Books
Last-Minute Jolabokaflod Shopping: Books
Greetings everyone!
We love the Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of exchanging books and spending the rest of the night and the next morning with everyone in the household curled up and reading. It’s called jolabokaflod, which translates, in the wryly direct fashion we associate with Icelanders, as “the Christmas book flood.” It’s such a cozy—and bookish—way to spend time together this time of year. Just add yarn, and perhaps a mug of cocoa, for a perfect jolabokaflod under your own roof, wherever you are.
In the spirit of jolabokaflod, we have buffed up the MDK Knitter’s Bookshelf with lashings of favorite books both new and old. Nearly every title is on our own shelves (or, in a few cases, waiting—we hope—in our jolabokaflod stockings, hung by the chimney with care).
Did you know we have a Knitter’s Bookshelf? We do! It’s up there in the navigation bar year-round, helpfully labeled Knitter’s Bookshelf. As with our real-life libraries, our bookshelf is not super orderly. We’ve made an attempt at organization by listing the books in alphabetical order, by title. We don’t have categories, but if we did, they’d be: Classics to Be Cherished by Every Knitter, How-Tos That Have Helped Us in Our Hours of Need, Knitterly Eye Candy, and Raise ’Em Right (textile-related titles for children). We hope you’ll have fun browsing our selections, and we welcome your suggested additions. Never too many books!
Here’s a Fun Fact that is also Fine Print: the links in the Knitter’s Bookshelf are affiliate links. When someone purchases through one of these links, MDK gets a small commission. Every little bit helps to keep on keeping on, for which we’re truly grateful.
Love,
Ann and Kay
THANK YOU for including my “Socks From the Toe Up” on your bookshelf. I am so flattered and humbled to be in among such exalted company!
That was one of the first pattern books I bought as a relatively new knitter. (If I remember correctly, I picked it up at the Strand while visiting New York City during spring break my junior year of college.) I’ve knit dozens of pairs of socks from it, and finally jotted down the pattern to my favorite on an index card that I keep in the project bag that lives in my purse. (Never leave home without a sock in progress is a motto that I feel the MDK team can get behind.)
I just want to say I have your book and it is the BEST. Great information and beautiful patterns.
The very first book is utterly awesome – must for anyone who wants to experiment with fairisle patterns
Might I suggest adding Alter Knit and The Japanese Stitch Bible to the list? I own both and they help me approach knitting in non-traditional ways (compared to the traditions I am used to). Alter Knit oozes funky and fun while The Japanese Stitch Bible shows the enormous range possible from two sticks and a piece of string, with an occasional hook thrown in there for good measure. I might also add: Cast On, Bind Off; Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks; Knitting Comfortably; and A Knitter’s Home Companion (that last one is perfect for curling up with on the couch when you are having a bad day). Why yes, I do have a lot of books and those are the ones not on your list that I turn to often.
Thank you Debbi! AlterKnit is on the list and I will take your suggestions on board!
I just sent the citation to everybody in my addressbook. What a glorious tradition. We will begin in our family on Christmas Eve. Usually we ignore everybody else on Christmas Day while starting our new books.
Kids Knit was the very first knitting book I ever purchased!
I did not know MDK had a Knitter’s Bookshelf!! Thank you for pointing this out to me 😉 Down the rabbit hole I go!
Awesome book collection!
Just bought Knitters Home Companion and am enjoying every bit of it. Great stories, patterns, recipes and suggestions for other books to enjoy. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.