Book Review: Invisible Threads in Knitting, by Annemor Sundbø

INVISIBLE THREADS IN KNITTING
by Annemor Sundbø
published by Torridal Tweed, 2007

Norwegian author Annemor Sundbø has long been one of our knitting inspirations here at Purl. Her first book, Everyday Knitting (a description follows below), illuminates the beautiful connections of knitting to cultural history.  We couldn't contain our excitement at the appearance of her new book, Invisible Threads in Knitting.

As in her first book, Sundbø shares her immense knowledge of Scandanavian crafts and history in an engaging and warm way.  She describes traditions and decodes symbols, weaving in folk tales and bits of her own experiences.  Many common motifs we see in knitting today orginated in superstitions, legends, and fairy tales, which are "evidence of a language independent of national languages and taboos." For example, a 16th century embroidered cloth, a section of which is illustrated below, includes stags, birds, and the Tree of Life, all classic elements of knitting and needlework that originate in legends.

 

The book is full of wonderful artifacts, photographs, and paintings, as well as knitting.  Sundbø incorporates stitch patterns and projects into each section of the book, as well. Her traditional patterns are full of time-honored techniques and tricks that any knitter would love to learn. These beaded mittens are one variation of the pattern for Mittens Knitted Sideways,  with short rows.  This ingenious pattern is quite old, but is still a fun project that can be restyled with stripes, beads, or embroidery!

 

MORE FROM ANNEMOR SUNDBØ:
EVERYDAY KNITTING

Sundbø's first book, first published in English in 2001, details her serendipitous experience as the unwitting new owner of a century-old recycled wool factory.  Seeking a short sabbatical from her job as a weaving teacher in southern Norway, Sunbø quickly became entwined in the rich history of the fragments and garments that were piled in the cavernous stockrooms of the factory.  She shares these treasures, most of them handknitted, as well as their technical and cultural history. 

This photo shows Sunbø with one of the hundred-year-old shredding machines used to turn woolen rags into stuffing for comforters.  Her factory, Torridal Tweed and Wool Comforter Factory, the last of its kind in Norway, closed in 2006. 

Comments

[Amy]

oh thanks so much for posting about this book. i had never heard of her before and look forward to learning more.

[Lolly]

Absolutely fascinating - many thanks for posting about it! It looks right up my alley :)

[marteks]

This book is great! I didn't know it had come in english (I'm a norwegian). One of the cool techniques shown in this book is how to knit two mittens (or gloves) simultaneously :)