PATTERNS: Classic cuffed hat (Purl Soho) -- Paintbrush lace cowl (Hill Country Weavers) -- Cherry seed stitch tea cozy (Churchmouse Yarns & Teas) -- Chimes cowl (Loop) -- Stonehaven stole and scarf (The Yarnery) -- Rivulet cowl (Knit Purl)

"The rhythm, ritual, and pleasure of knitting are celebrated in this new collection for lovers of both knitting and literature. In [this book], two dozen writers write about the transformative and healing powers of knitting. Lily King remembers the year her family lived in Italy, and a knitted hat that helped her daughter adjust to her new home. Laura Lippman explores how converting to Judaism changed not only Christmas but also her mother's gift of a knitted stocking. Jodi Picoult remembers her grandmother and how through knitting she felt that everlasting love. And Bill Roorbach remembers his freshman year in college when knitting soothed his broken heart and helped him fall in love again. Other contributors include Steve Almond, Ann Leary, Christina Baker Kline, Lee Woodruff, and knitting rock stars Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed and the Yarn Whisperer, Clara Parks. With knitting patterns from renowned stores such as Purl Soho, Hill Country Weavers, and Churchmouse Yarns, [this book] is by turns delightful and heartbreaking, joyous and wise. These personal stories by ... writers celebrate the moments of loss and love intertwined in the rhythm, ritual, and pleasure of knitting" --

Introduction / Ann Hood -- Clothes for the living / Steve Almond -- Knitting took me halfway round the world / Anne Bartlett -- Unraveling / Cynthia Chinelly -- Casting off a spell / Melissa Coleman -- Big maroon sweater / Michael Collier --

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Unravelers / Stephanie Mannatt Danler -- Handmade at home / Jared Flood -- Wool / Nick Flynn -- Why, yes -- I can knit my way out of a wet paper bag... / Diana Gabaldon --

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Red vest / Debra Gwartney -- What happened in Scotland / Jane Hamilton -- My mother-in-law, her knitting, and me / Cathi Hanauer --

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Italian hat / Lily King --

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Museum of the lady with only one neck / Perri Klass -- How we spend our days / Christina Baker Kline -- On knitting / Ann Leary --

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Dinosaur sweater / Caroline Leavitt --

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Thirty-first stocking / Laura Lippmann -- Positive capability / Maile Meloy -- Knit your bit / Stewart O'Nan -- An open letter to all my unfinished projects / Clara Parkes -- Why I don't knit / Jodi Picoult -- Creation myth / Robin Romm -- Sarah with an H / Bill Roorbach -- Just this / Dani Shapiro -- Emma's lessons / Samantha van Leer --

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Santa stocking / Lee Woodruff -- Contributors' notes -- About our knitting stores