At Knit's End : Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much
14 journalers for this copy...
I bought this book at Borders to make into a bookring.Stephanie Pearl-McPhee has been entertaining people online in her blog: Yarn Harlot long before she published this book. The same humor infuses this book. Styled after a daily meditations book each page is made up of a quote, an anecdote and a knitting thought to meditate on. Often clever they do cut right to the heart of being a knitting ethuisist. Advice includes:
"Do not be tricked. Not all yarn is meant to be yours, no matter how good a deal it is."
"I will accept that some sock yarns simply produce fraternal rather than identical twins."
"I will remember that not everyone understands. I will resist the urge to ask others what they do when they watch TV."
Current list of participants (subject to order change):
- Brookeworm (Canada)** [US/Canada]
- firrantello (NC, USA)**
- LaRue (NY, USA)***
- Ilios (FL, USA)** (US/Canada)
- sheriver (CA, USA)*
- molly_grue (WA, USA)**
- knitwit (PA, USA)*
- enlith (NC, USA)*
- wyvernfriend (Ireland)*
- AnglersRest (UK)*
- WelshHelen (UK)** (UK/Europe)
- YowlYY (UK)* <- currently here
- abs (US)**
- omly (USA, MA)
* will ship internationally
** would prefer not to ship internationally
***can not ship internationally
Rules of this bookring:
- When you receive the book please ensure that you journal it.
- Read it as soon as you can.
- When you've finished reading it, make a journal entry and contact the next person on the list.
- If no response is received after two attempts, contact me and then next person on the list.
- When you send the book on make a journal entry.
Being a mom I found a few of the anecdotes about being both a mother and a knitter fairly close to home. My favorite anecdote was the following:
"My daughter and I were trapped in a seemingly endless bank line. Now me, I'm an experienced mother. I had a children's book, a baggie of snacks, and my knitting in my purse. I've been in this line before and now I come prepared. The woman in line ahead of us had come with nothing but her sons and her wits, and she was showing clear signs of not only losing her temper but also developing a twitch over one eye. My daughter watched the woman becoming increasingly agitated and finally commented to the woman's son, 'Your mom should get some knitting; that's what my mommy looks like without it.'"
"My daughter and I were trapped in a seemingly endless bank line. Now me, I'm an experienced mother. I had a children's book, a baggie of snacks, and my knitting in my purse. I've been in this line before and now I come prepared. The woman in line ahead of us had come with nothing but her sons and her wits, and she was showing clear signs of not only losing her temper but also developing a twitch over one eye. My daughter watched the woman becoming increasingly agitated and finally commented to the woman's son, 'Your mom should get some knitting; that's what my mommy looks like without it.'"
This was waiting for me in my mail box when I got back from a short vacation to visit my family. Thanks, omly, for initiating this bookring. I'm really enjoying this book so far!
I quite enjoyed this book. I liked the structure of quote - anecdote - meditation. It created a kind of set-up - joke - punchline progression for the funny entries and an overview - situation - reflection progression for the more meditative ones. Some of the humorous entires were so funny I laughed out loud, which won me some stares by the people around me (not everyone on the subway gets the joke about the one knit sock). Predictably, a lot of the humour would be best appreciated by knitters, which tends to make it a bit exclusionary, but then a doubt many non-knitters would pick it up, anyway. If any do, I hope in intrigues them enough to encourage them to look into learning the art themselves.
My main criticism is that it tends to get repetitive towards the end. You can see where Yarn Harlot started running out of steam. Overall a very entertaining book that I plan to purchase for my permanent collection. It's the kind of book that you can open to a random page for inspiration or just a laugh whenever you need it.
My main criticism is that it tends to get repetitive towards the end. You can see where Yarn Harlot started running out of steam. Overall a very entertaining book that I plan to purchase for my permanent collection. It's the kind of book that you can open to a random page for inspiration or just a laugh whenever you need it.
Journal Entry 5 by Brookeworm at -- Controlled Release in Toronto, Ontario Canada on Thursday, October 20, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (10/20/2005 UTC) at -- Controlled Release in Toronto, Ontario Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
In the mail to the next in the ring. Enjoy!
In the mail to the next in the ring. Enjoy!
It arrived on Friday, but I didn't get the slip for it until after the Housing office pick-up closed. So I picked it up this morning. 40 pages in and already enjoying it greatly!
Very cute book. It was a fast, easy read. I think I might have to find my own copy at some point. A lot of the relationship-with-her-husband ones made me grin, my boyfriend acts very similarly sometimes!
Journal Entry 8 by firrantello at A Fellow BXer in USPS, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (11/2/2005 UTC) at A Fellow BXer in USPS, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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Heading out to NY and LaRue!
Heading out to NY and LaRue!
Just arrived in today's mail, thanks! I just finished a book so I will start this right away.
It fell open to this page - "You know you knit too much when...before you buy anything such as a hammock or curtains, you seriously wonder whether you could knit it."
OK, how did they know I am knitting a curtain for my new bathroom RIGHT NOW? Are they watching me?
It fell open to this page - "You know you knit too much when...before you buy anything such as a hammock or curtains, you seriously wonder whether you could knit it."
OK, how did they know I am knitting a curtain for my new bathroom RIGHT NOW? Are they watching me?
I enjoyed this book, although my one criticism would be that too often the meditations at the end of the entry were merely groan-inducing summations of the story I'd just read. The rest of the time, they were often funny, snarky, sarcastic, etc. I also loved the quotations that were at the top of each entry - some of my favorite people are quoted including Oscar Wilde, Douglas Adams, Albert Einstein and Steven Wright.
I agree the book appeals only to knitters, but I would expect it to. I'm married but my husband doesn't mind my knitting/spinning addictions, probably because he has a serious computer hardware addiction of his own. I have no kids. But despite that, I still liked the book, it's not as if every entry revolves around her husband or kids.
PM'ing the next on the list and will mail it out thereafter.
I agree the book appeals only to knitters, but I would expect it to. I'm married but my husband doesn't mind my knitting/spinning addictions, probably because he has a serious computer hardware addiction of his own. I have no kids. But despite that, I still liked the book, it's not as if every entry revolves around her husband or kids.
PM'ing the next on the list and will mail it out thereafter.
I just received this book today. I am really excited about it. So far, I can relate to the little anecdotes the author presents. I'll quote my favorites once I am done. Thanks for sharing this!
Update 12/19/05
I finished this book a couple of days ago and I thouroughly enjoyed it. Although I have been knitting for 3 or 4 years now, I still do not consider myself an experienced knitter. I do, however, have a knitting obsession! :o) I am very happy about it, though, because it has allowed me to keep my sanity through graduate school. Fortunately, I had a couple of enlightened professorts who understood that I could knit and pay attention in class - knitting was actually the only thing that kept me awake and participating during the most boring classes! :o) So based on my experience, I highly recommend taking up knitting if you are going to apply to grad school. Here's one of my favorite excerpts:
p. 107
You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.
M. Scott Peck
People who knit have long been trying to convince people who don't that they can knit and and listen at the same time. Studies have shown that people often show increased focus and even demonstrate greater recollection while knitting.
Conversely, with some people, knitting is the only thing that gets us through listening to them
Update 12/19/05
I finished this book a couple of days ago and I thouroughly enjoyed it. Although I have been knitting for 3 or 4 years now, I still do not consider myself an experienced knitter. I do, however, have a knitting obsession! :o) I am very happy about it, though, because it has allowed me to keep my sanity through graduate school. Fortunately, I had a couple of enlightened professorts who understood that I could knit and pay attention in class - knitting was actually the only thing that kept me awake and participating during the most boring classes! :o) So based on my experience, I highly recommend taking up knitting if you are going to apply to grad school. Here's one of my favorite excerpts:
p. 107
You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.
M. Scott Peck
People who knit have long been trying to convince people who don't that they can knit and and listen at the same time. Studies have shown that people often show increased focus and even demonstrate greater recollection while knitting.
Conversely, with some people, knitting is the only thing that gets us through listening to them
Journal Entry 12 by Ilios at post office in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, December 19, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (12/19/2005 UTC) at post office in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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mailing to sheriver today!
mailing to sheriver today!
This book was cute. But of course it just made me want to knit more :) I loved the one about "I'll try to rephrain from asking people what THEY do while watching T.V.!"
PMing the next person in line.
PMing the next person in line.
Journal Entry 14 by sheriver at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in Palo Alto, California USA on Saturday, January 21, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/17/2006 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in Palo Alto, California USA
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Sent via Media Mail to next in line. Enjoy!
Sent via Media Mail to next in line. Enjoy!
Received this today; I do have some other rings before this one, but I should get to it soon. Thanks!
I thought that this was really a good, quick read. It had me laughing out loud at times. :)
Reserved for the next reader.
DC# 03041070000256435099
Reserved for the next reader.
DC# 03041070000256435099
Journal Entry 17 by MollyGrue at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 18, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (2/18/2006 UTC) at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Arrived today and I shall begin working it in immediately.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoyed this little book - I saw myself on almost every page. I cannot explain to the uninitiated how wonderful knitting makes me feel so it was fun to read these little passages and find that I am not alone. I ended up keeping the book longer than I expected because I kept picking it up and just randomly reading a couple of pages. May have to just buy a copy for myself someday.
Among my favorites: My knitting is in a constant state of competition with the household chores. After years and years of painful juggling, I have almost decided to completely give up on the housework. The way I see it, I can always clean the house when I am old, but I'll never get this knitting time back.
Off to enlith today
Among my favorites: My knitting is in a constant state of competition with the household chores. After years and years of painful juggling, I have almost decided to completely give up on the housework. The way I see it, I can always clean the house when I am old, but I'll never get this knitting time back.
Off to enlith today
Whew. Well it took me longer than I'd like to get through it and get it out - but only because I had bunches of tests and stuff like that to deal with this week, not to mention the knitting.
I absolutely loved it - I think I might have go to out and get a copy for myself! I couldn't stop grinning and laughing. It's not exactly writting to be read front to back, but since I couldn't put it down, thats what I ended up doing.
My ONLY problem was the "How wrong crochet is!" line. I love knitting, don't get me wrong, but I also love crochet!
I mailed it off today and it should be in Ireland in a week or less!
I absolutely loved it - I think I might have go to out and get a copy for myself! I couldn't stop grinning and laughing. It's not exactly writting to be read front to back, but since I couldn't put it down, thats what I ended up doing.
My ONLY problem was the "How wrong crochet is!" line. I love knitting, don't get me wrong, but I also love crochet!
I mailed it off today and it should be in Ireland in a week or less!
got it today, looking forward to reading it.
I got a little ill so I had a chance to get around to this one. Great fun, a true giggle, has interesting thoughts about knitting and life.
This delightful little book arrived today. Looking forward to reading.
Thanks so much for letting me join this ring, I LOVED it! I started this while we were away in Hay on Wye, for the outside of the UK this is a small town on the Hereford & Wales border that is the home to 39 bookshops. I read half of it while away and then slowed down, so that I could savour the rest of the book. I am going to look out for a copy to add to my PC as I loved it so much and I am in the process of posting some ramblings to my Blog. This book will hit my top 10 books for 2006.
I have the address for WelshHelen, so this will be in the post over the next day or so.
I have the address for WelshHelen, so this will be in the post over the next day or so.
Arrived safely today - thanks, AnglersRest and a big thank you to omly for sharing :-) I'm going to be reading bits and pieces from today onwards, though I have a feeling that when I start reading I won't be able to put it down!
What a brilliant little book! Funny, thought-provoking and clever, it was wonderful to dip into it every now and again. I found the quotations excellent - some profound and some very, very funny and as for the knitting wisdom - it was priceless!
My favourite - "One of these ancient stories recounts how knitters used to knit hair from their own locks into the garment for another, thus binding that person to them forever."
I will accept the legend of this magic charm, both because it is lovely and because it is easier to believe in magic than to try and pick my hair out of my knitting all the time.
I wonder if this is true of cat hair too. If so, my two have got admirers everywhere!
A great book - thank you so much omly, for sharing. I have YowlYY's address and will post to her today.
My favourite - "One of these ancient stories recounts how knitters used to knit hair from their own locks into the garment for another, thus binding that person to them forever."
I will accept the legend of this magic charm, both because it is lovely and because it is easier to believe in magic than to try and pick my hair out of my knitting all the time.
I wonder if this is true of cat hair too. If so, my two have got admirers everywhere!
A great book - thank you so much omly, for sharing. I have YowlYY's address and will post to her today.
Wonderful! Arrived today and I've already read several pages with my afternoon coffee :) It is a delightful read and I am going to order my private copy from amazon straight away ;-)
A wonderful and funny read...but beware, for knitters only! I cannot imagine a non-knitter finding this book as fun and hilarious (but true) as I did, recognising myself in almost every page. My own copy has already arrived, and will surely pick it up every now and then to look up the funniest pages, so this is now ready to leave for the USA :)
Thanks to omly for sharing, and to WelshHelen for mailing it to me :)
I just finished the book today. Oh, how I love the Yarn Harlot! This is my third book of hers that I have read. I liked it, but I can see how later books built off of this first book.
Omly, if you will pm me your address, I'll send the book back to you this week.
Thanks for lending out your books.
Omly, if you will pm me your address, I'll send the book back to you this week.
Thanks for lending out your books.
So sorry to worry you abs! I found this package when cleaning out my partner's car. Going by the post mark it had been there a while. It is safe at home now though.
