The Manly Art of Knitting

by Dave Fougner

Book by Dave Fougner

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Art, Crafts

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not actually a helpful knitting guide (I had to ask my roommate to show me how to purl since the directions were completely unclear), but it's so worth it for the novelty. The front cover has a photo of a cowboy knitting astride a horse, and the book includes directions to knit a hammock with shovel handles.

[Sam Daab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted this book for the novelty of the cover and title, as well as the needlessly gendered marketing. I was surprised to find that this book was actually also delightful and informative! While the book has a bibliography, I wish there had been citations in the brief history of knitting section. The illustrations and project photos were some of my favorite parts of the book, particularly the photos of several animals making use of the knitting projects (the caption on the photo and the name of the project for the horse kills me). The instructions for knit stitches are simple enough and well written. The creative suggestions of using alternatives to knitting needles such as hoses or pool cues was unexpected but also lent an accessible perspective to knitters, as I believe it is important to remember that knits can be created on anything from pencils to dowels using anything from plastic to wire. Is it the best knitting book out of all for beginners? No. Is it a viable old-school print option for learning to knit? Absolutely.

[K.M. Updike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable piece that needs to be in all knitters collection. Quick, easy to read, and I enjoyed the functionality of the projects, and it's perspective as knitting being a skill and a tool rather than a comfy, passive hobby.

[Andrew Klindworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. Covers all the basics. I highly recommend reading it in a cowboy voice.

[sabisteb aka callisto · Rating 4 out of 5]

„The Manly Art of Knitting“ erschien 1972 auf Englisch. Ich glaube, das ist die erste deutsche Übersetzung, denn strickende Männer waren in Deutschland bisher eher die Ausnahme (obwohl ich einige kenne).
Auch wenn dieses Buch nun 2016 erschienen ist, ist es von Layout in Bildern her ein Buch der 70er Jahre mit den damals üblichen Zeichnungen und auch eher einfach gehaltenen Fotos.
Aufgrund seines Alters hat das Buch somit ein paar Probleme.
1. Die geraden Nadeln, die noch gezeigt werden. Aufgrund der Hebelwirkung sind diese langen, geraden Nadeln ganz schlecht für die Handgelenke, das ist (aus eigener Erfahrung) teilweise recht schmerzhaft. Damals strickte man noch nicht auf Rundstricknadeln.
2. Linkshänder werden in diesem Buch erneut eher ignoriert. In moderneren Büchern gibt es durchaus auch mal Hinweise für Linkshänder. Dieses Buch ist somit ein Lehrbuch für Rechtshänder.
3. Muster sind in Worten beschrieben und nicht in Grafiken mit Symbolen, wie es heute üblich ist. Ich muss mir solche Wortanweisungen meist in Symbole umschreiben.


Das Alter hat aber auch Vorteile:
1. Die Anweisungen sind sehr einfach und kurz gehalten und die s/w Zeichnungen sehr klar.


Da es sich um ein Buch für absolute Anfänger handelt, gibt es somit auch nur die ganz einfachen Standards, wie normales Abketten, den normalen, einfachen Maschenanschlag.

Fazit: Wenn man einer Gruppe, ob Männer oder Frauen, stricken beibringen will, sind diese sehr einfachen Anweisungen nahezu perfekt. Die Projekte sind ein wenig altbacken und nur noch bedingt nützlich, zumal wohl die wenigsten eine Pferdedecken werden stricken wollen. Die Zeichnungen sind wunderbar klar und teilweise besser als in modernen Büchern.
Das Buch ist auch noch Fadengeheftet (mit rotem Faden) etwas, was heute eher selten geworden ist. Das Buch wirkt damit schon fast wieder wie damals in den 1970er Jahren.
Mit nur 67 Seiten Umfang ist es somit entweder ein neckisches Geschenk für Männer, die Stricken wollen, eine gute Lehrgrundlage für einen Anfängerkurs oder ein hübsches Kuriosum für passionierte Strickerinnen.

Wer schon etwas fortgeschritten ist, rechts und linke Maschen beherrscht und einfach Muster kann, sollte lieber zu einem ausführlicheren, moderneren Werk greifen.

[Choyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Manly Art of Knitting' written by David Fougner

I used to have a copy of this in paperback that I got in a used bookstore a few years ago.
Also called 'Cowboy Knitting' but the same book, same cover, same patterns inside. Sadly, it got lost along the wayside somewhere during my many travels. It's a fun book, but I'd recommend other books for beginners, like Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'n Bitch series because her instructions are much clearer.

For some odd reason a lot of people seem to think that knitting is only done by women, but that is absolutely not true! Lots of people world-wide knit and crochet and weave for practical purposes as well as fun!

Think of it this way: fishermen and sailors knit, not only to mend their big fishing nets, but also they do macramé weaving for fun.
And cowboys back in the day had to endure endless hours and days of just sitting in their saddles with not a lot to do when they weren't actively moving the cattle herds somewhere, so, they knitted scarves and socks and sweaters and mittens for themselves and their families.

I initially learned how to knit from an old boyfriend's German mom when I was in collage, and then more as participation in a group art project and had so much fun I kept on with it. So I learned to knit Continental style, not English/American style.

And then when I lived in Italy, I took some advanced knitting classes, in between Italian cooking classes. Met some great people and experienced so many fun and interesting things to do!

Ah, but I digress... ;-)

Anyway, this is a basic how-to and a good starting off place! Have fun!

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a little secret about me...I have wanted to knit for many decades. Recently, the women/girls in my house have started to learn how to knit. My wife picked this up from the library and it was a quick 30 minute read with pictures and illustrations. I think I'll leave knitting to others. My woodworking keeps me busy, but glad I read about it. Learned a lot in a such a short book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a really good knitting guide. It has very simple knitting patterns, which don't need very much explanation. This might not be the best for a brand new knitter, but if you have some experience and want easy to follow patterns, this is for you.

I am planning to do the hammock one day and hopefully the dog blanket, but I really only got this for the novelty of it all. I've read another book specifically for male knitters recently and I like this one better. The patterns are really simple, but they are easy to understand and you can make them your own by either the color of the yarn or switching up the stitches.

Perfect for the cowboy knitter in your life.

**2021 Review**
I really enjoy this book. I just reread the patterns and the descriptions of the fabric each type of stitch makes. It really feels like it's aimed at a cowboy with easy to modify patterns.

[Homo sapiens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet. It describes everything with as few words as possible. The photos of the stitches are absolutely gorgeous and the projects practical. I also liked the troubleshooting part in the end.

A jewel in my library

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to learn to knit, buy something else. If you are looking for a gag gift, it isn't even really good for a laugh. It is way too small to use as a doorstop. Awful, awful, awful.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally quick read, but helpful as another reference guide as I gain knitting proficiency. Interesting projects included as well, for later consideration.

[Sandra]

I'm looking for a copy of this book

[Cheryl]

bought for SCLD a month or so ago... looking forward to reading myself.

[Antonio Ceté]

Sigo sin saber tejer, pero no porque el cowboy no se haya esforzado.