No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting

About fiber and the role it has played in the history of this country. Well researched and written.

I got this for ideas on what to knit for the 400th commemoration of the Pilgrim's Landing at Plymouth. This is social history seen from your knitting needles. The narrative opens on the decks of the Mayflower and the knitting done there. Little of knitting is actually recorded as it was a common daily activity. About as common as pouring beer or kneading bread. You find it in asides. Thus you might find a mention in Ben Franklin's Autobiography!"To obviate idleness, the unforgivable sin, and to assure the young lookouts performed constructively while keeping their eyes peeled for errant sheep,the Township of Andover, Massachusetts, adjudged knitting a productive substitute for 'larking about' " and so decreed in 1642. Knitting was part of the three Rs, so if you could read you could knit! Knitting also took place on sailing ships!There are many Illustrations and sources and thus knitting from any period may be attempted.A perfect gift for the knitter of your life!!

I originally borrowed the above book from my knitting teacher and thought to myself I would love to have this in my collection of craft books etc.That was about five years ago before I even dreamed about a pc computer no less used Amazon[.com] books. So I have been living my fantasy buying all my dream books.About the book. Many references to people, places and things.I was fascinated by a knitted baby blanked called a Remsen Quilt originated with the World Church Services. To make a long story short I tracked down the woman they wrote about in a nursing home in Conn. and she wrote me a lovely letter. She had no idea where the name came from but they knitted themselves into oblivion for charity.So if after all that time I am still thinking about that book It must be a good one. Happy to say I ordered it used today.Mary Young, New Hampshire

American knitters now have a slice of history, but by no means comprehensively done. I love this book! I sold my hardcover years ago and bought another. I was obviously born in the wrong century! Knitting, crochet, tatting, sewing were all ubiquitous and necessary just one hundred years ago, and it was just a given that your work bag was always with you. I'm an obsessive knitter and I loved being immersed in the history of knitting in the 19th and 20th centuries. I wished there were more anecdotal accounts of early household knitting, but I did really enjoy the window into wartime pushes for hand knit socks and "Balaclavas" for bitter cold, even in the age of machine knits.

A delightful read -- if you are a knitter, you will feel an instant connection to our foremothers in wool; if you are not, you may come to realize just what a huge contribution people with needles (and thread and cloth, for that matter!) have made to who we are and continue to be as a people.

So well written you feel the author is talking to you. Tons of information in an easy to read narrative. Excellent combination of scholarly research and accessible writing which invites you to read on!

I have read this book once before. It is a great time line of knitting how it has evolved over the years and women and men's role in it. It is factual and enlightening. I found it hard to put down. I am just now starting to read it for the second time. My first book was the paperback which is now on it's way to my sister in Florida. It is a great read.

This is a very detailed explanation of the role of knitting from colonial days forward. At one time, knitting was as essential to a girl's education as reading and writing.

A review of of knitting throughout American (USA) history. For a knitter, it is interesting but possibly less so for the non-knitting public.

Much larger than I'd imagined and after reading thrusts levee and flicking through the wealth of illustrations, this looks like an amazingly comprehensive book and I'm really looking forward to reading it. A MUST read for anyone who loves knitting!

This is a beautifully written book about the history of--knitting? Yes! Who'd have thought it could be so interesting? Yet, it is. I haven't quite finished reading it, but each time I spend a little time doing so, I come away feeling so relaxed and joyful. It's a real historical trip down memory lane (and actually way further back than my memory goes). Anne L. Macdonald deserves recognition for her work in compiling this treasury of informative articles, quotations, and historical tidbits on this most popular and loved hobby. Brava!