Every knitter has a story

I started reading a book today, called The Knitting Circle,  by Ann Hood. I like a book that makes me think, and within the first 3 chapters (that's as far as I have gotten) I was asking myself a wonderful, deep thinking question.

What is it that makes each knitter, or crocheter, pick up the needles, or hooks, and yarn?

Every fiber worker has her, or his, story.

A grandmother spends lazy afternoons teaching a young child to knit, and they lost that Grandmother was laid to rest a few year later, they remember their Gran by knitting.

A mother of two picked up the craft when she was pregnant as a way to unwind, or a woman picks it up as a distraction, while trying to quit drinking, smoking or drugs... it busies their hands.

I picked it up because my sister had brain cancer. I learned to loom knit, and I told my sister that I would knit her a "real knit" hat, "like in the movies"...I promised to teach myself after Thanksgiving 2009. She passed away October 23, 2009. I kept my promise, and taught myself to knit that fall. I made hats and donated them to the children's ward at the local hospital, knitting until my fingers blistered and callused.

I picked up crochet because my Grandmother did it. I always loved the blankets and pillows in awful 70's colors with cheap acrylic yarn that she used to snuggle me up in. After Grandpa passed, she moved in with her daughter, and I never heard or saw her again.

She passed away a week ago. And while she didn't get to see me grow up, and I hadn't talk to her in years, I found myself picking up the hook, and just working each stitch and thinking of her voice as she taught me the stitches.

"Like building blocks in your life, the chain you create here will be the foundation of your project!"

What's your story?
 

Book Review: Needles and Pearls

A few days ago, I posted a review for Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil. Today, I am sharing with you my review of the sequel, Needles and Pearls.

You start out the read with all the same characters as you met and grew to love in Beach Street, but you find out more and more about them as this novel moves along. Some you grow to hate, some you grow to love even more. You get to watch the development of new babies, and the beginning of new romances, and new life. 

It's hard to do a review without giving away key plot points, and I usually don't like spoilers, especially not from books, so I'll cut this down. Read it, after you read Beach Street. It's a great Knit Lit, and will most definitely be added to my permanent book shelf.

 

Book Review: The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil

This book is a fun read. Easy, and very speech orientated. By that I mean it is written as the author might talk.

There is a bit of British language that you must wade through, but as it is based in the UK and written by an English woman, it is understandable.

Strong characters, that hold their own were a pleasure to read into. There is a considerable number of structural similarities to the "cast" of Friday Night Knitting Club but enough difference for it to be safely assumed that there was just a great bit of inspiration.

This holds a great story of a woman starting over, fresh, after tragedy. 

The book descriptor reads:

"Jo Mackenzie needs a fresh start. Newly widowed with two young sons, she leave London to take over her grandmother's wool shop, and finds unexpected friendships and romance. The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club is a warm and witty novel about the way one woman learns to deal with whatever life throws at her."

I was laughing by page 6, and had to reread several bits out loud to my husband who joined me in a good chuckle.

I look forward to reading through the sequel: Needles and Pearls by Gil McNeil