Book Review: The Knitter's Life List

I just got a copy of Gwen W. Steege's The Knitter's Life List: To Do, To Know, To Explore, To Make   and I haven't been able to put it down. 

Based on the idea of the "bucket list" (things you want do before you die) or leap list (things you want to do before you leap into the next stage of your life), The Knitter's Life List is a "to-do" for Knitters.

In collaboration with several well-known knitters, designers and yarn makers Gwen has laid out "a list of things to do, patterns to try, techinques to explore, places to go, movies to see and much more -- all related to knitting."      That list takes up over 300 pages and as Gwen says, is not a comprehensive one, but just enough to inspire you and get you started on creating your own list. 

There's a lot of great information in this book, lists of fiber festivals, schools for knitters, and movies and books that feature knitting.  There's brief biographical sketches on a number of designers and yarn makers. Techniques are described in general (not in detail) with info. on where you can learn more.  The appendix itself has enough information to make it worthwhile to purchase this book. 

I loved the fact that there's plenty of ideas for the wool-free knitter in this book too.  When Gwen discusses yarns to try she gives equal billing to wool-free fibers. There's a good section on knitting with silk, and she includes wool-free authors like Amy Singer in her list of people you should meet.  

There's something for everyone in this book whether it starts you thinking about your own Knitter's Life List, gives you ideas of new places to go or presents new things to try or buy.  It's a great overview of the knitting world for new knitters too. And what a great "gift" book for a fellow-knitter.

But I do think the book will have a short shelf-life unless they bring out regularly updated versions. The knitting world is growing and expanding at such a rate that information can be quickly outdated. 

In the meantime, it's inspiring me to start  some lists of my own:

Yarns I want to try

Patterns I want to knit

Places I want to go

Techniques I want to learn...

So. what's on your Knitter's Life List? 

Comments

[Alyssa]

Sounds like a fun book! Are you going to share your lists with us?

One thing on my knitting list is to attend a knitting camp one day :)

[Dorothy]

Looks like a great book!

I would like to knit with yak (which I here is hypoallergenic), knit a true Norwegian sweater (although probably not for my husband!), and I might even want to learn how to steek. Maybe. It's really scary to think about. :)