The review…
This is another book I read and read again. I know the ending, but I think it may go a different direction. Now, that I’m more of a knitter than when I first read this, it creates even more of the feels! My daughter read this book first, before she had kids, so that means it’s probably close to 20 years old (the actual book, not the publication date). It’s one of those books I read when I want to just relax and not think too hard. That makes it sound like it’s all fluff (kinda like the cover), but it isn’t. But, I digress.
The book review…
This book could probably be categorized as chick lit, but I think there’s more to it than that. There are two, maybe three, main characters in this book. Each one is different, and yet yarn and knitting weave them together (see what I did there). The primary character is Georgia who moved to New York City to escape her Midwestern roots. She hadn’t planned on opening a yarn shop and really didn’t have the money to do it. That’s when a second main character, Anita, comes in. Anita is an older woman who has always knitted. She knit sweater vests for her husband, Stan, before he died. And, Anita wears Chanel suits and has an apartment in downtown Manhattan so we know quite a bit about her, right? The third main character is Dakota, Georgia’s beautiful biracial daughter who is in her early teens in this book (yes, there’s a sequel). She bakes goodies for the club on Friday nights. Many times, they are experiments, but they’re always good ones! They all work together to create this warm, wonderful world of knitting.
The characters…
The book centers around a diverse group of women who come together at Georgia’s yarn shop, Walker & Daughter. Georgia didn’t intend to form a knitting club, but, as these things do, it formed rather organically. We meet Peri, who helps run the shop, K.C., Lucie, and Darwin. There are additional women who come and go on Friday nights, but we don’t get to meet them in the same way. Then, there’s Marty who runs the deli on the first floor of the building where Walker & Daughter is located. Marty’s a good guy…you’ll soon learn why.
The structure…
Every once in a while, there’s a page about creating something with yarn. I love that part because I can really relate to it. The book also has a few recipes because Dakota wants to be a baker when she grows up. This isn’t a dual timeline book, but we do, eventually, learn Georgia’s backstory. We learn about Dakota’s dad and why he’s not in the picture. We also learn about Cat, Georgia’s ex-best friend. Of course, she turns up in the book and has her own story line. Marty is Georgia’s landlord, but he’s so much more than that. He has an extra special plot line in a couple of ways!
The plot…
OK, without giving too much away, the plot is a little complicated because there are several. There’s Georgia’s plotline which, admittedly, takes up most of the book. Then, there is Anita’s plotline. As you could probably infer, Anita has money and lots of it. Her family is afraid she’s going to be duped out of her money, or they just want to make sure they get their inheritance, or they could be genuinely worried for her. I’ll let you decide. Then, each of the minor characters has their own itty bitty plot lines. Dakota’s plot line begins in this book, but you’ll have to read the sequel, Knit Two. It’s good but not as good as The Friday Night Knitting Club.
The setting…
Most of the book takes place in Georgia’s yarn shop though there are scenes in Marty’s deli as well as Anita’s apartment. Of course, Georgia and Dakota (and Cat who tags along) travel to Scotland to visit Georgia’s gran before she passes. I can’t remember if Dakota had met her before or not. I love that whole section of the book. It really is heartwarming and makes me crave scones and clotted cream!
My opinion…
Well, obviously, I love this book, or I wouldn’t keep reading it. I read it on the flight to Ireland a couple of years ago. As I said, I feel a deeper connection to it now that I knit more. There’s also a pattern for Georgia’s afghan. I keep meaning to knit it. Goodness knows I have enough yarn. Maybe, I’ll do that this winter. That seems like a good project.
The outfit…
This is one of the two Farm Rio skirts I purchased at Nordstrom when they were running some kind of bonus points extravaganza…not the NSale, though. There’s a matching top, but I usually like my skirts and tops to not match. So, I used the color wheel to help me out. The color opposite yellow is purple. Now, I know this is not the purple that would be exactly opposite this yellow on the color wheel. But, I thought the lavender was just right. It’s a nice delicate color to go with the delicate embroidery at the bottom of the skirt. Does it have pockets? No, it doesn’t. That wasn’t a deal breaker for me because the skirt is just so gorgeous! Oh, the linen tee is from J Crew. I bought this one and an olive green one.
The Lewk!
I just love these Miz Mooz Farrah blush flats and am so glad I bought them. They’re on sale right now in case you’re interested! I didn’t want too much to compete with my skirt so I wore this Grey Curved Circle necklace and a pair of Assuta Blush earrings from Sylca Designs. You won’t hear this from me very often, but, sometimes, less is more!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m not sure I conveyed the gist of this book very well. My book report skills are a bit rusty! I think almost all of you would like this book so I didn’t want to give away too much of the plot. It’s a charming book that will make you fall in love with the characters. So, can we talk? Do you enjoy books with dual timelines? Did I entice you to read this book? If you knit or crochet, what’s your favorite book about either of those? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA15, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post. I have now have a code for Tulip Clothing. Use the code, MARSHA20, for 20% off your order.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World . I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I now co-host Fashion Files with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa every Tuesday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Even though I don’t knit, I love the sound of the found family book.
And your skirt is lovely too!
That skirt is simply scrumptious. It’s my favourite colour and just love the cut outs – they’re lovely! I used to knit a lot and had quite a skill for it, but not anymore. But I do love quality wool products. Altogether it’s a great colour combo!