I love to read and I don’t do it often enough. A couple months ago, Beckie handed me another book to read. I have to tell you that many of Bec’s selections are beyond me – she’s a much more sophisticated reader than I am and often reads things that I just don’t get. So when she handed me this book, it sat on my nightstand for a while…months, in fact. Every so often, I pretend to clean off my nightstand and really look at the books just sitting there. On the top of the pile of unread books I found A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss and Laughter by Rachel Herron. It looked like a quick read and I needed something to take with me while I sat in different doctor’s offices waiting to be seen. I also have to read whenever Ron and I are in the car together since his driving makes me crazy…but that’s another story…
A Life in Stitches is a memoir of Rachel’s life told in 20 lovely chapters. Each chapter is titled with a knitting term. For instance, the first chapter is “Casting On.” Through each chapter the reader is introduced to her family and loved ones – I so admire how honest she is about her relationships with her parents, sisters, her wife and her friends. I am so impressed by how passionate she is about writing and knitting. I love to craft and sew but I just never got around to learning how to knit. Now that I’ve read this book, I really feel that I HAVE to learn to knit.
When I picked up this book I thought it was going to be a cute little story – a quick read and something to keep my mind busy as Ron was racing down the freeway. I didn’t expect that this book would make me cry, but it did and it touched me deeply. The love she has for the people in her life and her fellow knitters is so heartwarming. Rachel strikes me as a very sweet person and a good friend to have. She reminds me a bit of one of my daughters. Since she lives in Oakland, I hope to meet her someday. She writes a knitting blog called Yarn-A-Go-Go – I intend to put it on my reading list.
I was sad when I got to the end of this book just like I am whenever I read something really good. So I did something about it. First I signed up for a knitting – crocheting class (it starts on Thursday!) and then I went to Amazon and ordered the rest of her books. I will let you know how I progress with class and the rest of Rachel’s books. Until then, I think you should read it...even if you don't know how to knit!
