The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

 

I've had the The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood in my 'to be read' pile for almost four years now. I am glad that I finally listened to the unabridged audio version of this novel, which was well narrated by Hillary Huber.

Listening time for The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood is 9 hours, 50 minutes.

The Knitting Circle is the first novel I've read by author Ann Hood. I am a knitter (on hiatus currently), so I was initially drawn to this novel for the sheer fact that this novel focused on knitting, a knitting circle, and the restorative way in which knitting works as therapy for those dealing with loss, depression, and more. It's true that knitting can provide a source of comfort as well as build camaraderie among those in a knitting circle. I've read quite a few articles on the benefits of knitting itself... But I digress. 

In The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood, we find the main character of Mary Baxter in a deep state of grief over the loss of her young daughter, Stella, to meningitis. Mary is barely functioning beyond the basics. Her grief over the loss of her daughter is palpable. Essentially the grief is effecting Mary's daily life and her relationship with her husband and others. 

It isn't until Mary's mother urges her to take up knitting near the start of the novel, that Mary finally relents and takes up knitting reluctantly. From there we learn more about Mary throughout the rest of the novel and also about the rest of the knitters in the knitting circle she joins. Each person we meet that is part of the knitting circle is currently or has dealt with loss, grief, or adversity in some way and is some how helped by the restorative nature of learning to knit and communing with others in knitting as a group. 

By the end of The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood, we see every one of the characters in a new light. Mary has changed for the better... And we also discover the reason behind why Mary's mom was so distant with her throughout most of Mary's life.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood from Amazon:

After the loss of her only child, Mary Baxter finds herself unable to read or write, the activities that used to be her primary source of comfort. She reluctantly joins a knitting circle as a way to fill her lonely days―not knowing it will change her life. As they teach Mary new knitting techniques, the women in the circle also reveal their own secrets of loss, love, and hope. With time, Mary is finally able to tell her own story of grief, and in so doing finds the spark of life again.

I am giving The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post happy, reading!

Knitting My Other Hobby - Some of My Knitted Items @ the Alameda County Fair!!

Some of my blog readers may know that I am a knitter as well as an avid reader. I've been knitting for a little over 5 years now. This year, I decided to do something different and entered three of my knitted items to be displayed at the 2019 Alameda County Fair this year. I entered a hat, poncho, and a scarf with fringe.

I didn't win any ribbons for any of my handmade items I entered at the Alameda County Fair this year... And I'm fine with that! It was all about the experience of doing something new to me. 

I had a fabulous time viewing all of the crocheted, knitted, and other handmade items on display at the Alameda County Fair this past Friday with my husband.

Above is a photograph of me standing next to my blue knitted scarf with fringe. 

I am not posting photographs of the poncho or the matching hat I made as it was difficult to take a good shot of each item due to the way they were displayed.

Combining Hobbies... Reading and Knitting!

Here's what I've completed on the poncho I'm making for my mom.

I love reading and I love knitting. Both of these activities have become my favorite hobbies. In the past couple of years, I've found a way to combine by love of reading and knitting by listening to an audiobook while I knit! This way I can do both of my favorite hobbies at the same time. 

During the past week, I've been listening to the unabridged audio version of The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, while working on a drop stitch poncho I am knitting for my mom for Mother's Day. 

I decided to knit the poncho using worsted weight yarn in a solid lilac color that's a perfect color for spring. Plus, my mom wears a beautiful lilac nail lacquer during the spring and summer months that will go perfectly with the poncho I am knitting for her.

I've really enjoyed listening to an audiobook while knitting the poncho I'm making for my mom.

Have you found ways to combine your favorite hobbies together so that you can do them at the same time?

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by Alana Dakos

I read the deluxe edition of Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by Alana Dakos and illustrated by Neesha Hudson, which is a children's book about learning to knit and includes the hardback edition of the book, stickers, a puzzle, and a paper doll set based on the book.

I enjoyed reading this cute picture book geared towards children ages 4 and older. The story is about a little girl named,  Annie, who watches her mother knit and decides she wants to learn how to knit just like her mommy. Like any little girl, Annie is impatient as she wants to knit as fast as her mother does and have her projects come out perfectly. Annie also makes lots of mistakes while learning to knit and ends up giving up on knitting altogether. 

It isn't until Annie is at school one day and learns that her teacher wants each student to share a 'special talent' they have with the rest of the class. It's then that Annie decides she will finish knitting her scarf and share her 'special talent' to knit with the rest of the class. Annie's scarf isn't perfect by any means and has lots of holes in it. This makes the scarf look like it is a piece of Swiss Cheese. But with flaws and all, Annie's Swiss Cheese scarf looks delightful and is a huge hit with her teacher and her classmates. By the end of the book, Annie ends up teaching other students how to knit during recess.

I liked how Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by Alana Dakos shows perseverance, that things don't have to be perfect to turn out beautifully, and that learning new hobbies and skills takes practice before one can master them with ease and agility. These are all good messages to impart on young readers.

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by Alana Dakos is also beautifully illustrated by Neesha Hudson, which makes for a great read for young children.

If you are an avid reader and knitter and/or want to give a gift to a young reader and (hopefully) inspire them to want to learn to knit, then this book is a delightful read to share. It gives a lesson at the end of the book on how to knit, which makes for a great introduction to knitting.

There is also a FREE pattern online on how to make Annie's Swiss Cheese Scarf. So check out the pattern for the scarf by clicking on the link in the previous sentence!! Wouldn't it be fun to read the book to a child and then make the scarf together??

I am giving Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by Alana Dakos a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Alana Dakos --- Knitter, Knit Designer, Author, Business Owner, Knitting Instructor, & More!

Alana Dakos (left) + Me at A Yarn Less Raveled in Danville, California

I first became aware of Alana Dakos from her knitting podcast called Never Not Knitting along with her knitting blog of the same name last year or the year before.

I've since learned that Alana Dakos is a knitwear designer and has published five books about knitting. She has even ventured into the publishing arena and created her own publishing company, NNK Press.

Alana Dakos also has her very own yarn store named, Never Not Knitting, in Atascadero, California. 

Alana Dakos is also a knitting instructor and teaches classes at other yarn stores. In fact, she is teaching a few knitting classes at a local yarn store in Danville, California called A Yarn Less Raveled on Saturday, September 30, 2017 and Sunday, October 1, 2017.

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Alana Dakos in person at A Yarn Less Raveled (which is a lovely indie yarn store). Ms. Dakos was super friendly and sweet to meet in person. I enjoyed speaking with her. I also had Alana sign a copy of her knitting books, Botanical Knits: 12 Designs Inspired by Trees and Foliage and Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf. 

I look forward to making a few of her patterns when I become a better knitter!

Top Ten Tuesday --- Ten Reasons I Love Knitting!!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Aside from reading and anything book related, my other hobby and passion in life is KNITTING! I rarely talk about knitting here on my book blog, unless I'm talking about the books I've recently purchased about knitting or reviewing a knitting book I've read... I've also mentioned my knitting blog before and maybe knitting in a couple of other posts, otherwise, Captivated Reader, has been solely a bookish related blog. 

So, I thought it might be kind of fun to talk about my other favorite hobby, knitting, today and why I love it so much.

1. Learning New Skills/Techniques -- I initially began knitting in April 2014 because my New Year's Resolution that year had been to try something new... As in try a new hobby. 

I chose to learn knitting in 2014 as I'd always been fascinated by knitting. The idea of turning a skeins of yarn into something usable sounded like a lot of fun. I like being creative and making interesting and useful things. 

I initially wanted to learn how to knit years ago, but never got around to it. So, I took the plunge and decided to join a knitting class at a local yarn store. I thought I'd learn the basics of knitting, make a few easy projects for beginners, and then move on to another hobby...  I never expected to fall in love with knitting! Falling in love with knitting was a gradual process. It took me about 6 months before I fell head over heels with knitting. I love knitting because there always seems to be something new to learn, which makes it fun for me and keeps me interested in learning more.

2. Creative Outlet --- I love turning skeins of yarn into something special. The possibilities are endless... I can make socks, tea cozies, sweaters, shawls, gloves, scarves, hats, purses, skirts, jewelry, headbands, etc. all through knitting skeins of yarn... I can make things in different colors, with yarn made of different materials, using different patterns. As I mentioned already, the possibilities are endless... I enjoy the process of knitting as I like the creative process of knitting.

3. Turning Skeins of Yarn Into Something Special/Unique/Usable --- I am always thrilled to make something with skeins of yarn. I like seeing the completed project once I am finished knitting it. It makes me smile too see that I've created something that was once a ball of yarn. I like seeing my knitting improve over time. I like seeing that I could actually start and finish making what I thought was a difficult project at the time and seeing that it turned out well in the end despite making errors along the way. I also enjoy learning how to fix my mistakes, like dropped stitches, etc. I enjoy making knitted gifts for other people (mainly family and friends) and see them enjoying what I've made them.

4. The Health Benefits of Knitting --- Knitting is relaxing and it helps reduce stress!! Knitting has certainly helped me relax and decrease feelings of stress.

I love that I am learning new knitting techniques and completing many knitting projects over time. This gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I love see the finished project. Seeing myself master a new knitting technique only helps my confidence grow in becoming a better knitter!

Also giving handmade gifts for birthdays and holidays is awesome too, as friends and family members enjoy receiving handcrafted gifts as presents.

Knitting can also help prevent arthritis and tendinitis and even help reduce memory loss by up to 30%!! (See the following Sacramento Bee article about the health benefits of knitting).

5. Yarn --- Ah, the joys of YARN!! Yarn is the equivalent of books!! In my opinion, you can never have enough yarn (or books for that matter). I love visiting yarn stores and touching all the different kinds of yarn they have on hand. There are so many colors to choose from... You can buy wool yarn, alpaca yarn, acrylic yarn, silk yarn, cotton yarn, banana fiber yarn, yarn made from dog hair, and so on. And of course, yarn that is made in varying degrees of thickness. Alpaca yarn had become one of my new favorite yarns to use as it is very soft and warm.

6. Independent Yarn Stores --- Visiting independent yarn stores brings me joy. Visiting independent yarn stores is just as fun as visiting independent bookstores. It's difficult to leave yarn stores without buying more skeins/hanks of yarn, knitting needles, or other accessories.

7. The Knitting Community --- Knitters are a friendly bunch of folks and they are also very helpful in answering newbie questions and help problem solve on difficult projects. There's usually a group of knitters at local yarn stores knitting, so I find it fun to hang out at knitting stores and socializing when I can.

8. Knitting Accessories/Bling --- I love all the knitting bling made for knitters.... Everything from knitting needles, knitting bags/totes, stress relief gloves to t-shirts, mugs, etc. with humorous knitting quotes on them.

9. Knitting Podcasts --- There are several knitting podcasts out there for knitters to listen to and enjoy! I've only recently begun listening to the Never Not Knitting Podcast hosted by Alana Dakos. I've only listened to a few of these podcasts and look forward to listening to the entire series and also discovering new knitting podcasts. If you listen to knitting podcasts and have one you really enjoy listening to, please feel free to share the name of the knitting podcast with me in the comment section below.

10. Knitting Conventions --- Admittedly, I haven't been to a knitting convention yet, but there is an annual knitting/crochet convention near where I live that I'd love to attend next year. It's called Stitches West and it is located in San Jose, California. Stitches West sounds wickedly awesome as it offers a wide range classes for knitters and crocheters to participate in. Plus, a large marketplace where one can purchase yarn and other tools of the trade during there visit.

So, what are you passionate about???