Ravelry Knitters discussion

Happy August Knitters! Here's where we'll discuss All Wound Up, the Yarn Harlot's latest. I am on the road and won't get my hands on it for a few more days, but if any of you have started it, what's did you think?

just discovered this group and am so excited! I read this a while ago but will re-read so I can participate. I got to hear yarnharlot last month when she came through the Bay area, she is so funny and real. ~Jen

Hi, I'm behind on my goodread messages. I'd like to participate, but haven't read it yet. Do we need to have the book finished or do we read together. Thanks, Libby

Haven't got very far in the book, but I have to agree with the author. I crochet, knit and quilt when waiting for people at appointments. I constantly have people tell me that they just don't have the time, yet when I ask them what they do in the evening, they tell me that they watch TV. Ok.. clearly, it's mindset issue. These folks aren't even reading anything. That would drive me nuts!

On the plus side, I have taught 2 women to crochet and 1 to knit - total strangers - while waiting for someone at a medical appointment. One didn't even speak english (she has since completed her first afghan and moved on to more).

Reading this month's book on my Nook.

I've read a few section of this book (not sure they could considered chapters. It has made me rethink my tendency not to knit unless I have lots of time. I'm looking at this in a new perrpective, that that knitting two rows on in down time is at least a small progress, though small. Because the author is in Canada and I am in Oklahoma, the need for woolens if much less. It's currently over one hundred degrees her. Also I will never be as an acomplished knitter as Stephanie..., but I love stockinette stitch. Im a process knitter, as opposed to product. I't kind of a Zen thing for me.

@Libby - I like that "it's kind of a Zen thing" - I agree. I'm waiting on a copy of this book from the library. While I may not always agree with Stephanie (but mostly do), I always enjoy her writing. Can't wait. Well, of course I have to wait...moot point...will find something to do with pointy sticks while waiting.

Kathryn...just don't poke your eye out ;)

Libby wrote: "Kathryn...just don't poke your eye out ;)" Ha ha! I'll be sure not to! I'll wear my glasses. 8-)

The Personal Filter section had me cracking up! Especially the Walmart sock bit! Love a good laugh!

I agree Sara, I just read that last night.

Libby, you don't need to have read the whole book to discuss, just chime in whenever! I've only read 4 chapters, but I just have to say, the "what I wanted to say" when knitters asked her silly questions had me laughing so hard I was crying. Like the one who comes upon her spinning and ask her if she's making 'real yarn'? So funny.....

That said, I thought the essay at the beginning was actually a little too negative. I think sometimes people are saying 'I wish I could knit but I don't have time' in a conversational way. And I think it DOES take time to learn. Only one or two evenings with a book or You tube videos for a knit and purl scarf, but then with every pattern, there's a little SOMETHING new. But I am in total agreement about the tv watching..I cannot watch tv withou knitting or cross stitching. I am actually horrified at what I might do if I didn't have work I could do with my hands. Eat, probably,or chew my fingernails.... So I agree with her, essentially, I just thought her tone was a little more angry than it needed to be in that first one.

And I was equally dumbfounded by the Personal Filter ending. It makes you wonder what some people think a 'hobby' is? Golf?

Zoe wrote: "Libby, you don't need to have read the whole book to discuss, just chime in whenever! I've only read 4 chapters, but I just have to say, the "what I wanted to say" when knitters asked her silly que..."

I haven't started the book yet, but I could think of a few responses to the "are you making real yarn" question. How about, no, this is magic yarn I'm spinning for a Harry Potter scarf. It will knit itself. It's also edible, in case I find myself starving on a deserted island.

Zoe wrote: "And I was equally dumbfounded by the Personal Filter ending. It makes you wonder what some people think a 'hobby' is? Golf?"

Stamp collecting. Again, I haven't read the book yet. Tell me if my choice works in context. :-)

Yes, it works! LOL! What is it about knitting that makes people think its silly, but something like Golf, or stamp collecting (or God help me, buying Precious Moments figurines off EBay) seems better? Oy.....

I'm half way through the book, "The Fat Sweater" so far is my favorite short story...

Funny, I just downloaded this a couple of weeks ago on my Nook.
Yeah! Now a reason to read it now! I read the 1st story on my lunch break.
I laugh out loud at her writing. She thinks the same way I do. We all have very similar when it comes down to knitting I suppose.

I'm picking this book up at the library tomorrow, yay!

Never read Stephanie before, but found her to be quite funny. It was good to hear that I am not as crazy as my family sometimes thinks I am (I am not as extreme as Stephanie, but... Nor as good a knitter) .
I too like to uselike to use my waitiibg time for something useful - i always have a project and a book in my car just in case (usually both)

I have just read "A Little Demoralizing" where Joe gets stuck in his pick-up. I laughed and laughed and laughed - funniest thing I've read in ages!

i find Stephanie hilarious most all of the time. My kids are similar ages so the parenting anecdotes hit home for me. I always chuckle at her stories. I wanted to know more about her "not knitting" story. I can relate to that too, being in a place so profoundly sad that the usual comfort measures don't help. Stephanie writes of real life and that encourages me.

Just finished this a few nights ago. I've read her other books as well, and I felt her writing really took a big jump in quality in this one. Not that it wasn't good before, but it made me think that it's a little sad that many critics in the publishing world (and readers in the reading world), will just look at is as a knitting book, when actually, some of her stories about parenting and life were really beautifully written and quite profound.

I'm about half way through the book. I think this book is hilarious. I loved Mr. Washie and the Knitting Addiction, although for me it is needlework addiction. It's just been killing me for the last 3 months that I have to take my Nook with me to appointments because I couldn't do needlework due to arthritis issues. I'm assembling an afghan for the next few days (crocheted) and then picking up my socks again! My goal is to have no unfinished knitting by the end of the year. Yes, go ahead and laugh, but I'm inspired now.

Zoe wrote: "I've read her other books as well, and I felt her writing really took a big jump in quality in this one."

I agree - I think this is her best book yet. Sometimes laugh out loud funny and at other times poignant and heartfelt. I hope it isn't too long until her next book.

Me too Rachel. Sometimes I read her blog, but if it's long and off topic, I sometimes get resentful that she took all that time to not work on her next book. On the other hand, I also loved when she put patterns (yes, even vanilla socks) in her books. Miss that! And her Ravelry patterns are terrific too. Someday I want to make her mosaic mittens.

my fav. is one of the last stories when she's trying to leave for the knitting night..."Darling, It's Tuesday"

I made one of my children read that chapter

I think stephanie's books would make excellent audio books for knitters...anyone knows if there are any?

A. : I don't think there are audio versions of these on Audible, but you might try Knitting Out Loud - it's a website where you can purchase audio books of knitting - including a few pattern books. I have no idea how they do it, and it gets shipped to you on CD's, not an instant download, but you might want to check it out.

Stephanie Pearl McPhee Casts Off and At Knits End are both available on Audible in the UK, both read by Stephanie. It's good to hear her reading her own books but they're very short.