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informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
If fiber craft occupies a big bright corner of your heart (like it does mine), pick up a copy of this book. Peggy Orenstein’s perspective as a curious and determined amateur tackling the process of sheep-to-sweater knitting is equally delightful, emotional, thoughtful, and funny.
She intersects her own experience of shearing, cleaning, carding, spinning, dyeing, designing, AND knitting this sweater with the history of wool textiles, “women’s work,” the evolutionary relationship of sheep and humans, the ecological plight of modern fast fashion, and so much more - all while unpacking the unpredictable vagaries of motherhood, aging (as a woman), losing your parents, climate change, and lockdown.
I absolutely adored this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexism, Dementia, Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder, Racism
lighthearted
slow-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
I loved this book! As a knitter, it was a fun read. But even non-knitters can learn so much from the life themes running through Unraveling. It is fast, informative, thoughtful. Such a wonderful book that, having checked it out at the library, I’m buying a copy for my personal library and for my daughter.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
So this may be one of my favorite books of the year, maybe of all time. I picked it up because I am also a knitter, and I love reading about when people tackle a huge personal project (like reading the Dictionary, or cooking their way through a whole cookbook, hiking the PCT, etc), but this book is so much more. There is the personal project and journey, but there is also the microhistory of fiber and textiles - both generally and through the lens of women, a look at the social issues of our time (climate change, racial justice, women's rights), and the very personal contemplations of her own life.
I haven't read anything else by Peggy Orenstein, but after this book I will be. Her writing and tone hit a sweet spot that made this book feel expansive, but personal. I connected with this book on many levels, and learned so much both as a lover of fiber but also as a human learning to be a better human. I truly love this book, and I want to have everyone I know read it so we can talk about it.
I haven't read anything else by Peggy Orenstein, but after this book I will be. Her writing and tone hit a sweet spot that made this book feel expansive, but personal. I connected with this book on many levels, and learned so much both as a lover of fiber but also as a human learning to be a better human. I truly love this book, and I want to have everyone I know read it so we can talk about it.