First, the facts:
Title: 10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters: A Guide to Holistic Knitting, Yarn, and Life
Author: Vicki Stiefel and Lisa Souza
Published by: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2011
Pages: 166
Type: Patterns and guidance.
Chapters:
1. Find Yourself a Wise Woman
2. Discover Slow Knitting
3. Become a Barefoot Sock Knitter
4. Take the Color Leap of Faith
5. See the Souls of Fibers
6. Listen as the Yarn Speaks to You
7. Value the Partnership in Knitting
8. Learn to Soar Patternless
9. Do it with Hooks
10. Connect the Dots
The In-Depth Look:
This isn’t so much a knitting book (though it’s that too) as a state of mind.
The authors say at the beginning, “Nowadays, we knit for the joy of it. We have fun. We don’t compete. We’re relaxed, even giggly, about knitting and our love of it. We really wanted to do a book that was more–more than patterns–more than yarn–more than style. A book that spoke to all levels and types of knitters; a book that enhanced and expanded any knitter’s experience in both joyful and substantive ways.
What follows is, well, a delight. Bright colorful illustrations, cheery tidbits in the sidebars, and lots of friendly chit-chat about the pleasures of knitting. And they don’t mean your finished pile of knits at the end of the day, either.
No, the authors are all about knitting being a pleasure. Something you enjoy doing, something that enriches your life and makes you a happier, more satisfied human being. I mean, not that they’re making these grand claims for it as if it were the newest wonder drug, but you can tell they truly feel that knitting is GOOD. It’s good for you in the same way finding time to sit on the beach or laugh with your best friend is good for you.
Truly, this is a delightful book. And did I mention the patterns? Fun, cheerful patterns of all types–men, children, women, big projects, small projects.
Honestly, go check it out. You won’t be sorry.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
