The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Self Discovery

The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Self Discovery

Knitting is the miracle of creating new dimensions from a strand of yarn. Let it bring that miraculous transformation to your spiritual life too. "This book is about seeing and listening. It's about becoming aware that through knitting you can hear and give attention to what’s in your heart and soul―that knitting can be a place of rest and thought and a place for the Divine. It’s about connection―to yourself, to the world, to others and to the Holy." ―from the Preface What can you learn about yourself through your knitting? What deeper symbolism lies behind the loops and patterns that you create? How can this simple activity help you make your way down a spiritual path? Delve into these questions and more in this imaginative book that will become your spiritual friend, your teacher and your sanctuary. Follow the knitting journeys of the authors and other knitters to discover how they have used their knitting to explore and strengthen their spiritual selves, and how you can do the same. In this joyful and engaging look at a time-honored craft you are invited to: Find time and space that was previously hidden in plain sight - Try creative, thought-provoking original knitting patterns - Recognize and deepen spiritual connections through knitting - Meet other knitters on the journey to spiritual and self- discovery - Explore new ways to expand and savor your knitting community - Recognize your own power to pass along the knitting wisdom "An enlightening, entertaining and affirming text on the spiritual depth of knitting. Finally, Skolnik and MacDaniels have put into words what I have been trying to express for so long about why knitting means so much to me." ― Melanie Falick , author of Handknit Holidays , Weekend Knitting , Kids Knitting and Knitting in America “A fascinating tale, knitting together the often disparate strands of science and religion, faith and reason, art and technology. Expert knitters and spiritual seekers, Skolnik and MacDaniels have filled their book with stories about design and wisdom to enrich our journeys, and guide us gently into Mystery.” ― Susan S. Jorgensen , spiritual director, retreat leader and coauthor of Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry “Can make some of our knitting time not be about product or even process, but about understanding, meaning and connection. Linda Skolnik brings to The Knitting Way an enthusiasm, curiosity and honesty that we trust.” ― Elaine Rowley , editor of XRX Books “A heartfelt journey that inspires us all to look both outward, into our culture and families, and inward, into our hearts, to seek the true meaning of our own knitting pathways.” ― Deborah Newton , author of Designing Knitwear Consider Your Knitting from a New and Spiritual Point of View The click of needles, the touch of wool, the miraculous creation of beautiful fabric from a single strand of yarn any knitter knows the satisfaction to be found in the simple act of knitting. But is there a way to develop this sense of the spiritual into a deeper, more mindful practice? Let The Knitting Way take you on a path deeper into your knitting and your spiritual awareness. Follow the stories, musings and discoveries of the authors as they illuminate the spiritual lessons you can learn through knitting. Explore your own knitting practice through original patterns, fun explorations and personal stories from knitters past and present. You will find yourself reaching for your needles and yarn as you read, inspired to take up your projects in a whole new state of mind. "A fascinating tale, knitting together the often disparate strands of science and religion, faith and reason, art and technology. Expert knitters and spiritual seekers, Skolnik and MacDaniels have filled their book with stories about design and wisdom to enrich our journeys, and guide us gently into Mystery." Susan S. Jorgensen, spiritual director, retreat leader, and coauthor of Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry "Can make some of our knitting time not be about product or even process, but about understanding, meaning and connection. Linda Skolnik brings to The Knitting Way an enthusiasm, curiosity and honesty that we trust." Elaine Rowley, editor of XRX Books Linda Skolnik created one of the most popular knitting resources in the world―Patternworks, a high-end knitting mail order company whose catalog has become a knitting bible for the world's most passionate knitters.She is coauthor of The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Self-Discovery (SkyLight Paths). Also a serious knitting enthusiast, Janice MacDaniels , who was the store manager at Patternworks, excels at encouraging knitting freedom and creativity and has led women's study groups in churches and at spiritual retreats.