Knitting For Peace

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.

Britain is one of a triumvirate of nations - the others being France and Italy - that is revered globally for its fine craftsmanship and heritage skills. However, while France is wedded to the continuation of 17th- and18th-century master craftsmanship and Italy is focused on particular materials, notably leather working and stone working, Britain is uniquely able to both look back and move forward where craft is concerned. Nowhere else will you find true excellence and mastery of a craft coupled with such innovation and eye for design. Craftsmanship in Britain is neither dying nor dead, but is a continuing and exciting exploration of process, materials and ideas spanning architecture, interiors, fashion and art. Cool, Calm and Collected introduces the vast array of British craft, from the craftspeople who keep the heritage alive, such as Savile Row tailors and stained-glass makers, to crafts on the edge of extinction - clog makers, damask weavers - and urban craft, artists and more. Illustrated throughout with stunning shots of the finished products, to behind-the-scenes images in studios and workshops or craftspeople at work, this timely publication celebrates the bespoke craft skills of Britain as a global force, and will hopefully inspire a new generation to seriously consider a professional life in craft.

For as long as people have knitted, they have gathered to share their craft0́4and each others company. Knitting bees brought industrious colonists together to socialize. Knitters joined forces during the World Wars to knit warm socks for soldiers. And today the bond between knitters is as strong as ever, with knitting circles springing up in neighborhood coffee shops and community centers, making their way online, and taking up social causes. This book puts the knitting circle, with all its profit and pleasures, within reach of anyone who wants to Knit It Together. A delightful, practical resource for knitters hoping to start or join a circle, or for a knitting circle looking for patterns or inspiration, the book provides how-to tips as well as wonderful stories of knitting circles past and present0́4and best of all, a collection of patterns designed to be completed in a group.

“A cozy and charming collection of essays about the joys of knitting—complete with lovely patterns and yummy recipes” (Kate Jacobs, author of The Friday Night Knitting Club). A Knitter’s Home Companion is an illustrated collection of stories, patterns, and recipes from beloved knitter and essayist Michelle Edwards. This heartwarming title will appeal to knitters interested in not only stitches, yarn, and patterns, but also in the lives of other knitters, the lessons that can be learned from their craft, the ways knitting helps knitters cope during difficult times, and the role of knitting in family life. “Let [this book] keep you company when you need another knitter’s voice beside you,” Edwards writes in her introduction. Like a good friend, A Knitter’s Home Companion will inspire readers to laugh, cry, remember, be thoughtful, cook, and, of course, pick up their needles—sometimes to soothe, sometimes to celebrate, and sometimes to just pass the time. Divided into four chapters—Motherhood, Home, Community, and Legacy—stories range from “But She Doesn’t Have Any Underpants,” about the challenges of knitting for family to “Home Ec Workshop and the Mystery of the Indian Slipper,” about finding community at a local yarn shop. Projects range from mittens and socks to a baby blanket and afghan.

Mindfulness in Knitting casts fresh light on this famously calming craft and reveals how the simple repetition of plain and purl can nurture wellbeing. Through personal anecdote and mindfulness exercises, this book explores how everyone can experience the joys of making and looks at the numerous benefits of taking up one of the simplest and most useful of crafts.

“Thiessen’s new book is all about promoting creativity at a slower pace, offering advice on finding the time and space to knit in a restful, calming way.” —The Knitter Slow Knitting introduced crafters to a process of more mindful making through five basic tenets: source carefully, make thoughtfully, think seasonally, experiment fearlessly, and explore openly. Now, this seasonal approach encourages knitters to delve deeper into those concepts, applying them to everyday making through a series of essays, projects, and patterns that explore the life of a knitter throughout the year. Organized similarly to a seasonal planting guide or farmer’s almanac, each chapter and section is designed to identify and encourage small ways that knitters may begin to employ noticeable change: organizing your yarn stash, carving out time for knitting, and starting on that baby blanket in a timely manner. The ideas explored here add up to a fuller, more mindful year, all through the joyful experience that is knitting.

Knit a traditional gansey sweater with indigo yarn. Tour a spinning mill. Discover five ways to cast on for socks. Meet your personal knitting hero. The Knitter’s Life List is a richly illustrated compilation of 1,001 experiences and adventures that devout knitters won’t want to miss. You’ll find classic techniques to master, time-honored patterns to try, unusual yarns to work with, museums to see, books to read, and much more. Get inspired and live the knitting life of your dreams!

Presents 9 crochet designs. In addition to photography and instructions, this title also includes featurettes, tips, and ideas.