Knitalong

Knitalong - celebrating the tradition of knitting together by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown

Published by Open Road Integrated Media

Published 13th September 2011

Hardback Edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

The immensely popular knitalong--an organized event where people knit together for a common goal--has only grown with the explosion of the Internet. Yesterday's wartime Red Cross sock drives have evolved into today's meet-ups at locales as diverse as cafes, state fairs, and major league ballparks, as well as international online gatherings; in fact, at any given time tens of thousands of people worldwide are involved in knitalongs, organized around a particular yarn, a favorite social cause, an intriguing project, a special event, or myriad other themes.

Authors Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown present an inspiring look at centuries of people knitting together, and why knitters find the interaction so meaningful and worthwhile. Along the way, they offer 20 projects especially suited for different types of knitalongs. The Barn Raising Quilt and the Traveling Scarf, for instance, call on individual knitters to collaborate on a single project; while the Pinwheel Blanket and the Meathead Hat encourage a community of knitters to improvise on the same pattern to come up with a variety of results. Also included is essential information about finding, joining, and starting knitalongs.

Hundreds of knitters participated in the knitalongs hosted by the authors as part of their research, and this book will inspire thousands more to get involved in the knitalong movement. The only book that celebrates this tradition of community and purpose, "Knitalong" is sure to have a powerful impact.

 

 

 

I already have Larissa Brown's other book My Grandmothers' Knitting so when the opportunity came up to review this one, I was immediately interested.  Husband and wife team Larissa and Martin use this book to investigate the history of the Knitalong or KAL. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Whilst the focus is primarily on the United States of America, there is enough in this book to hold the attention of those of us outside of the States.  The book is divided into a number of chapters including where to hold knitalongs, for example in a cafe, the history of the knitalong from it's earliest days as a cottage industry and to using the internet as a voice for the knitalong. 

 

 

Entomology mittens

 

 

 

 

There are also 20 patterns included in the book, ranging from a vintage style baby's bonnet to socks, sweaters and a recycled sweater pincushion.  So it begs the question, who fancies holding the next KAL?!

 

I am in love with this blanket!

 

 

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