Cozy, Comfy Read: The Friday Night Knitting Club

Late October in Southern Ontario is usually underpinned by blustery winds, frosty morning lawns, and grey evening skies. The leaves fall fast and steady for a couple of weeks, and then you know that the warm summer is over and 6 months of cold winter is on its way.

This is the time of year I enjoy pulling out the wooly sweaters and picking up a good, easy read to help me through the change of seasons. This year, that book was The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

This novel is not new; its been out since 2007, and has been touted as a New York Times bestseller. (what book isn't...seems like everything published is a NYT hit?!?)  Its the story of several women living in NYC, and it explores their connection to each other through the their weekly knitting club meeting.

There are many well drawn characters with their own quirks and foibles. Certainly Kate Jacobs does a great job fleshing them out. Maybe a little less convincing is the way the relationship of two old lovers comes together again (...maybe a bit to Hollywood.) Anyway, it's an easy read...we're not talking literary work and nothing too taxing. Enjoyable and I would recommend it if you've just come off a heavy read or you are under lots of stress at work!

Now, as a total aside from this novel:

Most women I know today have lost interest in knitting. It seems we are so busy rushing around that there is no time for creating woollens.  Rather than reach for the knitting bag, we reach for our laptops, iPhones or remote controls. A woman knitting is so uncommon.  Almost as uncommon, is the notion of a group of women getting together on a weekly basis to chat and share their lives with each other.

Here's why I loved this story. I believe in creating woollens...it's a traditional pass time and a tangible way to spend hours relaxing at home. I also believe in maintaining friendships with women throughout my life. My Wednesday mornings always involve a cup of coffee with my friends from the local mom's group in the village. Despite rain, shine, snow (and even political unrest) this group has been meeting up every Wednesday morning for 40 years, and by the looks of things, (and a little luck) it will run for another 40 years.

Now, I'm going to start convincing the girls to pull out the knitting needles (and crochet hooks cuz that's the new and cool thing to do!) Instead of comparing Apps on our iPhones at the hockey arena, we can compare crochet hooks and granny squares. BTW, there's NO APP FOR THAT!!! It might be a while before the girls come around to it. I'll let you know how it goes!

In the meantime, you can read this book and enjoy the warmth of female friendship. It was comforting.