In an era of global warming, war, escalating expenses, declining income, and drugs and violence in schools, many mothers feel they have little control over their families or their worlds. Nora Murphy eloquently demonstrates that many women do control one tiny thing: their next stitch. While tracing the frustrations and joys of knitting a sweater for her son through the course of one cold, dark Minnesota winter, Murphy eloquently brings to life the traditions and cultures of women from many backgrounds, including Hmong, American Indian, Mexican, African, and Irish. Murphy’s personal stories — about her struggles to understand esoteric knitting patterns, her help from the shaman of the knit shop, and her challenges sticking with an often vexing project — will appeal to knitters as well as everyone else who has labored to create something from scratch.

Here is the history of knitting around the globe, examining styles, techniques, and particular styles countries and regions—including England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Japan, Australia, Canada, United States, Peru, Bolivia, and more. Highlighted are 20 profiles of historically significant knitters who are using particular techniques today—plus 20 patterns that exemplify knitting traditions from around the world.

Sustained by the metaphor of knitting, the memoir Love is the Thread traces the way one spiritual friendship can change all our relationships, with strangers and friends, from friends to family, and beyond. Love is the Thread centers on the friendship between two women, one snared in a life-long struggle with bipolar disorder, the other reweaving her life after an abusive relationship. Spirituality, encounters with nature, and vacations on the Delaware shore form the threads of a friendship as varied and closely knit as the stitches in a handmade sweater. From the discovery of hidden colors in fresh snow to the satisfaction of teaching a young nephew to knit, Love is the Thread savors life's small glories, ultimate challenges, and all the moments of humor and tenderness in between.

This heartwarming winter story is perfect for those who love to knit and parents looking to teach their children about the importance of doing good for others! Mrs. Goldman always knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood, and Sophia, who thinks knitting is too hard, helps by making the pom-poms. But now winter is here, and Mrs. Goldman herself doesn't have a hat-she's too busy making hats for everyone else! It's up to Sophia to buckle down and knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman. But try as Sophia might, the hat turns out lumpy, the stitches aren't even, and there are holes where there shouldn't be holes. Sophia is devastated until she gets an idea that will make Mrs. Goldman's hat the most wonderful of all. Readers both young and old will relate to Sophia's frustrations, as well as her delight in making something special for someone she loves. A knitting pattern is included in the back of the book. "[A] celebration of winter mitzvahs, or kind deeds. Karas's adorable, radiant art adds to the heartwarming mood."--The New York Times

"Annetarsia Knits" is a reference book for learning to knit intarsia flat or in the round, in stockinette or garter stitch. The book includes workshops, a motif library, and 28 patterns for using the new techniques. Content is designed for knitters of all skill levels.

Sophie is no ordinary house spider. She's an artist and takes great pride in her work. Every web she spins is more wonderous than the one before. But the guests at Beekman's Boardinghouse don't like spiders. Everywhere Sophie goes guests scream and shoo her away. No one there wants anything to do with Sophie and her magnificent creations - no one except the young woman up on the third floor who is busy 'weaving' something herself; and when she runs out of yarn, Sophie knows that the time has finally come to create the masterpiece of a lifetime.