“Susan has placed the history of knitting within the context of American history, so we can clearly see how knitting is intertwined with such subjects as geography, migration, politics, economics, female emancipation, and evolving social mores. She has traced how a melting pot of knitting traditions found their way into American culture via vast waves of immigration, expanded opportunity for travel, and technology.” —Melanie Falick This is the history that Knitting America celebrates. Beautifully illustrated with vintage pattern booklets, posters, postcards, black-and-white historical photographs, and contemporary color photographs of knitted pieces in private collections and in museums, this book is an exquisite view of America through the handiwork of its knitters.

Provides 19 skill-building lessons designed to help new and out-of-practice knitters master specific techniques from stripes and cables to lace and pleats, in a guide organized by ability level that is complemented by expert tips and troubleshooting advice. Original.

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the celebrated blogger and humorist of the knitting world, is back, continuing her running dialogue with her knitting compatriots. Both a celebration of knitting and a sourcebook for practical information, this book is a collection of useful advice and emotional support for the knitter. Pearl-McPhee examines essential truisms of knitting, side by side with tongue in-cheek warnings, realities, and fantasies about the act of knitting and the people who do it. She unravels the mysteries of what it is that makes knitting click, and dares to question longstanding rules and uncover the true essence of what makes a hat a hat, a sock a sock, and so on. Insights into why certain techniques work encourage knitters to take control and knit in the way that works best for them.--From publisher description.

If you want to learn how to knit, improve your knitting skills, and become a better knitter, then check out “HowExpert Guide to Knitting.” Are you interested in learning to knit but are unsure of where to start? This book covers everything the beginning knitter needs to know and makes an excellent reference book for intermediate and experienced knitters alike. The techniques in this book are deconstructed and detailed in clear, easy-to-follow steps, along with instructions to create a swatch for practice. Five project patterns are included and cover the stitches and skills covered in the early chapters for maximum memorization and repetition. After working through this book, the knitter will know: - Whether they prefer to use English or Continental style knitting - How to hold the knitting needles and tension the yarn - The differences between Straight Needles, Double Pointed Needles, and Circular Needles - How to knit back and forth, or “flat” such as for scarves - How to knit in circles, or “in the round” such as for hats - How to use the Magic Loop and Traveling Loop methods in the round - How to knit a swatch and determine proper gauge - 2 Cast On methods to begin projects - The Knit and Purl stitches - 2 increase stitches, which add to the total stitch count - 2 decreases stitches, which reduce the total stitch count - 3 Bind Off methods to finish projects Check out “HowExpert Guide to Knitting” and learn how to knit starting today! About the Expert Jeanne Torrey lives near Baltimore, Maryland, with her three kids, college BFF, and tuxedo cat. She has been knitting since 2010 and has knit more than 200 projects. You can find her on Ravelry.com under the username KnitsaTrap. When she’s not knitting, Jeanne enjoys sewing, writing, and video games. She also practices the martial arts of Tae-Kwon-Do (currently a 2nd-degree black belt), Eskrima (green sash, Cacoy Doces Pares), and has recently started building her own gaming PC. Honorable mentions go to Jeanne’s family for enabling her fiber habit, especially her mom, for providing proofreading support. This book is dedicated to Joey, Noah, and Leslie, who have appreciated every hand-knit gift Jeanne made them. HowExpert publishes quick ‘how to’ guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.

Easy patterns for charity knitting projects from blankets to bears! All across America, people are knitting for peace. In yarn shops and private homes, churches and synagogues, schools and even prisons, they meet on weekday evenings or weekend afternoons to knit afghans for refugees, mittens for the homeless, socks for soldiers, or preemie caps for AIDS babies. The tradition goes back as far as Martha Washington, who spearheaded knitting efforts for the soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and has seen a recent flourishing in what is nowadays called “charity knitting,” “community knitting,” or “knitting for others.” And whether it’s for world peace, community peace, or peace of mind, today’s various causes have the common goal of knitting the world into a better place one stitch at a time. Knitting for Peace is an exceptional book that celebrates the long heritage of knitting for others. It tells the stories of 28 contemporary knitting-for-peace endeavors and features patterns for easy-to-knit charity projects such as hats, socks, blankets, and bears, plus a messenger bag emblazoned with the Knitting for Peace logo. Enlivened by anecdotal sidebars and quotations from both knitters and peacemakers, this inspiring book also includes everything readers need to know to start their own knitting-for-peace groups.