Vickie Howell has written more than a dozen books on knitting and crochet, but her latest, The Knit Vibe, is unlike any of her previous titles and indeed probably unlike any knitting book you’ve ever seen.
The book’s subtitle–A Knitter’s Guide to Creativity, Community, and Well-Being for Mind, Body & Soul–lets you in on a little bit of how this book is different.
In addition to knitting and crochet patterns, there are profiles of knitwear designers, others in the industry and people who have used their yarn skills to help raise awareness of issues and to change people’s view of the world and what knitwear can do.
There’s also information on keeping yourself healthy as a knitter or crocheter, including yoga poses to try, tips on supplements for healthy bones and joints and more.
On the spirit side of the spectrum there is discussion of knitting as it relates to Judaism, Catholicism and Native American spirituality, as well as a pagan yarn craft ritual, knitter’s astrology and knitter numerology.
Knit and crochet projects by Howell and others interviewed in the book round out the offerings. Many of them are in Howell’s typical style of pretty easy projects with fun details, though some of the projects by contributors are more detailed, delving into brioche, colorwork, cables and more. Check out the projects on Ravelry for more info.
It’s definitely not like anything you’ve seen in a knitting book before, but if you’re a knitter who likes to connect your craft to your community, your sense of spirituality and the world around you, it’s worth checking out.
About the book: 208 pages, 23 patterns, hardcover. Published October 2019 by Abrams Books. Suggested retail price $29.99
I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.