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Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting
"Storytelling at its finest. "
-- Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humor
Sixteen-year-old ace knitter and equation wiz, Bliss Adair, runs the Help Desk at her parents' yarn store and has no difficulty solving the most challenging math problems. But she discovers that helping her friends isn't anything like fixing a knitting mistake or prepping for a math contest. Should she get involved when giving advice could get her into trouble? But what if she doesn't? And does the first rule of knitting - don't look too far ahead - always apply to life? For Bliss, coming of age means sorting out the complex threads of all sorts of situations in this contemporary read about friendships, mathematics, yarn, and love.
-- Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humor
Sixteen-year-old ace knitter and equation wiz, Bliss Adair, runs the Help Desk at her parents' yarn store and has no difficulty solving the most challenging math problems. But she discovers that helping her friends isn't anything like fixing a knitting mistake or prepping for a math contest. Should she get involved when giving advice could get her into trouble? But what if she doesn't? And does the first rule of knitting - don't look too far ahead - always apply to life? For Bliss, coming of age means sorting out the complex threads of all sorts of situations in this contemporary read about friendships, mathematics, yarn, and love.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
312 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2023
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 19, 2024
2024 reread:
I was decently endeared to this my first read through, and it is moderately cute, but there's something about Bliss that's mildly frustrating. She spends most of the book asking for advice she either doesn't follow or follows in a way that it backfires, and seems young for her age with her social interactions from time to time. Why was she so mean to Anderson in her internal dialogue when he's the nicest character in the book? Every time he shows up there's something nitpicking him or talking about how large he is, when he's supposed to be her best friend. I'm so confused about a lot of the relationship interactions in this, and how the story weaves together. The topic is cute, and there are a lot of interesting things going on, but the relationships are frustrating.
I was decently endeared to this my first read through, and it is moderately cute, but there's something about Bliss that's mildly frustrating. She spends most of the book asking for advice she either doesn't follow or follows in a way that it backfires, and seems young for her age with her social interactions from time to time. Why was she so mean to Anderson in her internal dialogue when he's the nicest character in the book? Every time he shows up there's something nitpicking him or talking about how large he is, when he's supposed to be her best friend. I'm so confused about a lot of the relationship interactions in this, and how the story weaves together. The topic is cute, and there are a lot of interesting things going on, but the relationships are frustrating.
August 3, 2024
Just wow.
I randomly picked this book at the library and I am so glad I did. It is NOT a cringe coming of age book where characters fall in love in 2 seconds, it is a great representation of how communication should work in every relationship and how sometimes, we feel overstimulated by everything and we don't know what to do. Great great book, strongly recommend, it made me reflect on how to reassure people. Sometimes giving solutions isn't the best idea and your presence can solve every problem...
Also.... it has such great fall vibes, cozy knitting with tea kind of vibes, read it in the fall guys!!!
I randomly picked this book at the library and I am so glad I did. It is NOT a cringe coming of age book where characters fall in love in 2 seconds, it is a great representation of how communication should work in every relationship and how sometimes, we feel overstimulated by everything and we don't know what to do. Great great book, strongly recommend, it made me reflect on how to reassure people. Sometimes giving solutions isn't the best idea and your presence can solve every problem...
Also.... it has such great fall vibes, cozy knitting with tea kind of vibes, read it in the fall guys!!!
November 24, 2023
A cute book bout a teenager trying to find her way through high school. She is extremely smart in math, a proficient knitter and a little bit more of an introvert with others. She has a close knit group of friends that understand her but she tries to help a newcomer to her group as a favour to a frequent patron to her parents knitting store. She overhears a conversation that will hurt someone she cares for and has to navigate friendship, love interests and loyalty. A quick read and a cute, fun little story.
January 15, 2024
All hail the introverted protagonist! In Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting, author Jean Mills gives a delightful glimpse into the busy mind of a quiet person. Bliss is a teen who loves knitting and math. The quiet one in her group, she is perceptive and observant. One night, seeking solace from a busy event, she overhears a conversation that could negatively impact someone in her circle. What to do?
Author Jean Mills nails the inner quandary anyone faced with a similar dilemma experiences. Is kindness more important than truth?
Author Jean Mills nails the inner quandary anyone faced with a similar dilemma experiences. Is kindness more important than truth?
July 27, 2025
Cute book, kind of a slice of life of a few months with a 16-year-old high school student in Canada. Bliss is an only child who loves math and knitting. She has two close friends and through the story gets to know two other people— a girl from another town who is pregnant and a popular boy. Bliss is preternaturally mature, always thinking about filling in conversation and making people feel comfortable. I think teenagers are usually more self-involved. But her parents have taught her customer service skills at their yarn store.
March 13, 2024
This book had the opportunity to be really good it just failed. I think the author should’ve written more and given more depth to a lot of situations instead of having the audience infer. Also why was it mentioned how fat Andersen was every time he was there? Unnecessary. 2.5 stars, I’d say. It was mid.
July 9, 2024
This took me a while to read. I think that the stated first rule of knitting threw me off kilter. You do need to look ahead in a pattern. I think it was trying to tell the reader not to borrow trouble.
I picked this up as I’m an avid knitter. Not the target teen audience. A teen knitter would probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.
I picked this up as I’m an avid knitter. Not the target teen audience. A teen knitter would probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.
November 2, 2023
Sweet but not sickly, with knitting thrown in! I enjoyed the character of Bliss and the way she set out to solve problems. A tiny bit of romance but still fine for this grown-up! And Bliss Adair is such a wonderful name.
November 15, 2023
Bliss is a wonderful character who is loyal, honest, and a good friend to all those around her. Mills writes with such precision, and has made Bliss's voice pitch perfect. This might be classified as a teen book, but adults will find it amusing, well-written, and just a joy to read.
May 13, 2025
Why was Bliss genuinely so mean to Andersen and also kind of Sydney in this story? Why did Bliss feel the need to constantly talk about Andersen's weight or Sydney's pregnancy. I wish they gave them both more attention. Other than that this was very cute and felt very cozy and real.
September 30, 2023
I've loved fiber arts as long as I can remember. It was a no-brainer to pick up the book with knitting in the title. This is a very sweet story, nothing too complicated and ends on a sweet note.
October 19, 2023
Doesn't rush to resolution. Like life.
September 2, 2024
I really enjoyed the combination of knitting and mathematics and how well they mesh.
December 31, 2024
Not bad, nice read, and I liked that the knitting patterns were included in the back.
May 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the big themes handled in a way that would be accessible to teens.
As a fat person, it was a little hard reading some of the descriptions of the character Anderson who is a fat, gay teen and one of Bliss's best friends. It was nice to see the love from Bliss toward her friend but she would often talk about how he was a sloppy eater or how big he was. She never thought about him without pointing out his size.
I certainly do not think it was intentional by the author. It felt intended to be loving but when referring to any of Bliss's other friends in the story, there were not nearly as many references to their physical appearance unless they were appropriate in that moment.
I don't think that people who are not fat will pick up on it the same way and I think my noticing it so much is more of a symptom of my experience in a fatphobic world. If this is something you are sensitive to, this may not be the book for you.
I also felt a little unsatisfied with the end. I rushed through this book and could not put it down and the end left me wanting more like there should be a sequel I could pick up to see what happens next. I guess as an author, having someone complain that it was over already is probably a good problem to have. :)
As a fat person, it was a little hard reading some of the descriptions of the character Anderson who is a fat, gay teen and one of Bliss's best friends. It was nice to see the love from Bliss toward her friend but she would often talk about how he was a sloppy eater or how big he was. She never thought about him without pointing out his size.
I certainly do not think it was intentional by the author. It felt intended to be loving but when referring to any of Bliss's other friends in the story, there were not nearly as many references to their physical appearance unless they were appropriate in that moment.
I don't think that people who are not fat will pick up on it the same way and I think my noticing it so much is more of a symptom of my experience in a fatphobic world. If this is something you are sensitive to, this may not be the book for you.
I also felt a little unsatisfied with the end. I rushed through this book and could not put it down and the end left me wanting more like there should be a sequel I could pick up to see what happens next. I guess as an author, having someone complain that it was over already is probably a good problem to have. :)
February 1, 2024
TL:DR - Knitting is fun, but fatphobia is not good.
I really wanted to like this book. The main character is a teen who likes math and knitting, and we follow her and her friend group through a few months of school. All of that is fine. She sounds like a mostly normal 16/17 year old, and the book is free of any red flags that would make it potentially too spicy for young teens.
But oh gracious the fatphobia. It is everywhere in this dang book. The main character's best friend is a guy named Anderson, and the first thing we learn about him is that he is fat. She talks about his "3X Large" shirts over and over again. Eventually, we also learn that Anderson is a good knitter, a great athlete, a good friend, and gay, but mostly we get reminded of how fat he is.
His size is only relevant when he tries out for the volleyball team, since many people don't assume he's athletic due to his size. But even in the 44th chapter, which is only 6 pages long, we get three references to Anderson's size: "But just as I step around Anderson's bulk to walk ahead..." (p. 242).
If it weren't for the fatphobia, this would be a solid 4 star book. Not awesome, but not bad and something I'd recommend to crafty or math-driven teens. As it is, though, I won't recommend this book.
I really wanted to like this book. The main character is a teen who likes math and knitting, and we follow her and her friend group through a few months of school. All of that is fine. She sounds like a mostly normal 16/17 year old, and the book is free of any red flags that would make it potentially too spicy for young teens.
But oh gracious the fatphobia. It is everywhere in this dang book. The main character's best friend is a guy named Anderson, and the first thing we learn about him is that he is fat. She talks about his "3X Large" shirts over and over again. Eventually, we also learn that Anderson is a good knitter, a great athlete, a good friend, and gay, but mostly we get reminded of how fat he is.
His size is only relevant when he tries out for the volleyball team, since many people don't assume he's athletic due to his size. But even in the 44th chapter, which is only 6 pages long, we get three references to Anderson's size: "But just as I step around Anderson's bulk to walk ahead..." (p. 242).
If it weren't for the fatphobia, this would be a solid 4 star book. Not awesome, but not bad and something I'd recommend to crafty or math-driven teens. As it is, though, I won't recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews