Neuloosi

Neuloosi, Tiina Mahlamäki, 2023, Kustannus Into.

Neuloosi – ”knitting addiction” – is an autobiographical and narrative non-fiction book on the many dimensions of knitting. The work examines knitting from perspectives including feminism, generation, community, class and religion. Simultaneously, the work describes the author’s own relationship to knitting at different life stages.

For a scholar of religion, knitting is as relevant a research topic as any practice that involves acting according to values, reflecting on ethical issues, building identity and community, respecting traditions, contributing to one’s own well-being or helping others.

Depending on the meaning the knitter gives to their work, knitting can be a religious, spiritual or secular activity. Throughout the ages, women have gathered together to meet and knit. It was seen as religious and Christian activity, part of missionary work.

For today’s knitters knitting could be a spiritual practice: mindfulness exercise or mental yoga. Or it can be seen as a completely secular, well-being enhancing hobby. It calms, reduces stress and helps manage depression or anxiety.

Neuloosi tells the story of knitting on different levels: the private and the public, the historical and the contemporary.

Tiina Mahlamäki