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The Power of Knitting: Stitching Together Our Lives in a Fractured World
Audible Audiobook – UnabridgedLoretta Napoleoni (Author), Elizabeth Wiley (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 186 ratings
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 10 simple yet iconic projects that reflect the creative, empowering spirit of knitting, with complete instructions.
This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF containing knitting patterns from the book.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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©2020 Loretta Napoleoni (P)2020 Penguin Audio
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5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!Reviewed in Canada on 28 January 2021
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I thoroughly enjoyed The Power of Knitting. Part history lesson, part memoir, part social commentary. I venture to say, if you're a handworker of any kind, you will likely find some resonance in this book.
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trumbles mum
5.0 out of 5 stars More Than I expectedReviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2020
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I am so glad I didn't read other reviews before ordering this with the money a relative gave me for my birthday.
Like others, I have been through traumatic times and without the good fortune that the author has had of a very high standard of living allowing me to fall back on selling a luxury home, rent out another and still be looked after. I may have had it worse - alone with two toddlers in a city where men had been frightened off from offering seats on tube trains to women with a baby in arms and a toddler clutching their clothing on buses lurching for miles. My slightly older liberationist sisters had done me no favours in constantly telling men that chivalry was dead!
However, though I am approaching 70 with a wonderful second husband who is nearly 80 and we are still struggling to pay our mortgage on our tiny home, I am astonished at the bitterness of some reviewers. No matter how high or low your standard of living, you will struggle with the emotional fallout of being deserted and with losing what you took perhaps to much for granted.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but it is one that needs you to look beyond your own issues.
Yes, it is about emotional upheaval and a move towards healing, for sure. But there is so much more in it that surprised me. I loved reading about the wonderful women, some of whom endured dangers and poverty that none of us have to deal with today and others who used what seems mundane to express their love for family and their caring for those beyond home.
There were aspects of history that I had no knowledge of there in too, many of them putting to rights my history lessons from the early 60s when I was taught that ordinary women in the past either sat round the guillotine like Shakespearean crone witches, inciting/causing murder, or stayed home because laying life on the line during war was a male only thing - unless, of course, they were beautiful, in which case they were always noble ladies of high rank!
The overall message of this book to me has been that women are so much stronger than they or the world in general believe and clever enough to use the mundane to achieve all kinds of things. Sentiments I have held for decades, but the author lay them out in better format than I have ever found.
I do think there are some errors in thinking in it. For example, she claims that the patterns exclusively for women only garments, allowing women to express their individuality, were only produced from the 50s onward - which is not true, I inherited patterns from the 20s/30s/40s from my grandmother - Grandpa would have looked ridiculous in the very feminine shaping of twin sets and bed socks with pompoms or roses knitted into the design in some of those patterns.
Oh, and be aware, if you knit the assorted hats, socks and tank tops in the patterns in the book, the recipient may not wish to talk to you again- they are historic items than, in the main, will not translate into desirable clothing for the 21st century. This is not a book of usable patterns with a little history and personal experiences thrown in. The patterns are more of historic interest than of practical use.
12 people found this helpfulReport
A. Leonard
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good readReviewed in the United States on 15 March 2024
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I must admit although the author clearly wrote this during a period if personal hardship its a bit hard to sympathize when she still has house help, a second house, and travels where and when she likes
The history was truly the most enjoyable part, more interesting than the personal details but it was drawing a common thread about knitting as both healing and a source of powerful change both personally and politically
Def do not regret the purchase
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Kindle Customer Susan De Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful BookReviewed in the United States on 31 December 2020
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As a knitter and artist, I was pleased to read about the importance of passing on craft traditions to future generations and the opportunity it provides for the sharing of family history. The book was written in an honest and compassionate way highlighting the struggles of a woman betrayed by her husband, yet learning to thrive despite financial concerns. It will surely be an inspiration to anyone going through a difficult life experience. I highly recommend this book!
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VE
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2021
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You don't have to be a knitter to enjoy this insightful look at the social history of knitting. The writer weaves moving personal anecdote through a fascinating look at economic and political events that have shaped the story of knitting. Lovely illustrations and patterns for knitting enthusiasts.
One person found this helpfulReport
Magicmaker
4.0 out of 5 stars Great delivery —Reviewed in the United States on 23 April 2023
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The book arrived earlier than projected, so that was great. The book was okay — lots of good history and feminist theory about knitting. I found her personal interjections about her own crisis maudlin and not enough about her own empowerment — I sense she hadn’t worked through it all yet. But definitely worth reading, and the vendor was great
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Maxine
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a readReviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2021
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This is a lovely book. Seeing her journey of knitting and her relationship with her grandmother. Knitting has been with her throughout the good and bad times. It’s the one constant that has got her through
2 people found this helpfulReport
Julie A. Cicora
5.0 out of 5 stars How knitting heals.Reviewed in the United States on 11 January 2021
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This book is an authentic story of how the act of knitting has the power to calm and heal. The author takes the craft of knitting even further by telling stories about how knitters have used their craft to battle against social and economic injustice. The writing is excellent, the stories engaging, and as an extra bonus there are some knitting patterns at the end of the book. If you knit, this is a must read.
4 people found this helpfulReport
Benedicta Pécseli
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book on knitting - from history to modern time's conflicts.Well written.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2021
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An intelligent understanding of our time thru yarn and knitting needles.
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C. Zalek
4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise!Reviewed in the United States on 1 September 2022
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I thought this was a good read for a knitter. I don't think it would convince anyone to start knitting if they didn't already do so. I've knit for 72 years, and agreed with most everything the author had to say, how tied to math it is, how it brings a peace or calm to the knitter, etc.
One person found this helpfulReport
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