Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time 
asked by redryder on November 29, 2006 4:47 PM
All across America, people are knitting for peace. In yarn shops and private homes, churches and synagogues, schools and even prisons, they meet on weekday evenings or weekend afternoons to knit afghans for refugees, mittens for the homeless, socks for soldiers, or preemie caps for AIDS babies. The tradition goes back as far as Martha Washington, who spearheaded knitting efforts for the soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and has seen a recent flourishing in what is nowadays called “charity knitting,” “community knitting,” or “knitting for others.” And whether it's for world peace, community peace, or peace of mind, today's various causes have the common goal of knitting the world into a better place one stitch at a time.
Knitting for Peace is an exceptional book that celebrates the long heritage of knitting for others. It tells the stories of 28 contemporary knitting-for-peace endeavors, and features patterns for easy-to-knit charity projects such as hats, socks, blankets, and bears, plus a messenger bag emblazoned with the Knitting for Peace logo. Enlivened by anecdotal sidebars and quotations from both knitters and peacemakers, this inspiring book also includes everything readers need to know to start their own knitting-for-peace groups.
Knitting for Peace is an exceptional book that celebrates the long heritage of knitting for others. It tells the stories of 28 contemporary knitting-for-peace endeavors, and features patterns for easy-to-knit charity projects such as hats, socks, blankets, and bears, plus a messenger bag emblazoned with the Knitting for Peace logo. Enlivened by anecdotal sidebars and quotations from both knitters and peacemakers, this inspiring book also includes everything readers need to know to start their own knitting-for-peace groups.
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Subtitled: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time
For as long as people have been knitting, they have been knitting for other people. Often called "charity knitting," "community knitting" or "knitting for others," knitters have been bonded by a desire to make the world a better place, "through handmade gifts of love and peace."
In Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time, Betty Christiansen has interviewed knitters across America to find out how knitting was helping people around the world. She sets out to find the stories behind the movements and to collect them into this unique volume, sharing how "we can, stitch by stitch, inch the world in a more positive direction."
In each of the first four section--Peace and War; Peace on Earth; Peace at Home; and Peace for Kids--Christiansen delves into the organizations making a difference through knitting. She explores their history, how they are being part of the change they wish to see in the world and how knitters can assist their efforts.
Some are organizations such as Lantern Moon and Peace Fleece, companies making a difference by providing employment, income and self-reliance for producers. Others are aid organizations such as Afghans for Afghans, an organization providing warmth to families in Afghanistan. Scattered throughout are patterns appropriate for knitters to make and donate to the featured organizations.
The final section, "Knit for Peace," provides helpful hints for finding projects not covered by the author, for individuals and for groups. Knitting for Peace has projects sure to appeal to everyone and is the perfect gift for the compassionate knitter on your gift list. Since a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Knitting for Peace will be donated to charity, this is the gift that gives twice.
Armchair Interviews: A wonderful gift for any knitter.
For as long as people have been knitting, they have been knitting for other people. Often called "charity knitting," "community knitting" or "knitting for others," knitters have been bonded by a desire to make the world a better place, "through handmade gifts of love and peace."
In Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time, Betty Christiansen has interviewed knitters across America to find out how knitting was helping people around the world. She sets out to find the stories behind the movements and to collect them into this unique volume, sharing how "we can, stitch by stitch, inch the world in a more positive direction."
In each of the first four section--Peace and War; Peace on Earth; Peace at Home; and Peace for Kids--Christiansen delves into the organizations making a difference through knitting. She explores their history, how they are being part of the change they wish to see in the world and how knitters can assist their efforts.
Some are organizations such as Lantern Moon and Peace Fleece, companies making a difference by providing employment, income and self-reliance for producers. Others are aid organizations such as Afghans for Afghans, an organization providing warmth to families in Afghanistan. Scattered throughout are patterns appropriate for knitters to make and donate to the featured organizations.
The final section, "Knit for Peace," provides helpful hints for finding projects not covered by the author, for individuals and for groups. Knitting for Peace has projects sure to appeal to everyone and is the perfect gift for the compassionate knitter on your gift list. Since a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Knitting for Peace will be donated to charity, this is the gift that gives twice.
Armchair Interviews: A wonderful gift for any knitter.
reviewed by vicky123 on November 29, 2006 6:40 PM
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I've been knitting for a little over a year now, and was just starting to wonder how I can use my new hobby to contribute to the lives of others when this book came out. I've found it to be very informative and inspiring. The different charities profiled are all truly amazing, and the stories that go with them are great, too. The patterns are mostly pretty simple and easy to follow. It's made me want to start a knitting for charity group at my church.
reviewed by bones on November 29, 2006 7:05 PM
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This book shows us how we all can come together to create items that help support others' in need. It reminded me that what we have in common far outweighs what divides us.....and that compassion is really all we have. Great, easy patterns for community knitting.
reviewed by lauren on November 29, 2006 7:21 PM
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I just received this book in the mail and it is beautiful. If you know a knitter or someone who aspires to learn knitting (although this is not a "how-to" book for those who can't knit), or just want to buy a great inspirational book, I can't recommend this book enough!! It is a beautiful, inspiring book. It has quotes, photos and stories of organizations that knit for others---orphans, refugees, preemies, animal shelter pets, and a host of other highly inspiring organizations. I discovered that knitting for peace and for others is a part of our heritage and pure Americana. I commend the author for this beautiful, inspiring, well-written book. I plan on buying several for holiday gifts. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars, I would!
reviewed by vcedwards on November 29, 2006 7:32 PM
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I can't say enough good things about this book. It is full of information and inspiring stories. It also has some great historical anecdotes. In addition, it's gorgeous!!
The book is loaded with great, simple patterns that don't require any special yarn, and can in fact be made very quickly and inexpensively. So that no matter what your skill level or budget you can knit something for someone who will cherish it. It also gives really specific information on how to contact the various organizations it profiles, so there is no aimless searching online. The other great thing is the variety of organizations you can support. There is something for everyone, soilders, children, foriegn aid, and hospitals to name a few.
I have been looking for some basic hat, shawl and blanket patterns and this book has them. So even after I am done "knitting for peace" I can knit for myself and the loved ones in my own life.
I think this book is just great and I highly recommend it.
I am telling every knitter I know about this book.
The book is loaded with great, simple patterns that don't require any special yarn, and can in fact be made very quickly and inexpensively. So that no matter what your skill level or budget you can knit something for someone who will cherish it. It also gives really specific information on how to contact the various organizations it profiles, so there is no aimless searching online. The other great thing is the variety of organizations you can support. There is something for everyone, soilders, children, foriegn aid, and hospitals to name a few.
I have been looking for some basic hat, shawl and blanket patterns and this book has them. So even after I am done "knitting for peace" I can knit for myself and the loved ones in my own life.
I think this book is just great and I highly recommend it.
I am telling every knitter I know about this book.
reviewed by noreason on November 29, 2006 7:33 PM