It whispers; it sings; it rocks; and it howls. It expresses the voice of the folkmdash;the open road; freedom; protest and rebellion; youth and love. It is the acoustic guitar. And over the last five decades it has become a quintessential American icon. Because this musical instrument is significant to so manymdash;in ways that are emotional; cultural; and economicmdash;guitar making has experienced a renaissance in North America; both as a popular hobby and; for some; a way of life.In Guitar Makers; Kathryn Marie Dudley introduces us to builders of artisanal guitars; their place in the art world; and the specialized knowledge theyrsquo;ve developed. Drawing on in-depth interviews with members of the lutherie community; she finds that guitar making is a social movement with political implications. Guitars are not simply mademdash;they are born. Artisans listen to their wood; respond to its liveliness; and strive to endow each instrument with an unforgettable tone. Although professional luthiers work within a market society; Dudley observes that their overriding sentiment is passion and love of the craft. Guitar makers are not aiming for quick turnover or the low-cost reproduction of commodities but the creation of singular instruments with unique qualities; and face-to-face transactions between makers; buyers; and dealers are commonplace.In an era when technological change has pushed skilled artisanship to the margins of the global economy; and in the midst of a capitalist system that places a premium on ever faster and more efficient modes of commerce; Dudley shows us how artisanal guitar makers have carved out a unique world that operates on alternative; more humane; and ecologically sustainable terms.
#2430185 in eBooks 2014-10-23 2014-10-23File Name: B00NWJALBY
Review
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful. A Grand Book - One Every Sock Knitter Should OwnBy Fairbanks Reader - Bonnie BrodyI love to knit socks and I just love a good sock knitting book. I cant think of anyone who could do a better job with this book than Clara Parkes. Her past two books are winners and I look forward to her blog; Knitters Review; regularly. The book is a bible for anyone who knits socks or has wanted to try knitting them. It starts out with what a sock needs - lasting elasticity; brute strength; and moisture management. It then goes into Fiber Foundations - the language of sock fibers; protein fibers; silk; plant fibers; regenerated cellulose; and synthetic fibers. Then we come to the Yarns - Getting the right twist; singles; two plies; three plies; four and more plies; s-on-s cables; true cables; and core-spun. The knitter is then shown Stitch Tricks - Tricks for Elasticity and Tricks for Strength. Then come the wonderful patterns that Clara has put together and which Ill share with you a bit later. There is a section on Resources - Caring for Socks; Foot Length Tables; Materials Resources; Standard Yarn Weight System; and Recommended Reading. Last; but not least; is a section on the pattern designers.Common questions for the sock knitter are answered such as Nylon Reinforcement or not; what kind of toes should be knit; how do we get the right fit. Clara goes into tricks for making the best socks. My favorite one is the part on how to use ribbing for elasticity. As she says; "A well-wearing sock will hold snug to your foot; minimizing any slippage in the shoe; so that foot; sock and shoe can move as one."The patterns start out with the easiest and move on to the more advanced. My favorites are the following:Hickory designed by Jane Cochran. It looks a bit like a basketbeave pattern and is knit in a lovely red out of fingering-weight yarn.Firefly is designed by Jennifer Hagan. These are cabled socks; again in a red hue. The cables are separated by columns of purl stitches.Buddleia; designed by Marlaina Bird; is the type of sock Id love to knit but havent tried as yet. Its knit in classic white using size one needles. The yarn used is Yak; with 15% nylon for protection and strength.Veil of Roses is designed by Anne Hansol and are knit in silk and merino in a blue and yellow variegated colorway. The pattern is lace.I immediately fell in love with Jayme Stahls Isabella dEste orange lace socks with lace cuffs and stockinette feet. They are luscious.Kensington Socks are designed by Nancy Bush in a lovely off-white. She utilizes left and right crossing stitches; "the elaborate fine lines of lattice-filled diamonds; zigzagging columns; and overlapping cables - are all optical illusions created much more easily that youd think by using traveling stitches.Hummingbird is designed by Sandi Rosner and is for all the beautiful variegated colored yarn in your stash. Its lacy and and self-patterning.Both Ann Budd and Karen Alfke designed indestructible socks which are also aesthetic.The photos in the book are clear and the patterns are easy to read. Most of them utilize charts which are not my favorite way to read patterns but I know Im in the minority and its just a matter of time till Im turned around to a chart-user. This is a grand book; one every sock knitter should own. The resources are great and I know Ill be turning to this book again and again.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Ms. Parkes does it againBy FreshSharkEggsThis is a great informative book; just like all the other books by Ms. Parkes0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful book; bought as a gift for my knitter ...By No nameBeautiful book; bought as a gift for my knitter sister. She loves it.
