Knit Two Book

It's been five years since Georgia walker died of cancer, leaving her daughter and friends to manage the knitting store. Knit Two picks up the dropped stitches and unfinished projects that are the lives of Georgia Walker's daughter Dakota, shop manager Peri, and friends of the Friday night Knitting Club: Catherine, Anita, KC, Darwin, and Lucie. Dakota's father James is now an active figure in her life as well as a friend and confidant of Catherine. Life has moved on for each of these dear friends of Georgia, yet for each and every one, there remains a lingering grief for the friend who meant so much to every one of them - for Dakota, most of all, as struggles to become an adult. Now a freshman at NYU, she seeks the freedom to seek her own path. James tries hard to be father he was never able to be while Georgia was alive, and although Dakota enjoy spending time with her dad, she also wants to establish her own identity and independence.

She's not the only one struggling with identity issues and change. Catherine, a divorcee in her 40s, still longs for the perfect relationship. Anita, on the other hand, has found the man of her dreams in Marty. The 78-year-old woman just can't settle on when and where to have the wedding. Finally, she admits that it is because the wedding cannot be complete without her estranged sister's presence.

Lucie and Darwin are learning the joys and frustrations of motherhood. Lucie must balance career, single-motherhood, and sharing responsiblities for an aged parent while Darwin finally gives in to her mother and mother-in-law to accept help with her newborn twins.

I, too, found myself missing Georgia. She seemed to be the glue the held everyone together. So the first third of the book felt a bit scattered to me while the author caught up to date with to the characters. Bit by bit, each woman seem to come to the conclusion that she needed to move on with her life and in that way honor Georgia. Oh there are plenty of missteps and regrets. Catherine, in particular, find herself taking a step forward and then step back before she gets herself untracked. To her surprise, she discovers that she is much more appreciated and well-liked than she ever thought possible.

Knit Two has humor. It has a romance. It has adolescent angst and midlife crisis; it has senior moments. It has adventures! It has sadness. It has happiness. Above all, it features the power and perseverance of female friendship.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars