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Richard Rutt traces the mysterious history of this craft from ancient times to the present, examining museum collections, literary evidence and popular legends. Richard Rutt is the former Bishop of Leicester and has published many books including Korea: A Historical and Cultural Dictionaryand The Bamboo Grove: An Introduction to Sijo. Melissa Hughes is a member of British Equity and records for BBC America Audiobooks. Excerpted from A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Although selectors purchasing for comprehensive textile library collections may generally order, sight unseen, any book published by Interweave Press, this volume by Richard Rutt, Bishop of Leicester, stands out even among their many other fine offerings. It is both a thorough and scholarly study and a fascinating narrative that will be appreciated by the reader who wishes to understand the historical origins of hand knitting in the Western World. Rutt provides literary and artistic evidence of the role of hand knitting in society and of the uses of hand-knit items. The book is profusely illustrated with photographs depicting knitters and knitted objects, sample patterns, charts, and line drawings of stitches. There is a selective bibliography of sources, a glossary of knitting terms, a listing of English knitting works published prior to 1910 including a number of 19th-century periodical articles, and a reproduction of the oldest extant English knitting pattern ("how to knit a hose"). A History of Hand Knitting will not satisfy the reader searching for patterns to reproduce but will inform and enthrall the one who wishes to follow the development of a textile art that has provided distinctly fashioned items of both beauty and utilty. It is a unique contribution to a literature that is scattered and sparse and highly recommended for all collections on the history of textiles. -J. M. Hurd, University of Chicago

Booklist Review

Handknitting, one of the most domestic and practical of crafts, has been largely ignored by textile scholars. This seminal history of the topic provides a comprehensive and highly readable survey. Beginning chapters discuss the various definitions and techniques (such as equipment and needle positions). Later chapters discuss the role of handknitting in cultures ranging from the European to the Egyptian to the Chinese, with the author paying special attention to the social significance of knitting as well as its portrayal in folk stories and legends. There is a strong bias toward British knitting techniques here, with a transcription of the first British knitted stocking pattern provided. Enhanced by a wide assortment of graphs, patterns, photos, and diagrams, this is an excellent choice for public libraries. Glossary, appendixes, references, index. JMM.