Squee
Genre: Crafting, Nonfiction
In case you were unaware, 2020 has sucked, and more than anything (with the possible exception of therapy), knitting has really gotten me through. I’ve knitted more this year than ever before, in part because I have more time on my hands and in part because I need the meditative comfort knitting brings me.
Seasonal Slow Knitting is a book that aligns with that need for comfort through crafting perfectly. I love this book. It’s got a cottagecore vibe that makes me want to read it while tucked under a blanket and listening to Evermore on repeat and cuddling my cat. This book is so fucking cozy, you guys.
First of all, slow knitting is a mindful approach to knitting where the end product is not the focus.
The author explains,
“I loved my craft, but I felt overwhelmed by knitting’s new wave, an onslaught of what was a must-knit, which yarns were must-have, what the color or the notion of the moment was. I was longing for a sense of place within a craft that had been mine since I was a child but was feeling increasingly more alien as I got older.”
As someone who frequents knitting Instagram I totally get this need to cast on the newest, best thing, to consume and not appreciate your craft. The need to buy the newest prettiest yarn is overwhelming sometimes, or to join the coolest MKAL, or to make all the things for Christmas.
I am totally capable of turning my beloved hobby into something that creates anxiety (hello, Goodreads challenge), and I’ve been working to unravel (ha) that impulse.
She continues,
“The idea that you have to buy more yarn, buy more patterns, and churn out things is incongruent with what knitting is: a peaceful moment to yourself, time away from the busyness of the world we live in, a celebration of material and patience. To me, this craft is authentic and simplicity at their finest.”
The idea behind slow knitting is that you don’t need to be a knitted-gift factory or focus on fads and trends, but rather you can choose to enjoy your craft as a moment of peace. She suggests reflecting on the textures and colors of the yarn you work with, to focus on the sensations associated with making, not getting to the finish line. Essentially, practice mindfulness while knitting.
This book is divided into four seasons and contains essays and patterns for each. Some of the essays include how to wash handknits, what garden plants can be used to dye yarn, and how to pair tea with your knitting. One of my favorite essays is “The Sacredness of Tea and Knitting.” She talks about reviving old yarns, mending old knits and the best techniques for sewing on buttons.
Every essay in this book felt like hot cup of chamomile and lavender tea. I’m not sure why an essay about button-sewing is so incredibly peaceful and comforting, but it is. I initially bought this book for the patterns, but wound up reading it cover to cover several times. I actually keep it next to me on the sofa for when I need a quiet moment.
The patterns are lovely, though, and also arranged seasonally. There’s one pattern for a lace cowl for spring called Seeds and Stems Cowl that I am in love with. I also have the perfect yarn for it from Destination Yarns in a beautiful deep green called English Yew.
There are a total of ten patterns that include two sweaters. There’s also a recipe for homemade body oil and an essay on candle-making.
I’m not a huge sweater knitter, but I will definitely be making the cowl, hat, socks and fingerless gloves in this book. There’s also two really beautiful baby blankets that would double as a great throw blanket for winter.
The photography is beautiful as well, and reading this book made me feel like a garden-witch living in a forest, mending my hand-knit socks and making candles in old glass jars. It felt like I was creating a place to escape to in my mind, and that place was very quiet and peaceful–essentially the opposite of knitting social media.
For me, Seasonal Slow Knitting was the mental departure I needed. It’s a blend of mindfully crafting while vibing with nature, and it’s the most readable knitting book I own. If you need to mentally run off to your own woodland cottage stocked with yarn, tea and plant-dyes, I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
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Thanks!
That sounds absolutely wonderful! I’ve been crocheting like crasy this year, too. And for precisely the reasons you mentioned I’ve stopped working on sweaters, focusing on shawls and blankets which I find easier and more relaxing. Since I’m not a knitter, I’ll probably skip the book. Thank you for the Reviews!
This sounds like a great book. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost my knitting mojo sometime late 2019. Around Christmas as I was in one of the worst depressions I’ve ever had, and just had no interest. Finally came out of it, just in time for the pandemic to hit and for my city (at the time) to shut down. I did a set of small shawl examples to learn different shapes, and I started a cowl I ripped out 4 times. The only thing I was actually working on was a 2-tone shawl. And Those Motherfuckers* packed the bag I had on the chair I was using that day. Which also included a pack of baby carrots. Haven’t seen that bag since, so I have no idea if Those Motherfuckers* threw the bag out or packed it. In any case, I’ve tried to knit something, but haven’t really gone too far on any one project. But at least I’m looking at ravelry these days, And I’ve ordered some of the Dolores outfits from Webs. I’m hoping my Knitting Mojo comes back in 2021, because I really miss it.
*Those Motherfuckers is how I refer to the truly shitty packers I paid a LOT of money for and did a stunningly poor job. Not a single box was filled. Not even with bubble wrap or newspaper. Boxes of dishes collapsed under boxes of books. Gouges in the sides of antique furniture. Took my dining room table apart, but didn’t keep the screws to put it back together. So…Those Motherfuckers it is.
Elyse, I believe you would enjoy the Crimson Stitchery podcast (or videocast, has it been decided that podcast is for audio only?) on YouTube. Anushka has a similar vibe of knitting from stash (and patterns) she already owns, mending clothes, foraging for herbs/greenery/whatsis and then concocting stuff from her finds. Oh, and she crochets too.
The less said about my 2020 knitting, the better… though I’ve been glad to have it. I’m not much good for anything other than stockinette or garter, and weaving in ends? Who does that and officially finishes projects? Oy.
Coronabrainfog is real, yo.
Omg Lynda, I’m directing rage toward Those MFs on your behalf.
I appreciate that the models in this book include curvy WOC instead of the usual parade of slim, ethereal white girls you see in too many knitting books.
I’m waiting for my library to finish processing this book so I can devour it. (I’m #1 on the hold list!) I really enjoy knitting books that aren’t all patterns, so this looks lovely.
I actually looked up the first cover, getting excited about a pairing of a violin player and a butcher…only to discover it’s a Mafia romance.
Not my cup of tea. Nevermind.
OOPS I had multiple tabs open, that comment was supposed to go on the cover snark post.
I, too, have been knitting a lot this year, but I’m not so ambitious so I’ve been making a lot of scarves. Now I need some new outerwear to go with them! I used to knit sweaters years ago so maybe this book will motivate me. Thanks.
Thank you for your lovely review! I’m so glad you liked the book 🙂