Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Power of Knitting
The Power of Knitting: Stitching Together Our Lives in a Fractured World | Loretta Napoleoni
6 posts | 2 read | 6 to read
Purl and stitch: Empowering, healing, and reconnecting us to each other and ourselves In a fractured world plagued by anxiety and loneliness, knitting is coming to the rescue of people from all walks of life. Economist and lifelong knitter Loretta Napoleoni unveils the hidden power of the purl and stitch mantra: an essential tool for the survival of our species, a means for women to influence history, a soothing activity to calm us, and a powerful metaphor of life. This book is a voyage through our history following the yarn of social, economic and political changes - from ancient Egypt and Peru to modern Mongolia, from the spinning bees of the American Revolution to the knitting spies of World War II, and from the hippies' rejection of consumerism to yarnbombing protests against climate change. For the author it is also a personal journey of discovery and salvation, drawing on the wisdom her grandmother passed along as they knit together. Revealing recent discoveries in neuroscience, The Power of Knitting offers proof of the healing powers of knitting on our bodies and minds. Breaking through societal barriers, even nursing broken hearts, and helping to advance cutting-edge science, knitting is still a valuable instrument for navigating our daily lives. As a bonus, the book includes patterns for ten simple yet iconic projects that reflect the creative, empowering spirit of knitting, with complete instructions.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
GingerAntics
post image
Pickpick

Loved Every Stitch 😏
This was my first introduction to the idea of craftivism! I love it. This was a fun journey through the history of knitting, with a little crochet thrown in at the end. There were bits that were also memoir of the author that really enriched the whole book. My favorite part was the part toward the end about the knitting and crocheting brain.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer. I needed more yarn craft love! Absolutely worth the read. #knitting #crochet #crochetersoflitsy #knittersoflitsy #craftersoflitsy #yarnarts 1w
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
GingerAntics
post image

This book has caused me to take out my knitting needles after 3 years… it is not going well. I‘m not exactly back at square one, but oh boy do I have issues with my stitches being WAY too tight again. I also ended up picking up a stitch somewhere at one point, then later dropping two, so it‘s been a wild ride today. Maybe I shall forever be a crocheter. 🤷🏼‍♀️
#knitting #knittersoflitsy #craftersoflitsy #whatishappeninghere

AnnCrystal 😜😂🤪 Knitting drives me looney...I vote for crochet 😉👌🏼🧶🧵💝. 1w
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal I‘m definitely better at crochet. I‘ve also heard that you can crochet faster than you can knit. Dunno if that‘s actually true or not… for some reason, I feel like I‘ve failed at knitting somehow. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I‘m a bleeding perfectionist. 1w
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal I also tend to drop and pick up stitched while crocheting, too. I‘m not sure what my problem is, but my stitches never look as clean and obvious as pictures and videos online. 1w
See All 12 Comments
AnnCrystal Crocheting feels faster, and my work are not perfect with, but I 'm cool with that. For me, enjoying the craft is most important, and perfection is completely accidental 😂😉👌🏼💝💝💝. 1w
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal totally fair. I found something online that might help with my tension issues and help me relax my hands a bit. I‘m also very excited to try some knee yarn that doesn‘t unravel as you use it, so I can practice with it. 1w
AnnCrystal That's neat, hadn't tried that yarn. I do need to work on loosening my tension too.

I picked up a packet of Clover Weaving Sticks some time ago, but they seem intimidating. Have you tried these?
7d
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal weaving sticks? I‘m intrigued 6d
AnnCrystal @GingerAntics there are thick (jumbo) and thin (fine) options. If you try them, let me know. I haven't made a real effort to learn how to use these 👀☺️👍🏼💝. They say it's like having a loom in your pocket. 6d
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal I can‘t said what I was expecting, but I know it wasn‘t this. https://youtube.com/shorts/niUM0g0y-_Q?si=Fjh7VbiaPjs6tvsY 5d
AnnCrystal 👏🏼🤩 @GingerAntics Thank You for sharing, that is an excellent video you found. I need to give this a try, but the simplicity of crocheting has me spoiled 😂👍🏼🧶🧵🧶💝. (edited) 5d
GingerAntics @AnnCrystal oh yeah. There is something about the simplicity of it that makes it relaxing. 4d
AnnCrystal @GingerAntics truth 👏🏼😉👍🏼💝💝💝. 4d
20 likes12 comments
blurb
Sace
post image

@GingerAntics made me do it 😂.

GingerAntics I am so not sorry for this! 1w
Clare-Dragonfly Hmm, intriguing! 1w
Sace @GingerAntics I‘m so happy you shared it! 1w
See All 6 Comments
Sace @Clare-Dragonfly I‘ll read pretty much anything if it‘s about knitting. 1w
GingerAntics @Sace I can‘t wait to hear what you think. I feel like it ended so quickly. I NEED MORE!!! 1w
Sace @GingerAntics it‘s next up on my audio TBR. 🙂 7d
37 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
GingerAntics
post image

And now, a choice which can only be described as the knitting.cult.lady made me do it… #LorettaNapoleoni #ThePowerOfKnitting #audiobook

Sace And my audible credit just landed today. It‘s fate! 1w
GingerAntics @Sace the universe wants you to read this book! 1w
24 likes2 comments
review
Lindy
post image
Pickpick

The history, social and emotional benefits of knitting are stitched into a memoir that also documents the author‘s struggle to rebuild her life after her former husband gambolled away their savings. I listened to the #audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Wiley, so I didn‘t see the selection of knitting patterns included. They are for simple projects like hats (pussy, Rastafarian & Phrygian) that connect to social movements.

39 likes4 stack adds
quote
Lindy
post image

Courage. What the bad knitter lacks is the courage to admit she has made a mistake and has to start from the beginning.

(Photo: prior incarnation of this cardigan is the one with fair isle colourwork.)

Suet624 Lovely. 5y
Lindy @Suet624 thanks 😊 5y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments