“Unraveling” by Peggy Orenstein: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Exploration of Life Through the Craft of Wool When life threw curveballs, Peggy Orensteinacclaimed author and witty observer of modern lifegrabbed some wool. Literally. In “Unraveling,” Orenstein embarks on a hilarious and deeply personal quest to create a sweater from scratch: shearing sheep, spinning yarn, and dyeing it naturally. What begins as a quirky project transforms into a profound exploration of grief, family, aging, and our relationship with the planet. Dive into Orenstein’s journey as she wrestles with unruly sheep, masters (and sometimes fails at) the art of spinning, and grapples with the complexities of natural dyes. Woven into this hands-on adventure are poignant reflections on the loss of her mother, the looming empty nest as her daughter heads to college, and the challenges of navigating middle age in a culture that often ignores women’s experiences. More than just a crafting memoir, “Unraveling” tackles big issues with Orenstein’s signature wit and intelligence. She delves into the ethics of fast fashion, the environmental impact of textile production, and the therapeutic power of working with one’s hands. Through her encounters with shepherds, spinners, and fellow fiber enthusiasts, she discovers a vibrant community of makers who are passionate about sustainability, tradition, and the beauty of imperfection. If you loved “Like Water for Chocolate” or “Eat, Pray, Love”, prepare to laugh, cry, and be inspired by “Unraveling.” It’s a captivating read for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges and sought solace in the simple act of creation. This Harper hardcover edition (2023) is a beautiful addition to any bookshelf and a thoughtful gift for the crafter, the thinker, or anyone seeking a meaningful connection with the world around them. ISBN: 9780063081727.
Unraveling: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World’s Ugliest Sweater
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Orenstein is such a breezy, funny writer, its easy to forget shes an important thinker too.People
In this lively, funny memoir, Peggy Orenstein sets out to make a sweater from scratchshearing, spinning, dyeing wooland in the process discovers how we find our deepest selves through craft. Orenstein spins a yarn that will appeal to everyone.
The COVID pandemic propelled many people to change their lives in ways large and small. Some adopted puppies. Others stress-baked. Peggy Orenstein, a lifelong knitter, went just a little further. To keep herself engaged and cope with a series of seismic shifts in family life, she set out to make a garment from the ground up: learning to shear sheep, spin and dye yarn, then knitting herself a sweater.
Orenstein hoped the project would help her process not just wool but her grief over the recent death of her mother and the decline of her dad, the impending departure of her college-bound daughter, and other thorny issues of aging as a woman in a culture that by turns ignores and disdains them. What she didnt expect was a journey into some of the major issues of our time: climate anxiety, racial justice, womens rights, the impact of technology, sustainability, and, ultimately, the meaning of home.
With her wry voice, sharp intelligence, and exuberant honesty, Orenstein shares her year-long journey as daughter, wife, mother, writer, and makerand teaches us all something about creativity and connection.
