"How would it look, do you think, if everyone, old and young, would sit down together to knit for a while? Laughter and merriment and riddles and questions and folktales and anecdotes from each person's life would blend together in stitches. Then later, when you recall these events that have gone through your own fingers stitch by stitch, they would speak their own quiet language: Do you remember? Do you remember?"
~Hermanna Stengard
From the book, The Swedish Mitten Book by Inger & Ingrid Gottfridsson
This is just one of the many heart soaring reads I've found searching through these books. While at work a couple weeks ago, I wonderful lady came in the yarn shop while I was busy answering customers questions. She dropped off a heavy medium sized box on the counter and she left. I glanced her way questionably and yelled "Thank you". Not knowing what I was thanking her for.
Books! knitting books! It was like Christmas, Knitting Without Tears, Zimmermann 1971, Latyian Mittens Lizabeth Upitis, 1981, Knitting in the Nordic Tradition, Vibeke Lind, (english translation, Annette Allen Jensen), 1984, Norwegian, Cornish guernseys, British Isles sweaters, the list goes on and on.
This is a serious collection of hardcore tradition (except the Knitted Animals) which helps lighten it up. It is overwhelming when I look at them all at once, but when I grab one at a time it's a joy.
This'll keep me busy for years.
OH! and happy summer!
