When most people think of their grandmother’s knitting, they might not immediately see the connection to a modern knitter’s life. But in My Grandmother’s Knitting, Larissa Brown shows us that nothing could be further from the truth. Many of today’s hippest and most popular knitters found their passion for knitting under the tutelage of their grandmother or another revered family member, and in this book, they share stories and patterns inspired by their memories and their gratitude. Among the 26 contributors to My Grandmother’s Knitting are STC Craft authors Wendy Bernard (Custom Knits series), Teva Durham (Loop-d-Loop series), Norah Gaughan (Knitting Nature), Joan McGowan-Michael (Knitting Lingerie Style), and Leigh Radford (AlterKnits series and One More Skein) as well as many other popular designers such as Jared Flood, Cookie A., Ysolda Teague, Anne Hanson, Kay Gardiner, and Meg Swansen. Praise for My Grandmother's Knitting: “This is a pattern book with a twist. . . . Full of useful information and easy-to-knit garments, Custom Knits 2 is a good choice for knitters looking to adapt designs and venture into designing their own garments.” —Creative Knitting Magazine “In [My Grandmother’s Knitting], Brown weaves family stories and early knitting memories of her interview subjects into poignant evidence that today’s knitters have a strong connection to the knitters who came before them.” —CraftSanity “This is a thoroughly charming book . . . A heartfelt celebration of shared creativity.” —Knitty.com "Wonderful family stories are shared by those such as Meg Swansen, Norah Gaughan, Kirsten Kapur and Kay Gardiner. The projects in this book, as you can imagine, with the star-studded lineup of designers, are a beautiful assortment of accessories and women's garments. The look and feel of this book is so inviting and beautiful, with lovely photography by Michael Crouser. In all ways, this book is a true work of art and heart." —Petite Purls

Stories from contemporary writers and from the WPA's Federal Writer's Project tell of knitting through adversity of all kinds. The poignant, often lyrical tales convey the hope found in handiwork.

Knitters-there are some 38 million of them in the United States alone-are part of a tradition that's both plainly practical and deeply spiritual. With needles clicking, they weave together not just garments to warm the body but also comfort and companionship to nurture the soul. This tradition is flowering today through knitting ministries, a worldwide ecumenical movement of women's groups, gathering to pray and knit for those in need and those celebrating life's joys. As they create shawls for others, their handiwork becomes an expression of their love-and of the loving care of the God who works through them. Knitting into the Mystery shares the stories of how this ministry has touched lives and hearts around the world. It offers directions for knitting the shawls and for starting a parish or community knitting ministry. It also provides a selection of prayers, written from many faith traditions, to offer with each completed shawl. Book jacket.

Knitters: It's time to take it to the next level. And who better than Debbie Stoller to show you how. The expert knitter and gifted, edgy author who introduced knitting to a new generation with her New York Times bestseller, Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook, now shows her readers how to do more—lots more. Stitch 'n Bitch Superstar Knitting is the only knitter's handbook to teach the full array of advanced knitting techniques and skills, such as double-knitting, knitting lace, complicated color work, beading, and more. Writing with the clarity that makes her such an effective teacher, and the attitude that got her dubbed "knitting superstar" (San Francisco Chronicle), Stoller explains how to "knit by the numbers;" get creative with stripes; embellish with crochet, beading, and I-cords; how to make cable patterns; and how to use color forms. There's also a whole section on DIY—which gives a tutorial on creating your own knitting patterns. And then the brilliant icing on the cake—41 cool, funky, and fabulous patterns from Debbie and the Stitch 'n Bitch community: a fluttery Rococco Shawl, Cap Sleeve Lattice Sweater, Jackie-O sequined cardigan, Empire Strikes Back dress, the adorable Button It children's sweater with changeable animal patches. Plus sexy stockings, stylish handbags, blankets, scarves, and more, all photographed in full-color.

Learn how the meditative practice of knitting can evolve in to a spiritual discipline. One third (53 million) of American women know how to knit, and knitting is becoming increasingly popular with men as well. Many of these knitters belong to social knitting circles, charity knitting groups, or knit with others in churches, cafes—and even in bars! This book shows how knitting creates connections and communities, and ties the repetition of knitting to the consistent recitation of prayer. It also compares the act of knitting to the spiritual journey, from starting something new to how we handle mistakes. Many people would like to incorporate a spiritual practice into their frenetic lives only to become discouraged and give up when they try. Those who knit are able to experience its calming effects and dedicate time to their craft each day.

One surviving cotton sock tells us that the Egyptians were knitting as long ago as the first millennium AD. Tenderly preserved shawls and sweaters bespeak our great-grandmothers handiwork. And colorful strands of yarn escaping from a basket in the corner show that the tradition lives on with us. That tradition, celebrated in the stories and essays in this book, knits together a world of warmth and memory, wisdom and camaraderie. These writings--sometimes amusing, sometimes moving, always entertaining--comprise a charming scrapbook reflecting the myriad cultural and historical aspects of knitting. Ranging from the days of World War II to our own time, they include offerings by Jamaica Kincaid, Melanie Falick, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen, Susan Gordon Lydon, Pam Allen, Lela Nargi, Perri Klass, Teva Durham, and many others. Artwork by Solveig Hisdal, fiber artists Debbie New and Karen Searle, and photographer Chris Hartlove, along with historical photographs, vintage advertising, and pattern booklets, brings the color and textures of these stories to vibrant life. Whether you ply knitting needles yourself or simply appreciate the art, this collection will enfold you in all the softness, warmth, and beauty of knitting today and yesterday.

Knitting is the miracle of creating new dimensions from a strand of yarn. Let it bring that miraculous transformation to your spiritual life too. This book is about seeing and listening. It’s about becoming aware that through knitting you can hear and give attention to what’s in your heart and soul—that knitting can be a place of rest and thought and a place for the Divine. It’s about connection—to yourself, to the world, to others and to the Holy. —from the Preface What can you learn about yourself through your knitting? What deeper symbolism lies behind the loops and patterns that you create? How can this simple activity help you make your way down a spiritual path? Delve into these questions and more in this imaginative book that will become your spiritual friend, your teacher and your sanctuary. Follow the knitting journeys of the authors and other knitters to discover how they have used their knitting to explore and strengthen their spiritual selves, and how you can do the same. In this joyful and engaging look at a time-honored craft you are invited to: Find time and space that was previously hidden in plain sight Try creative, thought-provoking original knitting patterns Recognize and deepen spiritual connections through knitting Meet other knitters on the journey to spiritual and self- discovery Explore new ways to expand and savor your knitting community Recognize your own power to pass along the knitting wisdom

Knitting is many things to many people Knitting is a way of life The Twenty-First Wish by Debbie Macomber Widow Anne Marie Roche and her adopted daughter, ten-year-old Ellen, have each written a list of twenty wishes—on which they included learning to knit. Like many of their wishes, it's come true, and now they knit every day. But Ellen has quietly added a twenty-first wish: that her mom will fall in love with Tim, Ellen's birth father, who has recently entered their lives… Knitting is a passion Coming Unraveled by Susan Mallery When Robyn Mulligan's dreams of becoming a Broadway star give way to an intense longing for her childhood home, she decides it's time to make a fresh start back in Texas, running her grandmother's knitting store. But the handsome, hot-tempered T. J. Passman—who's joined the shop's knitting circle—isn't making it easy. If he can learn to trust Robyn and overcome his tragic past, they just might discover a passion like no other. Knitting is a comfort Return to Summer Island by Christina Skye After a devastating car accident, Caro McNeal finds healing on Oregon's sleepy Summer Island, where she's warmly embraced by a community of knitters. She also finds meaning and purpose in the letters she exchanges with a marine serving in Afghanistan. But when life takes another unexpected turn, will Caro untangle her fears and pick up the threads of hope?

Learn to pamper friends and loved ones with lavish and fun knitted gifts. Projects are broken down into four different categories by style and include hats, mittens, purses, wraps, tops, sweaters, and socks--all of which are simple to make and require minimal yarn. Tips are provided for embellishing each project with different fabrics, edgings, and stitching patterns, making personalization easy, even for novices. Beautiful photographs and color illustrations detailing how to create each piece, as well as contemporary designs and small, quick projects make this guide a must-have for the gift-giving knitter.

Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. While knitting books featuring such hip projects as iPod cozies and yoga mat bags abound, few explore the subculture of knitting in any depth. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Wills takes the reader on a fascinating tour of this subculture, complete with lively anecdotes and revealing interviews. Those who are new to the craft will enjoy a fascinating introduction to the knitting community, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since knitting that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together. Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. Books that cater to this new generation of knitters are flooding the market with patterns for such contemporary projects as iPod cozies, yoga mat bags, and laptop covers. The attitude of these publications is decidedly hip, featuring models sporting tattoos or piercings. Missing from the avalanche of knitting books, until now, is one that fully explores the subculture of knitting. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Intrepid journalist and avid knitter Kerry Wills set out to find out. She takes us on a fascinating tour through the history of knitting, exploring the lives of such women as the revolutionary Elizabeth Zimmermann, whose strong opinions and classic book, Knitting without Tears, popularized knitting in the 1970s, anticipating current trends. Wills visits knitting groups that meet at such places as a feminist vegetarian restaurant, churches, pubs, and senior centers. She describes political activists who knit tree cozies to protect the trees against developers, groups that knit afghans for Afghans, and knitters who make shawls for people with cancer. She also explores online knitting communities. Those who are new to the craft will come away feeling more connected to the history of knitting as well as to their place in today's universe of knitters, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since stitching that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together.