Read about a woman who turned a passion project into a book
Unraveling — Peggy Orenstein
Under-the-Radar Book of the Week
Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein
What It’s About
The early days of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic were spent largely in fear, isolation, and sadness, and many picked up hobbies to cope. Whether it was a new pet, a sourdough obsession, or, for Peggy, making a sweater. She’d always been a knitter, but this time she wanted to really make her own sweater, from start to finish.
That included shearing wool from a sheep, spinning it into yarn, dyeing it, and knitting it into a wearable garment. Along the way, she learned about each step of the process and how many of our garments get made today, involving fast fashion and the downside to quick-changing trends and labor practices in garment production. The environment is harmed when unused clothing piles up, and many workers are well below the poverty line, working long and grueling hours making pieces consumers only wear once.
Peggy adds humor and heart to her investigation into what goes into making a sweater, including the grueling work that goes along with it that is often unseen by consumers in a department store casually throwing tops in their cart.
Here’s her finished sweater!
Why You Should Read It
Yes, I’m a knitter. In fact, I’m a general doer. Any kind of hobby, art, craft, etc., I’ve probably tried, currently do, or have on a list to try at some point. But even if you’re not a knitter or a crafter, I’d still recommend this book, as it’s about more than the act of knitting a sweater.
Orenstein’s focus on something so singular is something I admire, and the dedication she spent learning about her materials, their path through production, and how one simple garment affects so many people and places was incredible to read about. It might inspire you to finally try that obscure hobby you’ve always said you’ll do one day.
If you’re looking for more reading about fast fashion and its impact on the environment, check out Worn by Sofi Thanhauser, or if you’re looking for another stunt memoir (a memoir focusing on one project or one particular time in a person’s life, one of my favorites is Rough Magic, which I’ve recommended on the newsletter before.
Misc.
It’s been ages since I’ve been into a television show, so I have been thrilled that one has grabbed my attention. Silo (streaming on Apple+) is a dystopian futuristic story about humans who live in a huge underground silo, not knowing what happens outside, only that it’s bad.
This has been fueling my dystopian obsession lately, as that’s largely what I’ve been reading. The adventure and the hope for change is what draws me to these stories. I’m currently reading Electric Kingdom by David Arnold and The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy.
Giveaway!
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More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read one family’s struggle to stay together amid an unexplainable, almost magical event
Read about a lawyer fighting against an unfair justice system
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I've always wanted to give knitting a try...maybe this book will finally give me the final kick I need to get into it! I see a lot of knitting videos on Instagram/Tik Tok and it always seems so soothing lol
This sounds so fascinating! reminds me the book where the author lived by the Bible for a year, or a year of saying yes.