Love in Every Stitch: Stories of Knitting and Healing

by Lee Gant

Overview

In her inspiring book, Love in Every Stitch: Stories of Knitting and Healing, master knitter, teacher, and widely published knitwear designer Lee Gant shares real-life stories about the power of knitting.

As an employee of three different yarn stores, a teacher of countless knitting classes, and a volunteer with at-risk youth, Lee has had the opportunity to gather diverse stories.

The stories Lee shares about herself and fellow knitters from around the world illustrate how each stitch and purl can comfort and calm, heal and renew. A suicidal teenager crochets through pregnancy. A dying woman finds comfort in the company of knitters. A woman finds the courage to face her estranged parents. A woman going blind realizes she can still knit — and experience life. And Lee's life, riddled with more than just anxiety, has at last become stable and productive. This book includes stories of women, men, and teens who have experienced profound change and enlightenment through knitting and crochet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632280183
Publisher:	Start Publishing LLC
Publication date:	04/14/2015
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

A renowned designer and sought-after teacher, Lee Gant is a household name among knitting enthusiasts. Holding the rank of 'master knitter,' Lee enjoys working with adults and children, as young as age eight, teaching self-empowerment through knitting. Some of Lee's designs can be found in 60 Quick Baby Knits, in Knit Picks and Patternfish online, and at Strings and Things in Kauai. Lee's knitting has won many first place and best-in-show awards at county fairs in northern California. Her new pattern collection for children's knitwear will publish in the spring of 2016. She lives in Santa Rosa, CA.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Introduction: Sunshine Is a Color ix

Part I Changing 1

Chapter 1 Palette of Comfort 2

Chapter 2 The Pearl and the Bear 8

Chapter 3 Healing Sticks 14

Part II Overcoming 23

Chapter 4 Circles 24

Chapter 5 Ewe and Me 32

Chapter 6 Pencils in Motion 39

Part III Grieving 47

Chapter 7 Tuck in the Ends 48

Chapter 8 Moving On 54

Chapter 9 The Girl Who Cuts 62

Part IV Mending 73

Chapter 10 Lost but Not Forgotten 74

Chapter 11 A Way Out 83

Chapter 12 A Million Miles Away 90

Chapter 13 Street Teens 100

Part V Giving 109

Chapter 14 Keep On Casting On 110

Chapter 15 Diane's Story 114

Chapter 16 Keep Fighting 121

Part VI Discovering 129

Chapter 17 The Suitcase 130

Chapter 18 Vision of Change 133

Chapter 19 Shed Full of Treasure 138

Part VII Living 145

Chapter 20 Wicker and Lace 146

Chapter 21 Community 152

Chapter 22 Every Day 157

Part VIII Sharing 161

Chapter 23 Crafty Ladies 162

Chapter 24 Home at Last 170

Chapter 25 Boot Camp 182

Part IX Ending 187

Chapter 26 Cherry Street 188

Chapter 27 The Gift 195

Chapter 28 Full Circle 202

Chapter 29 We Are All Stars 210

Afterword 215

We Are All Stars! Hat Pattern 217

About the Author 223

Editorial Reviews

"Lee Gant brings us stories from the edge of suffering, marked by addiction, violence and grief. Why venture into this terrain? On the other side we experience the tangible feel of yarn, hands moving with knitting needles and the comfort of a shared passion. Love in Every Stitch demonstrates Gant's deep love for the craft of knitting, how knitting offered a healing balm in her recovery, as well as helping countless others. As someone who believes in the potency of the arts, Gant offers another view through her testimony to knitting's therapeutic powers, so simple yet profound." -Adriana Marchione, expressive arts therapist and teacher, creator of When the Fall Comes, a film on love, loss and art

"I found it hard to put down, the raw emotion in her words draws you in and you will find yourself willing her on to succeed. And she has - big time. We can so readily write people off in this modern world, particularly young people who have resorted to alcohol and other drugs to help them cope. Lee is a shining example of how you CAN dig yourself out of a deep dark place to become happy and successful. She wrote in her story to me that she was told that she would never amount to anything...but she has shown them all otherwise, and now she is helping others to climb up there with her. There are lessons for us all to learn in this book." —Betsan Corkhill, author of Knitting for Wellness

"Everyone knows that handmade knitted items warm the body, but only knitters understand that the craft of knitting can also heal the mind and soothe the soul. In this beautiful and uplifting book, Lee Gant tells her personal account of how knitting made a difference in her life. Read her story: You'll laugh, and you'll cry. And, if you're not already a devoted knitter, I bet by the end you'll be registered for your first lesson at your local yarn shop! What this world needs is more folks like Ms. Gant—and, of course, more knitters. . . ." —Melissa Leapman, bestselling author of Knitting the Easy Way

"Lee Gant gives an honest account of her past substance abuse, entwining her stories with her passion for knitting. Not only has she recovered and persevered, but she continues her journey as she teaches the art of knitting to others with similar issues. Ms. Gant's color descriptions are delicious, enticing anyone to taste the craft of knitting [...] Highly recommended." —Pamela Fender, author of Beside Myself:Recovery From My Family Betrayal and Estrangement

Reviews

"Lee Gant brings us stories from the edge of suffering, marked by addiction, violence and grief. Why venture into this terrain? On the other side we experience the tangible feel of yarn, hands moving with knitting needles and the comfort of a shared passion. Love in Every Stitch demonstrates Gant's deep love for the craft of knitting, how knitting offered a healing balm in her recovery, as well as helping countless others. As someone who believes in the potency of the arts, Gant offers another view through her testimony to knitting's therapeutic powers, so simple yet profound." -Adriana Marchione, expressive arts therapist and teacher, creator of When the Fall Comes, a film on love, loss and art

"I found it hard to put down, the raw emotion in her words draws you in and you will find yourself willing her on to succeed. And she has - big time. We can so readily write people off in this modern world, particularly young people who have resorted to alcohol and other drugs to help them cope. Lee is a shining example of how you CAN dig yourself out of a deep dark place to become happy and successful. She wrote in her story to me that she was told that she would never amount to anything...but she has shown them all otherwise, and now she is helping others to climb up there with her. There are lessons for us all to learn in this book." —Betsan Corkhill, author of Knitting for Wellness

"Everyone knows that handmade knitted items warm the body, but only knitters understand that the craft of knitting can also heal the mind and soothe the soul. In this beautiful and uplifting book, Lee Gant tells her personal account of how knitting made a difference in her life. Read her story: You'll laugh, and you'll cry. And, if you're not already a devoted knitter, I bet by the end you'll be registered for your first lesson at your local yarn shop! What this world needs is more folks like Ms. Gant—and, of course, more knitters. . . ." —Melissa Leapman, bestselling author of Knitting the Easy Way

"Lee Gant gives an honest account of her past substance abuse, entwining her stories with her passion for knitting. Not only has she recovered and persevered, but she continues her journey as she teaches the art of knitting to others with similar issues. Ms. Gant's color descriptions are delicious, enticing anyone to taste the craft of knitting [...] Highly recommended." —Pamela Fender, author of Beside Myself:Recovery From My Family Betrayal and Estrangement

From the Publisher