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The Power of Knitting

Stitching Together Our Lives in a Fractured World

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The Power of Knitting

By: Loretta Napoleoni
Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
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About this listen

 Purl and stitch: Empowering, healing, and reconnecting us to each other and ourselves

In a fractured world plagued by anxiety and loneliness, knitting is coming to the rescue of people from all walks of life. Economist and lifelong knitter Loretta Napoleoni unveils the hidden power of the purl and stitch mantra: an essential tool for the survival of our species, a means for women to influence history, a soothing activity to calm us, and a powerful metaphor of life.

This book is a voyage through our history following the yarn of social, economic and political changes - from ancient Egypt and Peru to modern Mongolia, from the spinning bees of the American Revolution to the knitting spies of World War II, and from the hippies' rejection of consumerism to yarnbombing protests against climate change. For the author it is also a personal journey of discovery and salvation, drawing on the wisdom her grandmother passed along as they knit together.

Revealing recent discoveries in neuroscience, The Power of Knitting offers proof of the healing powers of knitting on our bodies and minds. Breaking through societal barriers, even nursing broken hearts, and helping to advance cutting-edge science, knitting is still a valuable instrument for navigating our daily lives.

As a bonus, the book includes patterns for ten simple yet iconic projects that reflect the creative, empowering spirit of knitting, with complete instructions.

*This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF containing knitting patterns from the book. Crafts & Hobbies Education Gender Studies Social Sciences Middle East Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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Not a good as I had hoped. The writer is very self pitying which gets bit tiresome, and there are inaccuracies with the content, which you will note if you are an experienced knitter.

More of a writer than a knitter

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A fascinating account of the story of knitting and where it sits in our society. It answered one of my long time questions ' why is this ancient craft is devalued in Western society?'.
I am British and I struggled with the intonation of the narrator but the content was so fascinating I persisted.
My final point is about the financial stuggle of the author which is threaded throughout the book. I too used knitting to help me through severe financial difficulties. However my worries were about finding enough money to pay my mortgage and electricity bill. If only I had had a lakeside house to sell and was able to buy a round the world ticket!!! However I it seems that Loretta has learned something about 'true value'.

A Personal Journey through the History of Knitting

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