A review by 600bars
Unflattening by Nick Sousanis

4.0

I got this book for kai in the summer and didn't get around to reading it until now. I thought it might be a good way to get back into reading since i have been preoccupied with knitting and can't seem to have more than 1 hobby at a time, but tbh this just made me want to knit/crochet some more! i've been feeling bad about my brain post-grad, like i'm not learning stuff like I was able to when it was structured out for me and that i've been in a very flat routine, but this just made me think about how i've still been exploring similar ideas and possibilities just with crafts instead of reading. (i'm sure plenty of people have already thought of this, but as a newbie to crocheting and knitting i am still full of wonder and excitement.) sousanis argues how comics are a cool format bc they combine the linear hierarchal nature of text with the rhizomatic limitless power of images, and that just reminds me of knitting/crocheting. these crafts have linearity and order because everything is constructed row by row, but the overall form of any project is basically limitless. + things like how a single stitch is always dependent on other stitches. it really is a kind of magic how string can turn into so many things. i'm sure there is also a book on this kind of thing, but I was feeling mind blown. so many of the illustrations depicted weaving or braiding or sewing, and so many explanations used words like woven, fabric, tangled, etc. i just love webs and nets and weaving and braiding, so it makes sense i would enjoy reading this book. i think it was a way more fun and accessible way to read theory