Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter (original 2005; edition 2005)

I crochet. I already have a yarn stash which is defying the laws of physics, and making my housemates a little nervous. I've taught my best friend to crochet, and one of my housemates is in the process of learning. (We're incredibly proud of a very, very long row of chain stitches, which are going to become -- eventually -- a scarf for my teddy bear.)

My girlfriend knits. I own a full length replica of the scarf Tom Baker wore as the Eighth Doctor, on Doctor Who, knitted for me by her. I have a knitted Clanger, an owl with a graduation hat, an elephant, sheep, a host of little aliens...

It's fair to say that I think I understand Stephanie Pearl-McPhee a little bit. "IT" happened to me when crocheting Christmas presents this year. I've continued crocheting a gift at the dinner table at a friend's birthday, with my housemate providing a screen in the form of a menu, to get it finished in time. I woke up at five AM on Christmas Day to frantically complete my sister's present, did "just one extra", and then refused to let people go downstairs and open presents until I was done. Possibly the most restful Christmas morning my parents have ever had, but my little sister (for all her eighteen years) was wild with impatience.

Suffice it to say that I found myself in this -- aside from the pointed comments about crochet, and I'm just going to take the higher ground here and avoid responding, as a crocheter should -- and laughed quite a lot. It's sort of fluffy (hah), but fun for those Thursday mornings when you don't have class... ( )

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee has a wicked sense of humor about knitting, yet it's coupled with really good advice about how to make knitting fun, how to convince the world that it's not just grandmas who knit, and that there are zillions of us around the world who don't let anyone see our supply of yarn, i.e., our stashes.

Funny book, yet serious, too. ( )

Very much enjoyed this collection of thoughts from a very humorous and insightful knitter. I appreciated how the author weaved in her life with her love of knitting. While I think anyone would enjoy this book if you're a knitter it really hits home. ( )

A very fun book to read. A collection of essays or blog posts. Most made me laugh. A couple made me cry.

I am a new knitter and learning to appreciate some of the things she talks about. Can't wait to read more. ( )

I have to say that Pear-McPhee thinks rather a lot of herself, and, truth to tell, overestimates her own capacity to interest others with her stories of knitting. One book is interesting; two books are tedious. ( )