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July 12, 2016 By admin 32 Comments

The Secret Stitch by C Jane Reid

The Secret Stitch by C Jane Reid is a historical fiction novel that traces the history of crochet, which is something we don’t see on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird often enough!Profile Pic

Jane’s visit came about by way of Laurinda Reddig, who has appeared on the program herself. The way Jane tells it and from what we know of her ourselves, Laurinda is quite the enabler!

It was actually Laurinda who taught Jane to crochet. Jane says she had been wanting to learn but confused by the difference in terminology between US and UK patterns. Between Laurinda’s help and Google, with lots of practice, Jane has actually progressed to where she can help with Laurinda test knitting the patterns she creates for publishing in magazine. Along the way, she’s also picked up knitting and she will pick up that craft when she needs a change from crochet. Over the ten years, they have become best friends that ‘spend too much time together’. It sounds, too, that even though Laurinda is left handed that’s not hampered Jane’s learning or there friendship whatsoever.

Jane’s career in writing began much earlier, in middle school she began as a poet. She admits that truly exceptional writers are those that have persue it their entire life. Sometimes inspiration comes from reading what others have written, and there was a book that she read that was not ready to walk away from when she reached ‘The End’. (She shared that it was the Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 1983. She also mentioned the books by Elizabeth Peters and Laurie King. Including those in case you’d like to add them to your summer reading list…) After a while, she outgrew writing based on someone else’s work and by college, took every creative writing class that she could get into. She says her genre was ‘Fantasy’ fiction, but while she tried short-story writing, found it unsatisfying because she could really go into the detail she needed in her writing. Then, family pursuits interrupts the literary until she met up with Laurinda Reddig.
C Jane Reid has worked alongside Laurinda Reddig, ‘falling into it’, with Monica Lowe, who hand carves crochet hooks (Craftwhich Creations), they have created kits that included Monica’s hooks, local hand-dyed yarns, Laurinda’s designs and a story from Jane. The kits FicStitches, themed on the story, with the pattern, yarn, crochet hook, with yearly sign-ups (pre-orders are now open) are quarterly shipped.
CJ Reid Secret StitchThe Secret Stitch is the beginning of a series C Jane Reid is creating called The Unraveling. She is very much a character driven author, she writes as if the character was telling the story, trying to keep up with the details, researching what would have been happening around, her character Ailee. A second book is coming out later this month, Elsie will be the character in that book, Jane says the character wasn’t completely truthful with the story so there was a major revision in that process. (If you peek at Jane’s newsletters, she is several books forward in the thinking, planning writing of subsequent books.) Adding the crochet elements is a result of her research, and becomes part of her American historical development as well.
The exciting thing for us is that Laurinda has created a book of patterns, to go with C Jane Reid’s book, The Secret Stitch, A Crochet Companion that includes 9 patterns. The shawl on front has really fascinated those that have seen it as it really does look knitted. Other items include a bag, hat and mitts with a cabled celtic knot (YES, crocheted).
C Jane Reid can be followed at her website: www.CJaneReid.com. She also has a Facebook page. In addition to the FicStitches link above, Laurinda has a website, too, she was unavailable today as she’s traveling to TKGA/CGOA happening in the next few days. She will have the books with her in the Hooked for Life booth, with MaryBeth Temple.

If you missed getting to hear this LIVE it is still available where it aired originally as an archived episode: 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/07/12/the-secret-stitch-by-c-jane-reid
 or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

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Filed Under: Show Notes Tagged With: books, crochet, show notes, shownotes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris Lopez says

    July 12, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    This was a fascinating show. Loved hearing how she got started and the other authors who influenced her. Will definitely have to check out her books and fall in love with Elsie!

    Reply
  2. Tammy L Barrett Todd says

    July 12, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    …todays podcast is brought to you by the letter ‘E’, Elise!… 🙂 (Sorry couldn’t resist)

    Reply
  3. Mindi Giles says

    July 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I absolutely love craft mysteries and books. This sounds like a treasure, I can’t wait to meet Elsie!

    Reply
  4. Thekla says

    July 12, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    So very interesting to hear how authors put books together.I am going to have to go find that book and read about Elise…so interested to see those patterns, as well.

    Reply
  5. Jessica Bennett says

    July 12, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    Was a very interesting show for a first time listener. Thank you! Can’t wait to hear about Elsie’s adventure!

    Reply
  6. Lauren says

    July 13, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Loved hearing about Elsie and can’t wait to read the book. It was a wonderful interview of the author Jane Reid !

    Reply
  7. Rachel Catherine says

    July 13, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    It was interesting to hear how Elsie, and Jane’s other characters speak to her. I love the fact that the book has a collection of patterns to go with it!

    Reply
  8. Trisha says

    July 13, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    It was interesting to learn how Jane started crocheting. I’ll have to check out the Elsie stories.

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    July 13, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    I enjoy relaxing with a good yarn about yarn whenever I get the chance. Elise sounds like a character I could follow for a great adventure. Thanks again for a wonderful podcast. Enjoy your time off. Come back happy and recharged.

    Reply
  10. Mary Helen Toal says

    July 13, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    As an avid reader and a crochet wannabe I think that Elsie’s story and companion pattern book are just what I need.

    Reply
  11. Mary Helen Toal says

    July 13, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    P.S. I also got a copy of my first Amelia Peabody novel.

    Reply
  12. Martha says

    July 13, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    can’t wait to read Elise’s story. I know how to crochet but haven’t done any in awhile, maybe this will get me back to hooking.

    Reply
  13. Ida Williamson says

    July 14, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Looking forward to meeting Elsie! Thanks for another great podcast 🙂

    Reply
  14. Gigi W says

    July 14, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    What a great podcast! I love your interviews! Elise sounds interesting! Thank you.

    Reply
  15. Vicki says

    July 14, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    I’m looking forward to reading Elsie’s story now that she’s talking with you. I find it fascinating that the characters somewhat take over and tell their story to you the author. I don’t think many of us non-writers realized that the characters do that. By non writers, I mean those of us that don’t do this professionally. It’s like a completely different level of writing.

    Reply
  16. Robin D says

    July 15, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Enjoyed the interview and loved hearing about the character development and Elsie’s tale. Thank you for a great interview that wasn’t just a straight knitting or crochet pattern book. Can’t wait to read the stories.

    Reply
  17. Renae says

    July 15, 2016 at 10:34 am

    This was a refreshing and surprising topic today=)!!…I love the historical fiction and crochet combo=)!! Can’t wait to read about Elsie’s adventures!!…

    Reply
  18. Kathy Mammenga says

    July 15, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    It was a treat listening to the connection between writing and crochet and how they work so well together. I can’t wait to read about Elsie and how she ties in to crochet.

    Reply
  19. Lorraine S. says

    July 15, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    I really enjoyed hearing this interview. I love historical fiction and can’t wait read The Secret Stitch and learning Elsie’s story. I think it’s great to have companion book with pattern also!

    Reply
  20. Laurie Gieck says

    July 16, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Loved hearing about Elsie and your inspiration for her story. You are combining two of my favorite things- reading and yarn crafts!

    Reply
  21. Debbie Austin says

    July 16, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I so loved this podcast!! What a wonderful idea putting knitting and a novel in a kit. Those are two things dear to my heart! I really enjoyed hearing about the ideas for future novels. I am googling this now!! I need to learn more about Elsie!!

    Reply
  22. bonniejane says

    July 18, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    What a nice interview and I am looking forward to meeting Elsie. Thank you for allowing me to learn about your writing.

    Reply
  23. Jill H. says

    July 18, 2016 at 5:57 pm

    I really enjoyed this interview and would love to read about Elsie and her other characters 🙂

    Reply
  24. Mary says

    July 19, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    This was fascinating! I can’t wait to read the book that is already out and to eventually get to learn about Elsie’s story and how it will tie in.

    Reply
  25. Kristina says

    July 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    I really enjoyed this episode! It was interesting listening to Jane – I also loved The Sword of Shannara, at around the same age that Jane said it captivated her. I am a huge fan of the Elizabeth Peters “Amelia Peabody” books and reread them whenever I get the chance. I’m excited to start reading a new, fiber related series and learn all about Elsie and her adventures!

    Reply
  26. France Tremblay-Goban says

    July 26, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Hi Marly!

    I love the podcast and listen to it as often as I can – I rarely miss an episode.

    I really like this episode and hearing about the author’s creative process and how her characters (including Elsie, of course) speak to her.

    Keep doing what you do!

    Reply
  27. Amberly says

    July 27, 2016 at 1:47 pm

    I can’t wait to hear Elsie’s story. I love the idea of crochet companion books!

    Reply
  28. Audrey says

    August 2, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Can’t wait to meet Elsie in your book!

    Reply
  29. Suzanne says

    August 2, 2016 at 10:05 am

    I am excited to meet Elsie!

    Reply
  30. Ashleigh Eden says

    August 5, 2016 at 9:13 am

    I love the whole concept behind the author’s writing! Excited to find out more about Elsie and her story 🙂

    Reply
  31. amy g says

    August 18, 2016 at 10:54 am

    This was a fascinating episode. Such a great idea to include a story with a knitting kit. I just read the first of the amelia peabody series at your recommendation and will definitely get The Secret Stitch if I don’t win it here. Also looking forward to reading about Elsie.

    Reply
  32. Missy Schmidt says

    September 1, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Omg! Yarn + a good book = Happy Missy!!! I want to get to know Elsie and can’t wait to go on adventures with her!!!

    Reply

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