KnitLit (too): Stories from Sheep to Shawl . . . and More Writing About Knitting

by Linda Roghaar (editor), Molly Wolf (Editor)

Knitters are a breed unto themselves. They speak their own language, and they harbor a passion for their craft that takes a strong hold, blocking out troubles and worry, whenever they pick up the needles. But knitters are not exclusionary—all are welcome into the warm circle once you appreciate the beauty of hand-spun and dyed yarn, the sense of focus that comes with starting a new project, and the joy of creating something beautiful to share with a loved one. In their first book, Sweaters and Their Stories, Linda Roghaar and Molly Wolf brought together a heaping stash of stories by knitters and for knitters that spoke to the power of knitting in people’s lives. Now, without a single dropped stitch, here is KnitLit Stories from Sheep to Shawl. Featuring another rich array of contributors, KnitLit Too includes folksinger Christine Lavin and writers Perri Klass, Lesléa Newman, and Suzanne Strempek Shea. Featured as well are stories by a third-grader who picks up the needles for the first time, a mother waiting to wrap her soon-to-be-adopted child in the blanket she made for him, a sister upstaged by her Merchant Marine brother who just so happens to be a natural knitter, a man who is forced to admit to the new woman in his life that, yes, he knows how to knit, and a young girl living with her mother in a battered women’s shelter who is brought back from the brink when she learns to knit. Rounding out these heartwarming true tales are original poetry, meditations, fiction, and even a mystery, all about knitting. KnitLit Too features more than 70 pieces, some sweet and touching, others inspirational or hilarious, and all woven together by the dedication and devotion that knitters feel for a cherished hobby that is for many a way of life.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Crafts, Essays

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2004

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara]

I don't knit, but I enjoyed reading this book by and about knitters. The pieces are all short and follow on straight after one another, so that the reader can find it hard to stop reading as they don't finish at the bottom of a page very often.

Common themes are being taught to knit as a child by a loved relative or friend; being unable to knit until adulthood; men who knit casually; knitting and giving away garments; making friendships through knitting. The enjoyment of vibrant colours and softness comes out in many stories, so the wools (called yarn often in the Canadian/ American compilation) seem to roll off the page and have a separate place in the knitter's heart to a garment.

I particularly enjoyed a few items - by or about men who knit, including one man who knitted at sea in the Navy to pass the time and one husband who taught himself to knit complex pot holders from string while at work in a rubber factory.

I also loved the pieces about sheep and other wool-producing animals such as alpacas, called fiber animals (that would be fibre to me) by the hardened wool-gatherers; not to mention the home dyeing that goes on when a gardener gets going. Indigo, woad, rose madder, nettle and marigold are just some of her dye herbs.

One of my favourite pieces was under a heading to do with stash - this is the collection which accumulates as a knitter has some wool balls left over, or buys them but never uses them, or is given them because she knits and someone may as well use them. The lady writer warns that stash can take over your life and home as there is never enough to knit a single garment in matching colour or texture; that carrying it around in the boot of the car uses extra petrol; and that the myth that you can't die until all your stash is used up is untrue, as you have probably gained a lot of your stash from deceased knitters' estates.

I bought this for my mum who knits, but I'm glad I read it before passing it on to her. Just a little thank-you for all the beautiful knitting she has done for me.

[Claudia Cheyne]

This book is a collection of essays and poems written by knitters of all skill levels, as well as people who take it to a whole different level by raising sheep and spinning their own yarn. As someone who learned to knit as a child, it was an interesting book to read - one which made me appreciate how many people identify as knitters, how they became proficient in their craft and why they were drawn to it in the first place. Who can resist a soft, colorful skein of yarn anyway?

[Cindy]

Being a knitter I enjoyed this collection of short stories/anecdotes all having something to do with the knitting craft, but I honestly think that non-knitters would rate this book lower than my 4 stars. While some selections would have universal appeal, others would appeal more to those who knit.

[Rachel Markos]

Written in 2004, I should have expected more reference to 9/11 and god. I found that chapter grating. There are some gems in this collection,Cauldrons of Color by Jannette Ryan-Busch was a perfectly positioned end of book story to read on Beltane. Merry meet.

[Monica]

Another wonderful collection of stories about yarn, knitting, love, life and... sheep! I'm so glad that there is a third in the collection to look forward to!

[Elaine]

This was on the book shelf in my Spinning guild. I've not read the first collection of stories but I'm sure that wont matter.

Some happy and some sad tales about knitting. Most only a few pages long, nice to read between rows.

[Knitology]

Featuring another rich array of contributors, KnitLit Too includes folksinger Christine Lavin and writers Perri Klass, Lesléa Newman, and Suzanne Strempek Shea. Featured as well are stories by a third-grader who picks up the needles for the first time, a mother waiting to wrap her soon-to-be-adopted child in the blanket she made for him, a sister upstaged by her Merchant Marine brother who happens to be a natural knitter, a man who is forced to admit to the new woman in his life that, yes, he knows how to knit, and a young girl living with her mother in a battered women’s shelter who is brought back from the brink when she learns to knit. Rounding out these heartwarming true tales are original poetry, meditations, fiction, and even a mystery, all about knitting.

[Ann]

The Stephanie Pearl McPhee story that kicks off this collection about trying to knit while ice skating was absolutely hilarious, but the rest of this book fell flat for me. I appreciate the idea of putting together personal memories about knitting and how it affected the authors' lives...but for the most part they didn't seem to have a point, and even those that were genuinely touching got lost among the cloying overwrought ones.

[Samantha]

It was an enjoyable read, a book I'd take with me while I ate my meals in solitude in Crossroads. There were several 9/11 stories which I skimmed over, since I don't care for 9/11 much.
Recommended!

[Deirdre]

Warm, thoughtful, interesting stories about knitting and knitting people.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

found this at the library on 2/21 ~ looks interesting!

[Wyn]

Funny, touching, and enlightening. People knit (or not) for a lot of reasons - relaxation, creativity, or tradition. This book explores a lot of the feelings people have about the process.

[Juliet]

This book made me want to knit constantly.

[Becca]

Cute and relatable.

[Tricia]

I enjoyed this but not as much as the first one.

[Sue K]

Nice, light stories that I read while enjoying my evening bath

[Angela]

Bummed - it wasn't for me but don't let this puny review discourage you.

[Brandie]

Cute. Light-hearted read. A collection of stories is something I don't usually read, but it was quite good, and about knitting - bonus! LOL!

[Josie]

Another great mesh of heartwarming stories from other knitters.

[Elsa]

Again...Wolf found just the right stories to compile in this 2nd book in the series. Enjoy it with a cup of tea!

[Susy]

Thoroughly enjoyed these essays on knitting from a wide variety of authors, knitters, spinners, etc. Some stories make me laugh, others bring a tear to the eye.

[Terri]

Fun stories about a love for knitting

[Theresa F.]

Did I like it? It was amazing.
Would I reread it? I have.
Would I recommend it? Yes.