"A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party,
a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors."
– Charles Baudelaire
Hello there fellow knitter!
This is The Yarnist. The daily newsletter that makes you love knitting the same way Bored Panda loves School Photo Fails.
Disclaimer: This newsletter may contain sponsored ads and affiliate links.
When you buy using them, you support our work here at The Yarnist, as we get a small commission.
Knitspiration
📖 5 Knitting Memoirs You Didn’t Know You Needed
Knitting isn’t just about colorwork and cables.
It’s also about the stories woven through every stitch.
The joy of crafting together with friends.
The pain of losing a loved one.
The ridiculous lengths we’ll go to just to finish a sweater.
That’s why books about knitting hit different.
They share the deeper reasons we do what we do.
And remind us there are others crazy enough to take a suitcase full of yarn.
The five we’ve picked aren’t pattern books.
They’re epic sweater adventures…
personal reflections on slowing down…
and even survival stories.
So settle in with your needles close by.
These five books prove knitting is never just knitting.
They remind us that every story, like every stitch, connects us to memory.
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.
In this follow up to Knitting Yarns, two dozen writers write about the transformative and healing powers of knitting. These personal stories by award-winning writers celebrate the moments of loss and love intertwined in the rhythm, ritual, and pleasure of knitting.
Like the “slow food” movement, Slow Knitting encourages knitters to step back, pare down, and celebrate the craftsmanship of their work. In five chapters centered around the tenets of slow knitting—sourcing carefully, making thoughtfully, thinking environmentally, experimenting fearlessly, and exploring openly—Hannah Thiessen challenges knitters of all skill levels to view their practice in a new way.
For Adrienne Martini, and countless others, knitting is the linchpin of sanity. As a working mother of two, Martini wanted a challenge that would make her feel in charge. So she decided to make the Holy Grail of sweaters—her own Mary Tudor, whose mind-numbingly gorgeous pattern is so complicated to knit that its mere mention can hush a roomful of experienced knitters. A wooly Julie and Julia, this epic yarn celebrates the profound joys of creating—and aspiring to—remarkable achievements.
Whether she’s playing an “age-defying” book editor on television or dazzling audiences on the Broadway stage, Sutton Foster manages to make it all look easy. How? Crafting. From the moment she picked up a cross stitch needle to escape the bullying chorus girls in her early performing days, she was hooked. Cross stitching led to crocheting, crocheting led to collages, which led to drawing, and so much more. Channeling her emotions into her creations centered Sutton as she navigated the significant moments in her life and gave her tangible reminders of her experiences.
Conclusion
I LOVE seeing how others weave yarn into their lives.
But what do you think?
Have you read any of these five books?
Did one stand out to you, or is there another favorite we missed?
Hit reply and tell us your story!
Daily Stitch
Fishtail Lace Stitch
You don't have to love to fish to like this little lace stitch.
This pattern uses a combination of eyelets and decreases to create columns of stacked fishtails.
It's no mermaid blanket, but it's still useful in all kinds of projects.
Deal of the Day
Vekkia Rechargeable LED Knitting Light (37% Off)
Late-night knitting without waking the whole house? Yes, please.
The Vekkia LED Neck Light rests soft around your shoulders, aiming flicker-free beams right at your stitches. No more eye strain, no more dropped yarn overs, and no more side-eye from your partner.
Lightweight, comfy, and rechargeable (up to 40 hours!), it’s the perfect sidekick for marathon rows, secret projects, or just one more repeat.
Your eyes—and your knitting—will thank you.
Knits & Giggles
Thanks for reading!
Before you go...below you'll find a few ways we can work together, and other bits & bobs:
Here's some ways to take our relationship to the next level:
- ☕️ Buy us a coffee (Now accepting PayPal!)
Each of our emails is the culmination of many hours of research and lots of cups of coffee. If you want a simple way to show your appreciation you can buy us a coffee here.
- 🎓 Take a Yarnist Academy class
There are more than 50 classes to explore with topics like 2-Color Brioche, Mosaic colorwork, Entrelac. New classes are added every month! Explore our classes
Your Email Preferences:
You're receiving this email because you signed up for the Yarnist, a daily digital newsletter for Fearless Knitters.
If you don't remember doing that, you might have had a little too much wine that night...or it could be Gremlins. Can't stand those guys. Always causing mischief.
Your email address is Reader and your first name is Reader. To update your info click here.
Daily emails too much? Get our Sunday Weekly Update Only.
Still want out? No problem! Unsubscribe here.
Look at you reading all the way to the end!
Here's a bonus video with this incredible arial footage of sheep being herded. 🤯
Made with 💙🖤🤍 in Tallinn, Estonia
Narva Mnt 15, Tallinn, 10120