Family Stories and Inspired Knits From Top Designers
by Larissa Brown
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2011)
While knitting is no longer seen as a craft for grannies, we can't deny the tradition and history of their stitches. The fact is that many of today's hippest knitters found their passion for knitting after being taught by a grandmother or another revered family member. My Grandmother's Knitting: Family Stories and Inspired Knits From Top Designers celebrates the link between generations and how our families help to shape the crafters we become.
In My Grandmother's Knitting, author Larissa Brown brings together 26 influential knitters to talk about the people (and places) who influenced them most during their childhood. They share stories of grandmothers, great-aunts, mothers, fathers and childhood homes before giving us 22 patterns inspired by these special memories. Among the contributors are Wendy Bernard, Cookie A, Jared Flood, Ysolda Teague, Meg Swansen and Ravelry founder, Jessica Marshall Forbes.
The patterns range from vintage inspired to modern and classy. Projects include an elegant cape, cozy house slippers, antique-like dishcloths, warm cowls, sweet fingerless mitts, a traditional Norwegian pullover, beautiful socks and more. I've already flagged several of the patterns with post-its.
Pick up a copy of My Grandmother's Knitting for yourself and grab an extra for that family member or friend who helped hone your stitching skills. The patterns are fabulous, the photography is beautiful, but most of all the, stories are delightfully heartwarming. Handwrite your own memories inside the front cover when you gift a copy to the person who taught you to knit - or perhaps to someone you are teaching - and keep the inspiration going...
About the Author: Larissa Brown began knitting when she was five years old, hanging out on her grandmother Olive's couch in New Jersey. Today, Larissa lives in Portland, Oregon where she spends her time designing knitting patterns and dying yarn with Pico Accuardi Dyeworks. In 2008 she co-authored the book Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together with her husband, Martin John Brown. Her hand-knit designs have appeared in Knit.1 magazine, Knitty and on her blog, Stitch Marker.
3 comments:
Looks interesting. I love a pattern book with stories... Can't buy a copy for the women who taught me to knit though... both are deceased.
My Mom taught me and though she tried over and over to teach my Grandmother, it just never took. Oh well! Sounds like an interesting read.
I was taught to crochet by my great aunt. It just spiraled out from there. She still fusses at me in her thick german accent that "knitting is too slow". lol
Post a Comment