Knitting The Words Together By Laura Frantz
Readers often ask what I’ve learned from writing 15 historical fiction novels. Many things, actually, but presently, handwork! I’ve been inspired by my knitting heroines since 2009 beginning with my debut, The Frontiersman’s Daughter. But it wasn’t until I met Sylvie Galant, the heroine in my upcoming novel, The Seamstress of Acadie, that I decided to make time for handwork. Though I’m not a seamstress, I found the research regarding handsewn garments of the past fascinating. Having had a grandmother who made my clothes as well as historical costumes, I have a deep appreciation for anyone who sews, especially those unsung seamstresses of old.
Since I don’t sew, I thought I’d try knitting. I confess to being a failed knitter. Years ago I attended a knitting class with my dear mom, watching in awe as needles flew, including hers. She’d been taught by an aunt at age 7 and though many years had passed since then, she picked it right up again. Only she didn’t enjoy it so set it aside. I was dismayed because I enjoyed it yet couldn’t seem to manage one stitch!
Fast forward to this fall when I read The Seamstress of Acadie a final time before it headed to the printers. After spending a year with my heroine, I observed several things about her fictional world that applies to real life. For Sylvie Galant, her handwork became her one constant in a world shattered by war, separation, and relocation. No matter her circumstances, her handwork was the one skill that could not be taken away from her and brought her comfort.
Knitting has many benefits. Here are just a few:
- Knitting creates beauty.
- Knitting creates calm.
- Knitting slows you down, narrows your focus, and frees you from distractions.
- Knitting has health benefits so you can stitch away stress!
- Knitting is a way to give back.
- Knitting stimulates the brain.
- Knitting boosts confidence.
Given this, I visited a nearby craft store for size 11 US knitting needles and yarn. Then I turned to Youtube.com for a basic beginning video with step by step instructions. Voila! Personally, I enjoy the feel of wooden knitting needles and delight in the abundance of beautiful yarn available. It’s rewarding to start small and create something like simple, practical dishcloths before moving on to baby blankets or more challenging projects. Once you advance you can even apply online through the National Yarn Council for certification and become a knitting instructor. Ravelry.com is also a wonderful resource for knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all stages.
Whether you’re knitting or not, I hope you take time for The Seamstress of Acadie and find my hand-working heroine inspiring.
Lastly, here are a few knitting quotes:
When you are knitting socks and sweaters, you aren’t just knitting. You are assigning a value to human efforts. You are holding back time. You are preserving the simple unchanging act of handwork. – Stephanie Pearl-McFee
A half-finished shawl left on the coffee table isn’t a mess. Its an object of art. – Stephanie Pearl-McFee
I love the way knitting brings people together. – Debbie Macomber
You know you knit too much when … You will check out a book from the library just because you heard that one of the characters knits. – Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
I find people interesting. People trying hard are interesting. People with a passion are interesting – whether it’s old cars or taxidermy or knitting. – Clare Balding
Here’s a quick look at Laura’s upcoming release:
The Seamstress of Acadie: ()
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.
