Saturday, 5 July 2014

Knitting Wisdom

I read many blogs and have a growing collection of knitting books, but there are two places I will most often go when I am in search of Knitting Wisdom. 

If it's a "technique" type of question, my first port of call is always The Principles of Knitting (I talked about it here, and now also have the kindle edition so it's literally with me ALL the time via my phone or ipad.) If it's general words of wisdom that I'm after, surely there is no one better than the Yarn Harlot herself, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. She's a great knitter - of course - but I don't look to her for techniques (tips, yes, there are plenty of those) but what I find most helpful is how she relates her knitting to everyday life in a way which I not only understand but which strikes such a chord. If you haven't read her books, I'd recommend taking a look - they are both practical and incredibly funny. I'll give you an example:
Even when it isn't going well, knitting can be deeply spiritual. Knitting sets goals that you can meet. Sometimes when I work on something complicated or difficult - ripping out my work and starting over, poring over tomes of knitting expertise, screeching "I don't get it!" white practically weeping with frustration - my husband looks at me and says, "I don't know why you think you like knitting." I just stare at him. I don't like knitting. I LOVE knitting. I don't know what could have possible led him to think that I'm not enjoying myself. The cursing? The crying? The fourteen sheets of shredded graph paper? Knitting is like a marriage (I tell him) and you don't just trash the whole thing because there are bad moments.
- Extract from The Secret Life of a Knitter 

I've been enjoying some of my favourite quotes from her books - you'll find many of them here.

Where do you look for Knitting Wisdom? 

4 comments:

  1. For knitting wisdom I go between 'principles of knitting, Elizabeth Zimmerman and the yarn harlot, between the three i always find my answer ��

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are two of my favourites. I also enjoy http://techknitting.blogspot.co.uk/ for some experimental and highly geeky wisdom and Barbara Walker for matter of fact, soothing sweater wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really need to buy one of " The Yarn Harlot's" books soon, I really enjoy what she writes. Though I am not too good with reading a blog on a computer vs. reading a book. The Principles of Knitting, also sound really good. I might also get that - So thank you for that:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having just ripped back 4 rounds of crochet blanket edging, I love the quote above. Going to look up the book now.... x

    ReplyDelete

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