Learn how the meditative practice of knitting can evolve in to a spiritual discipline. One third (53 million) of American women know how to knit, and knitting is becoming increasingly popular with men as well. Many of these knitters belong to social knitting circles, charity knitting groups, or knit with others in churches, cafes—and even in bars! This book shows how knitting creates connections and communities, and ties the repetition of knitting to the consistent recitation of prayer. It also compares the act of knitting to the spiritual journey, from starting something new to how we handle mistakes. Many people would like to incorporate a spiritual practice into their frenetic lives only to become discouraged and give up when they try. Those who knit are able to experience its calming effects and dedicate time to their craft each day.

This new spirituality of knitting addresses topics such as knitting as a popular pastime, what knitting does for our minds, bodies, and spirits, and how knitting helps people reduce stress, overcome loss, form friendships, and connect with a community. Most important, the author shows readers and crafters how knitting can become prayer.

Through stories, tips, and spiritual truths this book captures the joy of knitting and inspires readers to share their beautiful creations with those around them.

Knitters-there are some 38 million of them in the United States alone-are part of a tradition that's both plainly practical and deeply spiritual. With needles clicking, they weave together not just garments to warm the body but also comfort and companionship to nurture the soul. This tradition is flowering today through knitting ministries, a worldwide ecumenical movement of women's groups, gathering to pray and knit for those in need and those celebrating life's joys. As they create shawls for others, their handiwork becomes an expression of their love-and of the loving care of the God who works through them. Knitting into the Mystery shares the stories of how this ministry has touched lives and hearts around the world. It offers directions for knitting the shawls and for starting a parish or community knitting ministry. It also provides a selection of prayers, written from many faith traditions, to offer with each completed shawl. Book jacket.

With Hook in Hand, Enrich Your Spiritual Practice and Renew Your Awareness of the Connections of Creativity to Spirit What can you learn about yourself through your crocheting? 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 crochet journeys of the author and other crocheters to discover how they have used their crocheting 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 will discover ways to: Find a Sense of Fullness and Gratitude Have More within a Structure of Less Combine the Spiritual Practices of Meditation and Prayer Create Tools for Intensifying Spiritual Practice Find Your Spiritual Path with Crochet Connect with Community through Crochet Make Crochet Uniquely Yours and much more

The mystical path is not some sort of static experience for the select few, says Carl McColman, rather, it is a living tradition, a rich and many-layered dimension of spirituality that is in large measure a quest to find the mysteries at the heart of the universe, paradoxically nestled within the heart of your own soul. McColman first introduced readers to Christianity's lost mystical roots in his popular book, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism. Now McColman is back with Answering the Contemplative Call, to show readers how to apply the riches of the mystical tradition to daily living. McColman quotes from the great mystics of the Christian tradition who have also traveled this path, including Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Underhill and more. In Answering the Contemplative Call, McColman offers a practice that will help readers come to a place meaning and purpose in their lives.

“Thiessen has done her research, and talked to people who truly have insight into the process of making both yarn and clothing.” —Modern Daily Knitting Like the “slow food” movement, Slow Knitting encourages knitters to step back, pare down, and celebrate the craftsmanship of their work. In five chapters centered around the tenets of slow knitting—sourcing carefully, making thoughtfully, thinking environmentally, experimenting fearlessly, and exploring openly—Hannah Thiessen challenges knitters of all skill levels to view their practice in a new way. Each chapter contains explorations of fiber types; profiles of well-known yarn types, makers, and yarn suppliers; and garment patterns inspired by the featured fibers. With contributions from knitting superstars Norah Gaughan, Bristol Ivy, and many others, Slow Knitting proposes an approach to knitting that is both minimalist and all-encompassing, and emphasizes what makes knitting a meditation, a passion, and a unique necessity. “Promotes the concept of ‘slow knitting’ which discards the pressure to produce prolifically and instead, revolves around the idea that thoughtfully produced yarn will result in better projects for you-the crafter.” —MarthaStewart.com