I decided to give away two copies: Debbie and Diana are the winners!
The book People Knitting: A Century of Photographs by Barbara Levine is exactly what the title says it is. The book contains 100 photographs, dating from the 1860s to the 1960s, most of which came from the author’s collection (though I have to say, collecting photos of people knitting is a strange hobby for someone who doesn’t knit).
It includes some famous people such as Sojourner Truth, Eleanor Roosevelt and Audrey Hepburn, and lots of people whose names have been lost to history. There are men, women and children knitting in all sorts of situations, on couches and docks, at the seashore or in the yard. There are a surprising number of knitters in swimwear (and one naked knitter, too).
Quotes about knitting are interspersed through the book, but it is mostly just pictures. Information that’s known about the pictures is included at the back of the book.
It’s interesting to look at the pictures and note the different ways people held the yarn and needles, what they were working on and how they felt being photographed with their knitting. It’s a really nice tribute to knitters everywhere and would be a great gift for a knitter in your life.
This week I’m giving away a copy; if you’d like a chance to win it, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Oct. 30. Just for fun this week I’d love to know who taught you to knit. (Mom and grandma, over here.)
Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!
Save
I learned to knit when my mother signed me up at a local knitting/yarn store for lessons. I had time on my hands and was needing a creative outlet because I was recuperating from a health issue. This was 14 yrs ago.
I love collecting vintage photos and especially of people knitting! My book speaks to the universality of knitting and even if you don’t knit (like me) chances are you grew up around someone who did or your friends do now! Thanks for posting about it!
I love collecting vintage photos and especially of people knitting! My book speaks to the universality of knitting and even if you don’t knit (like me) chances are you grew up around someone who did or your friends do now! Thanks for posting about it!
My Mother taught me how to knit. Still love to sit with her on evening to work on projects.
I taught myself to knit from a book entitled “McCall’s Step-by-Step Knitting for Beginners”.
My mother taught me to knit when I was a kid, but I forgot about it over the years. Then, about fourteen years ago, I decided to pick it up again and kind of re-taught myself – with Mom’s guidance, of course!
I taught myself to knit back in the 60’s from an old knitting book. Would really like to win this book!
I taught myself to knit from a book (Leisure Arts’ “I Can’t Believe I’m Knitting) and once I learned, I re-taught my mom to knit again.
My granddaughter taught me how to knit–just two weeks ago! She attends a Waldorf school where first graders are taught how to knit. She’s 6-yrs-old and I’m 54. Never too old to learn!
My mother taught me to knit when I was a kid…so I feel like I’ve always known how. She even encouraged me to knit a sweater for my high school age cousin one Christmas. Wonder if he ever wore that sweater?!
from technicolor VT,
the Vermonster
What a wonderful book! My father taught me to knit, I just didn’t get my Mother’s european way of knitting!
I actually was so interested in knitting, I taught myself how to knit! Books and youtube have served me well! 🙂
My mother taught me to knit when I was about 8ish though I tend to crochet more now.
A dear friend taught me and my daughter.
What a beautiful book! I taught myself to knit while I was in college.
My godmother taught me how to knit (with much patience, might I add).
Interesting book! I leaned to knit from a class I took at our local library. I tried teaching myself, but couldn’t get it, but the class was all I needed to get started. I’ve been hooked since then!
My older sister taught me how to crochet about 30 years ago and I had always wanted to learn how to knit, so I took a class at my LYS about 10 years ago. I love being able to do both crochet and knit!
looks like a good book
I was taught to knit at school in the fifties – including double pointed sock knitting! Thank you for the giveaway chance.
What a cool book. I collect old photographs also,& have a few of people knitting & crocheting.
A friend taught me how to purl when I was in college, & I just took off from there!
HI, My favorite Aunt Ruth taught me to knit /AND very carefully let me use her sewing machine………I was 9yrs. old, and I have been knitting socks, sweaters, toys for over 71 years….I am presently knitting a:” RUBY TEDDY BEAR” for my 7 month old Great Granddaughter for Christmas……thanks for your wonderful ideas. ,Trudy
I’m a self taught knitter and crocheter. This sounds like a great book! I think I’ll put it on my Christmas list if I don’t win.
My late mother in law taught me how to knit so I could make my daughter homemade mitts and socks. I’ve been an avid knitter ever since!
My mother and I learned together from a friend when I was a teen. I’ve been refreshing my skills and learning new techniques such as cables watching videos.
I taught my self to knit from YouTube about 7 years ago. I still turn to YouTube to learn new stitches and techniques. This book looks like a great gift for any knitter.
I love knitting and crocheting. But knitting is really my passion. The rhythmic motion, so soothing and relaxing. There’s really nothing quite so satisfying..making something beautiful for someone special.
I learned to knit from an aunt and then tought myself from books
My Mother taught me to knit when I was 10, She was always knitting.
A friend I worked with taught me to knit about fifty years ago
Mom taught me to knit when I was 11 – and that was 50 years ago! I then taught my nephew and niece to knit. My niece even makes her own designs now.
I would love to win this book! I wanted to learn to knit since I was pregnant with my first child, 39 years ago now. I finally learned when my friend’s mother’s friend (ya got that?) from Germany taught me. I had only one lesson and had to figure out the rest for myself. So glad I finally learned!
My mother and grandmother when I was a child!
My mother taught me to knit, and my Gran taught me several ways of casting/binding on and off. This was during WW2 in the UK and yarn was difficult to obtain I was therefore constantly urged not to waste resources. I had to use unravelled yarn with its bumps and waves in the early stages. I was 6 years old and can remember this clearly. Eventually I progressed to yarn from the ball and made a cardigan …. fed up with the slow progress of the sleeves I adjusted the pattern to a short sleeve version and never wore the garment because I always felt chilly in short sleeves. I am now 80 and knit socks and baby stuff for the family (I have never made another cardigan!).
b
My grandmother taught me to knit
Both my mother and aunt taught me to knit. Now that I am older I knit everyday. I am so grateful that they took the time to reach me!
I first taught myself to knit 4 years ago as a creative outlet and then fell madly in love with the colors and look of the yarn. You should see my stash! I then took a few knitting lessons at my LYS and now I’m addicted.
I have a good friend teach me how to knit. Spending time with her, driving to a yarn shop to touch, smell and dream about what we’d knit with that incredible yarn we found were fun times. Now we live in different states and have our memories. I’d love to share this book with her.
My grandmother passed away when I was 7. Knitting is one of the few memories I have of her. She taught me the basics and since then I have blossomed into a master knitter. Recently I suffered a head injury that has robbed me of many memories, thankfully the ones of my grandmother teaching me to knit on her couch in her home in Pittsburgh during our special visits are still intact. She would always help me and be paitent with me no matter how sick she was and now knitting is a skill I treasure and have been honing for well over 20 years, and will continue to do so throughout my lifetime.
My grandmother ??
I taught myself to knit. This looks like a very nice book!
My mum taught me to knit doll’s clothes when I was about five, and I have knitted ever since!
One of our neighbors, Marvel, taught me to knit when I was about 7 or 8. I’ve enjoyed knitting ever since!
I love reading essays and stories about knitting and knitters. I learned to knit 42 years ago but have been a Knitter for the last 10 years.
What a neat book! I am a painter but needed a less messy creative outlet after my daughter was born, so I taught myself from books my grandma sent me.
As I remember it must have been my Mom
My grandma! She was a fabulous knitter and made the most beautiful sweater for me and my cousins. I miss her so much!
My mom was the one who introduced me to knitting.