene]

This was food for several of my longstanding fantasies.

[Jenn]

Didn't like the patterns, but the stories about the people were very interesting