All across the world, people are knitting for peace. You'll often find them gathered in private homes, at knitting guild meetings, in churches and synagogues, in elementary schools, even in prisons. They call the work they do "charity knitting." They knit afghans for families in need, preemie caps for AIDS babies, mittens for homeless children, socks for soldiers on missions, hats for women coping with breast cancer treatments. "Knitting for Peace" tells the stories of 28 knitting-for-peace endeavours, with smaller, more anecdotal stories shared in corresponding sidebars. And though it promises to be a fun and inspiring read, liberally sprinkled with quotes by famous knitters and peacemakers, "Knitting for Peace" also offers practicial, hands-on information, including 15 patterns for easy-to-knit charity projects as well as lists of places that accept charity knitting, tips for starting knitting-for-peace groups and charity knit-ins and information on finding local charity knitting outlets - hospitals, homeless shelters, etc. From The Publisher: 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. |