There is nothing at all wrong with this book--I liked it, I'm just not jumping up and down about it (to me, most books are a 3 ... )

It was a pleasant read--I'm a new knitter, and this was my first "knitting anecdotes" book rather than a "how to do this weird hard thing called knitting" book. There are a great many garden books in this category (about gardening, rather than knitting), and not so many knitting books, so it's a lovely thing just for scarcity alone.

But like a decent sandwich, I enjoyed it, I finished it, and I won't be having it again--though I'm open to reading more from her. ( )

3.5. Each essay was charming enough, but would have been better as the final page of a monthly magazine instead of a whole book in itself. At least to my preference. The final essay was my favorite. ( )

It's a fast read. I started late in the day and almost 2/3 done without effort. Then it took me two days to finish. Enjoyable mixing knitting examples with her own life story tidbits. ( )

From the author of three detailed reference books for knitters, we are treated to 22 lovely essays about the way knitting and yarn have influenced and enhanced Parkes' life. Each word is as well thought out as a carefully placed stitch, knitting words together seamlessly without any disruptive duplicate stitch jarring the reader.

While it's easy to curl up and devour this slim book in a single evening (with a side-order of tea and snuggly kittens), I believe this volume is best enjoyed slowly, savoring each essay. I waited a very long time to receive my copy of this title so it was not possible to take the slow approach, but I do plan on rereading and enjoying these essays again.

One quote that spoke to me the most is about purling, or perhaps myself:
"Purling is the introvert stitch. It requires that you focus on /you/ looking inward instead of outward" (p 50). Yes. Thank you Ms Parkes for sharing your purls and some of the fabric of your life. ( )