Casting Off is the debut novel by Nicole R. Dickson. There are many Aran stitches in the book and this forum is set up to collect photos of the patterns. Either stitches from the book or variations may be submitted. The picture must be a small max 5 mb in .jpeg format. Please include a brief discription (less than 100 words) of the stitch, your name, and your city/state(county)/country.
I’m very excited to see what will come to this blog.
Nicole
I just finished your book Casting Off. I love to read novels about knitting because they always get me in the mood to knit again. Since my grandparents were from Ireland and England this novel was really interesting to me. I loved the relationship of the people and wanted to move there to experience their lifestyle. I caught myself crying throughout the book and could barely finish it because I couldn’t see through all the tears. That is a sign of a wonderful read. Thank you.
Thank you, Bunny, for leaving this note! It is an incredible feeling to know that something I’ve written draws emotion. It means I shared a road with another soul for a while. That is what writing is all about for me. Thanks again.
Nicole
Just spent most of the night reading your book Casting Off. What a wonderful book! I’m a knitter and really appreciate reading a wonderful story that also gave me so much historical perspective on my favorite hobby.
The story line was meaningful to me as I’m making some major changes in my life and thinking through what I will be doing next. Your book gave me a lot to consider. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to your next novel!
Hi Peg… as I wrote it, I had to make some changes in my life, too. The one from the novel I am wrestling with now is letting go of children. College is such a strange time as a parent. I can’t tell if I’m coming or going.
Thank you for your thoughts.
N.
I am searching my house for 220 Aran Stitches. I have it somewhere and it will help me get some of these stitches on here. I also had 81 stitches I had come up with for the novel and need to review those I did not use. I’ll work on that over the next week.
Nicole
Thank you for such a wonderful tale. I was a bit hesitant to purchase – it seems as if there have been so many similar books – but your’s is delightfully unique and rewarding. As a male knitter I was happy to see that Sean was quite a knitter as well as a spinner and dyer. We just ret’d from a vacation in Nova Scotia and – as I always do – I visited all the local yarn shops. And, of course, I had to purchase the local yarns. In conversation I discovered that the schools provide knitting classes for both the girls and boys and that the boys are particularly excited about the challenging patterns similar to the ones you mention in your book. Knitting offers such incredible rewards – and your book only enhances those experiences. The island’s beauty, the song of the thistle thrush, the rocking of the waves, and the encompassing love of their community – and all those red-heads! I’m ready to move.
Hi Scott,
I loved writing Sean and have so much more of his history as his entire male line knit. Much of the patterns Rose and Liz tried to understand while sitting in church were actually Sean and his forefather’s work. It is very promising to hear that there is a place where boys as well as girls learn to knit. Historically, both had done and it is good that the lost art of men knitters is being supported.
I would like to say I was stuck at a place in the book. I rode the train to and from work and would generally write at that time. So it had been about a week and a half that nothing came to me and I was so depressed. Anyway, after a very trying day at work, I got on the train one night in a car I didn’t usually ride in, slumped in my seat, and just closed my eyes. A woman sat down in front of me, bumping me and when I opened my eyes, she said she was sorry and pulled out her knitting. It was a hat. So ironic. So I closed my eyes and the train started and all of the sudden I heard a man’s voice talking to this woman about the mistake she had made. When I opened my eyes again, I saw that he was showing her the error. Then he took the needles from her and proceeded to unknit to the place of her mistake. She then continued and he pulled out the pair of socks he was working on and I had the chapter, “Ripping Back”. I love that memory.
Thanks for the note and for bringing that memory back into my mind today. I much appreciate it.
Nicole
I picked up your book the other day because the tapestry of knitting, Ireland, friendship and love pulled me in. It is wonderful how the ganseys tell the story of love and family. How they entertwin the Island and the people there. Your book touched my heart and brought many memories of a recent trip to Ireland. Thank you for taking me to a place that reminded me to let go of the past and go forward. Looking forward to another journey wilth you in the future.
I could not put Casting Off down! I enjoy knitting even though I call myself a frustrated knitter. I read the book in a few days and was so sad to see the pages slip by. I loved how each chapter began with a definition or description of the stitches and set the stage for the action in the chapter. Knitting is a healing craft and it worked so well to tell the story of each character. A very satisfying read. I hope we will see more from Ms. Dickson.
Hi Sari,
Thanks for traveling with me! Hoping to do it again soon!
🙂
Nicole
Dear Frustrated Knitter,
Thank you for dropping a note here and so happy you like the book. A work of the hands does seem to help heal things. I think it is because the mind sets to idle as it focuses on creating something. Maybe.
Happy knitting and hoping you less frustration – ;-D
Nicole
Nicole – this book happened to fall in my lap – I think it was a sign! What a wonderful book – full of humor and sentiment. I cried at the cemetery scene. Loved all your characters – especially Fionn, Becky and Sean. It took me two days to reflect on this book and I still think about it. Can’t wait until your next book. To all who read – this book will last in your memories – happy reading!
Hi Debra,
I cried at the cemetary scene. Still do when thinking on it. So much time lost and never getting it back.That is hard to fathom.
Thanks for keeping the island in your mind. I consider myself successful because of that.
Much appreciated.
Love, love, LOVED this book! I could sit down and read it again right now. I don’t even know how I found it but I did and checked it out from the library. I couldn’t put it down & didn’t want it to end. When I returned it I raved to the librarian and I’ve been telling everyone that I just finished this wonderful book. Can’t wait to read more of your books.
Debra
PS – I too am a knitter altho not a very good one (a beginner).
PSS – I will probably go buy this book now just so I can pass it on to my friends!!
Hi Debra,
I’m not a very good knitter, either. Or purler. I’ve had one lesson from Cathy Finley in Penn so now, I am, I can say, somewhat of a bobbler…but just.
Can’t wait to finish the next book and have you read it!
Thanks for taking the time to send a note.
Just finished reading your book. Wow! One of the very best books I’ve ever read and I read alot. I am a knitter and enjoy books about knitting. But this was so much more. I was so involved with the characters in this book, that I have been walking around missing them since finishing. It was so moving, I laughed, I cried. Wonderful, wonderful read. Please keep writing. I too, am wrestling with college bound kids. It’s a strange time when you are no longer needed in the day-to-day life of your children. May we all make the adjustment gracefully. Thanks again for a wonderful book.
Hi Judy, Thanks for the note! I miss the island, too, though I have been wondering around with several other people in the Shenandoah lately. What a crossroad,huh? Children. College. You grow, you battle, you love, your life, and then they up and leave you….LOL. Quite a change, that. As my friend, Sue. taught me on another occasion, “Hard to slip those shoes on at first. Things get easier with time….well, so far a bit easier for me. A dull, aching pain in the vicinity of the heart but – easier.
Nicole, thank you for your wonderful, inspiring book. I loved every minute of reading it and laughed and cried with your characters. They are my new friends.
I have just retired after 42 years of teaching. Although, I look back with fond memories, this is a turning point in my life. A time to ‘cast off’ the working me and look ahead to days filled with new ventures. Having more time for family, friends, and myself.
I have started knitting again and have been reading books about knitting fiction and nonfiction. I am so happy that I picked up your book. I am sharing it with many friends who love knitting and reading.
Thanks again, and I look forward to your next book.
Hallo there Nicole! I, for one, am not a knitter, but I have a certain fondness for the Irish 😉 I have always wanted to visit there, and by chance, I found your book at a local book store. The thing that pulled me in was that the sweaters (ganseys) each told a story. In my eyes, a story is meant to be told and some stories are so intriguing, so deep… I immediately fell in love with the characters and the descriptions of the scenery. It makes me want to hop the first plane over! I loved the book so much that I purchased the audiobook, the narrator is awesome and I listen to it over and over again on the way to work. Each time, I learn something different. You are an amazing writer and I feel so priviledged to have read something so well written, so descriptive. Congrats and can’t wait to read more…!
truly,
Kris
Hi Kris, Sorry I hadn’t seen your note. Thank you for leaving it here and for your thoughtful comments. I am very honored the story touches you so. They did pick a fine narrator for the audio book. I couldn’t have even begun to try to bring voice to all those island people. :-).
Thanks again for spending time in my story,
Nicole
My best friend from high school was a librarian/book store owner/ B&N employee. Casting Off was the last book she sent me before she suddenly died. I have read your book 5 times already, and purchased it for several people since my personal copy is priceless to me. I read it when I’m happy and read it when I’m heartbroken. You have no idea how much it means to me for many reasons. While I am quite an experienced knitter, and and very familiar with most standard aran stitches, w.
hat I want to know is how to create Joe’s whales and Brenden’s footsteps and all the other beautifully described but unknown to me stitches. Please, if you have any idea about how to create those stitches it would mean so much to me.
Thank for your beautiful story, which is much more than a book to me.
Sincerely and gratefully,
Marilyn Howden Medina
Chad,
Great book. im 21… and my grandma had this book around the house… and ive decided to read it… VERY beautiful book, and beautifully written.. i say yeah, ** when i walk around new york i kind of imagine, the island around everywhere… feels safe, and makes a difference. im almost done reading it, but will be in my memories ever as well.
It is also a very comforting book, and is funny at points.
when i first started reading it the first chapter i was like dang, everything is going so quick lol, but over-all…
Amazing book ! *
Thanks for sharing. most credit-it to u. and ur readers. (likewise as myself)
..bye.
-Chad. 🙂
A most excellent book. Thank you for writing it. My favorite quote is, ” Our children begin with words, Claire. Every word that comes out of our mouth when talking to the wee ones makes them who they think themselves to be. ‘Tis from our words that their future takes shape.” “ONLY GOOD WORDS NEED FILL A CHILD’S EAR — AND GENTLE WARNINGS.” page 353
It is my most favorite piece of advice. I will quote you and put it on every card sent to welcome a new baby.
I really loved reading your words. Thank you again, diane
Nichole,
i am reading your book, required by a class I am taking. I am not a knitter, but want to now. I got a co-workerto read thisbook, she loved itsomuch and read it in a few days! Her kids are in their careers, mine are in chigh school.we shared a lot so far, I m looking forward toreading others of yours.
Thank you, Janice, for the note and for sharing the book. I’d be interested in knowing what class Casting Off was read in. And apologies for the tardy reply. I have sign on problems with this blog. Hope I finally ironed them out.
Thanks again!
No problem-I’m happy to see your comments too.
The class for Literature, (onl line). I aslo have to read Chocolat and compare. Both books, a priest, a dog and mom and daugter -interesting. I don’t remember how Chocolat ends, thou.
I can tell you, if I didn’t already my co-worker read because I raved about it and se loved it too.