It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons

It Itches is a charming, delightful book. I'm not normally much of a cartoon person, but I fell in love with it. The book contains some essays as well as the cartoons Franklin is famous for, and all are witty and amusing. It's refreshing to see that someone can still make innocent humor work in this scary and depressing time--this book is comforting, like putting on jeans still warm from the dryer on a cold morning. I give it my highest recommendation.

I flipped through this in Borders and was laughing so hard I had to buy a copy for my fellow knitting friend. The cartoons are only half the fun--every few pages, he's inserted miniature prose features that are just hilarious. The Stash is a classic (and oh so dreadfully true! In fact mine is grumbling with hunger right now!), and his 'excerpts' from famous people's diaries is probably the funniest thing I've read in a long time! This book is simply adorable. It will make the rounds of your knitting circle with many chortles and groans and 'oh my god I've actually *said* that!'s. If you're looking for a little stocking stuffer or 'teacher's gift' (this is a whole genre of gifts now, I'm told, though we didn't have them back in the olden days), this is a surefire hit!

Put down any drinks before you open this book! The cartoons are beautiful, the essays are wonderful. Franklin shares his love of knitting and displays his most wondrous sense of humor in a fashion that everyone can relate to. This book is for all the yarn hoarders out there and the people who love them. You need this book in your stash! Love you Franklin! When is the next book coming out?

All my knitting friends are going to receive a copy of this wonderful collection of cartoons from the creator of THE PANOPTICON, a must-read fiber-related weblog. I wish I could give IT ITCHES six stars...it's hilarious, breathtakingly original and, I'm sure, destined to be included in every fiberholic's library. Thank you, Franklin for taking care of most of my holiday shopping.

"It Itches" is a book perfect for every knitter -- and crocheter and spinner, too. The book contains a combination of humorous essays and delightful cartoons (think New Yorker) centering around the hobby (some might say "passion") of knitting. The creation of popular blogger, knitter and raconteur Franklin Habit, this book is certain to cement his reputation as one of the most creative and observant knitting writers around. Habit has a distinctive voice, and a wry and quirky take on the age-old craft of knitting -- as well as the modern-day knitter, who is not necessarily a rocking-chair-sitting grandmother, as Habit himself proves. The book is hardcover, filled with beautifully-drawn cartoons that make the reader laugh out loud (and often nod the head in recognition of seeing oneself in them), and a bargain at less than twelve dollars. The six-by-six book is the perfect size to fit in a knitting bag, and would make an excellent gift for anyone you know who loves to play with yarn. A must-have book for the fiberholic.