New book celebrates anarchy in knitting

I’m a little afraid that my knitting is going to land me in big trouble. I’m concerned because I just bought a copy of Anna Zilboorg’s “Knitting for Anarchists” at a downtown bookstore – you, know, guilt by association, the Patriot Act and all that. No, no, Zilboorg doesn’t advocate assassinations by knitting needle or stealth projects involving secret codes knit into Techno Hair scarves. But she does define an anarchist as one who doesn’t like to be told what to do or to follow directions without deviation – that description strikes a little close to home.

What she’s advocating is not the subversion of governments, but knitting without patterns, knitting for the fun of it, knitting for the love of fiber and the simple pleasure of using your hands to produce something useful with what amounts to a pair of sticks and some string.

Even though she lives a contemplative life in the mountains of Virginia and spends her days knitting socks, mittens and sweaters, and writing books about it, she doesn’t encourage knitters to get spirituality all tangled up with the act of knitting. Knitting is knitting, not religion – although for some of us the difference is a little murky.

“If you are an anarchist at heart,” she writes, “your desire is for something unique – something that is wholly yours. Not fashionable; not proper or correct; maybe not even practical – but beautiful. Knitting is a truly simple craft. All of us can do wonderful things with it … with no need for anyone to feel superior to anyone else – and that fundamental denial of hierarchy is the foundation of anarchism.”

She goes on to illustrate the process of creating your own designs with her all-purpose, strip-knit technique.

Recently I bought another book – this one I don’t think I have to worry about – “KnitLit,” edited by Linda Roghaar and Molly Wolfe. The book is a compendium of essays and stories about knitting. Contributors Elaine Eskesen, Peter Hagerty, Frances Lord Corriveau and Lucinda Garthwaite have Maine roots.

Roghaar is looking for stories for a second volume of knitting stories, “KnitLit 2: Stories from Sheep to Shawl.” If you have a great knitting story to tell, Rohaar will consider it for the book. She is looking for personal stories and essays up to 1,000 words in length.

Essays should be lively and attractive, ranging from the hilarious to the thoughtful, from the practical to the poetic, and from the spiritual to the wickedly mischievous.

Deadline for submissions is April 30. To obtain detailed guidelines, visit the Web at www.knitlit.com. Stories may be submitted by e-mail to info@knitlit.com or by regular mail to: KnitLit Project, c/o Linda Roghaar, PO Box 3561, Amherst, MA 01004-3561.

Snippets

The correct e-mail address for In Stitches in Bucksport is info@institches-online.com.

The correct Web address for the Embroiders Guild of America is www.egausa.org.

And an update from the Ships Project: Knitters have made more than 39,000 items for U.S. troops.

Embroidery and cross-stitch enthusiasts may indulge their passion at the 8th annual Celebration of Needlework May 2-4 in Nashua, N.H. Nationally known designers and teachers lead classes for all skill levels. Events include a Yankee swap, make-it and take-it sessions, a market and a stitchers lounge for those who like to do stitching late at night. Go to www.celebrationofnw.com for information.

Want to crochet for a cause? The Lion Brand Yarn Co. will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of its scarf kit to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The kit contains pink yarn, a hook, a pattern and a laminated breast self-exam guide in a zippered plastic tote. Learn more at www.lionbrand.com.

Ardeana Hamlin can be reached at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.