Knitting Around

This 191 page hardcover 1989 book is the 5th table leg of a quintet of important Elizabeth Zimmermann (EZ) hand-knitting books. Knitting Around (KnitAr) is graphics-intense, with both black and white photos and hand-written graphics peppered on almost every page. From pages 81-96, however, there are color photos with hand-drawn nature graphics surrounding these photos.KnitAr has a catchy subtitle: ‘Knitting Without A License’, which has 2 meanings: One is located on page XIV (read it to find out what it is!) and the other is mentioned in EZ’s other mirrored bookend (from the ‘quintet’) to this book, The Opinionated Knitter (TOK). Read my review of it here: https://www.amazon.com/Opinionated-Knitter-Elizabeth-Zimmermann/dp/0942018265/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8  The Opinionated Knitter KnitAr has 9 chapters, each one a knitting pattern in which the reader learns how to knit that particular item, AND it is followed by a 2nd section, ‘Digressions’, which goes back throughout EZ’s entire life, detailing who and what she is as a person until the year that this book was printed. (Note: These sections look like a PBS film ‘treatment’ for a multi-year TV series on famous British citizens, their lives, and their many travels in the world. Buy this book and see!) Note that her ‘Digressions’ sections strongly mirror similar sections that her daughter Meg co-authored in TOK after EZ had passed away. In fact, both books mirror each other in many ways. (Buy TOK and compare it to this one!)The 9 chapters in KnitAr are as follows: Chapter 1. “Moccasin Socks and Other Stockings” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 2. “Fair Isle Yoke Sweater” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 3. “Knitted Dickeys & A Very Warm Hat” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 4. “The Knitted Moebius” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 5. “The Bog Jacket” and ‘The Art of Elizabeth Zimmermann’ and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 6. “The Pie Are Square Shawl” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 7. “A Norwegian Pullover” and ‘Digressions’; Chapter 8. “A Mittful of Mittens” and ‘Digressions’; and Chapter 9. “An Aran Coat” (See page 168 in which BOTH EZ and Meg work on the same coat at the same time; this gives knitting ‘in concert’ a whole new meaning!) and ‘Digressions’.Following these 9 chapter patterns while weaving in her life story in her ‘Digressions’, is a 7-page Appendix, with knitting stitch graphics. The final part of the book is a 3-page Index.The 4 other books, besides this one, in his quintet are: The Opinionated Knitter (TOK) (See my review in the earlier link); Knitting Workshop (KW) https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitting-Zimmermann-1981-12-01/dp/B017MYPOCA/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8  Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann (1981-12-01)  ; Knitters Almanac (KA) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486241785/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_?ie=UTF8&psc=1  Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)  ; Knitting Without Tears (KWT) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684135051/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_?ie=UTF8&psc=1  Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes As I have mentioned earlier, KnitAr, in many ways is a mirror of TOK: The books are written in a similar way. However, this book was written by EZ in 1989, while TOK was co-written by her daughter Meg in 2005 after EZ had passed away in 1999, and it serves as a tribute to EZ and what EZ meant to the hand-knitting world.In the preface of this book, daughter Meg beautifully described what KnitAr is about, by saying: “Since knitting has threaded itself steadily through her life, it seemed appropriate to thread her life through this knitting book.” She thinks and sounds like her mother!All 5 of these EZ books should be in every hand-knitter’s library. My 5 books are often grabbed , placed together, and loosely arranged on my coffee table (sometimes with yarn and needles), to stimulate me to start a new hand-knitting project. They are a wonderful collection to have in toto.

Though this was filmed many years ago it is wonderful to still be able to watch & listen to a world-renowned knitting expert, who has passed away. I love the interaction between Elizabeth and her daughter Meg, who also is an expert knitter. I’m looking forward to knitting the patterns!

Okay, so this little book is just fun. There's something in here for everyone. It has mostly black and white photographic and graphics. No knitting library is complete without Elizabeth Zimmermann. The Hoody Coat!!! The Mittens! The head gear! Go on, get one!

While this book does contain several knitting patterns, this is a largely autobiographical book by Elizabeth Zimmermann. If you are familiar with her lively books and "deconstruction" knitting patterns, and find them charming, you will love this one. If you didn't like her other books, you'll dislike this one.The patterns are about learning to knit rather than following a pattern, and I think makes knitting less intimidating. The patterns cover socks, a fiar isle yoke sweater, dickeys and hats, the moebius jacket, the "Bog Jacket," the "pie are square" shawl, a Norwegian pullover, mittens, and my personal favorite, the Aran coat. Obviously, not a huge number of patterns, but I bought it mostly for Elizabeth's life story and her warm writing style.

This book was not at all like I expected. First of all....most of the book is stories about Elizabeth. I was wanting more information about seamless sweater design and instruction. If you want to know more about Elizabeths personal history then this book is for you. If you need instructions for sweaters, I would suggest Knitting without Tears or Knitting workshop. I am re saling my book.

I really enjoyed reading about EZ's early life and marriage. Her life is fascinating. The knitting instructions for the projects are pure Zimmermann, to say; less than explicit. I wouldn't try them without some guidance from someone who has experience with the patterns. But to me, the book was about EZ's life experience and it was very much worth the purchase price. Her knitting philosophy is priceless and so is her attitude toward life in general.

Very informative, and innovative at the time knitting techniques that we now take for granted for knitting in the round.What I enjoyed more, was the autobiography of Elizabeth Zimmerman's life. She was a woman ahead of her time. A talented artist, a free thinker. She grew up in a privaledged household, and had the opportunity to travel in even higher privledged circles. Yet this did not at all alter her down to earth character. I really enjoy her pragmatic philosphy, and her approach to knitting.The pictures of her art work, and of her life are facinating. The knitting diagrams of Elizabeth Zimmerman have at times left some detail to be desired, but her descriptions more than make up for it.

This book contains many patterns that I don't have in other EZ books. About half the contents, though, are EZ's autobiography. There are EZ-style patterns for: moccasin socks (re-footable socks), fairisle yoke pullover, dickeys & hats, mobius, bog jacket, pi shawl, norwegian pullover, various mittens and an aran coat. While I have the pullovers and some (not all) mittens in other EZ books, I have no other copies of the remaining garments.The patterns are generally presented in EZ's conversational style not in the detailed style preferred by some folks.

Arrived ahead of predicted delivery, in great condition. This is a fascinating mix of EZ's inimitable knitting instructions (actually, 'guides' might be more appropriate), and her famous 'digressions' which cover her life story, with beautiful examples of her artwork and family photos: all written in a warm and collaborative style. I love her approach to knitting and to writing in general, and have now made a complete mess of the spare room by dragging out all my yarn stash to sort into projects from this book! I would recommend this even to novice knitters, as although the instructions do sometimes take a bit of working out (part of my stash is in the 'what was I thinking but it'll do for trialling' pile), I think her approach to, and joy in, knitting is a great way to go. And some of her solutions to common knitting issues are really helpful. You may decide it's not your thang (some of the garments look oldfashioned now, but to me the Bog Jumper is a great example of what goes around etc) but I'm pretty sure that you'll try at least one idea of hers, and enjoy a great read in the process.

I came across the name Elizabeth Zimmerman recently when I returned to an early craft love of mine, knitting. I was intrigued about the little snippets I'd read in articles. I love this book. I couldn't put it down once I opened it. I always knew knitters where clever funny gurus. Elizabeth is the Queen of that and what a fabulously interesting life. Colourful stories, beautiful patterns.

after all these years still one of the best books to give you confidence to do your own designs

Invaluable, quintessential EZ

Just great!