Amish Knitting Circle: Complete Series is Volume 1-10 of a continuing short story series. Granny Weaver is spinning wool and decides to start a knitting circle, believing the women on her heart would be stronger if spun together. She invites five women, all with various issues such as infertility, poor body image and marital problems and haunting secrets. As they come together from October to April to knit shawls for charity, they begin to deal with problems, together, the Amish way. Amish Knitting Circle: Complete Series includes: Beginnings ~ Granny Weaver starts the circle, and all the women have a reason not to come, but push back fears and eventually go. Wedding Season ~ Amish weddings are typically in November. The knitting circle women see happy newlyweds everywhere, but for two, it’s a painful season; one wishing she was married, another wishing she was not. Thanksgiving ~ The Amish celebrate this holiday, now that many work for the English (Non-Amish) and have the day off. The women reflect on all they’re thankful for… Snowflakes ~ December winds blow sparkling snowflakes everywhere and someone learns she’s a beautiful and unique as the ice crystals falling all around her. Christmas Cookies ~ It’s Christmas, and Granny Weaver is excited about the knitting circle’s Christmas cookie exchange. She’s comes to see these “Little Women” as her daughters, and along with that, the fretting heart of a mom. Old World Christmas ~ It’s STILL Christmas, as the Amish celebrate the season over twelve days, ending on January 6th, Old Christmas. It’s a day of fasting and reflection, remembering the arrival of the three kings who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Beauty for Ashes ~ It’s the end of January, and the knitting circle is meditating on the scripture; He gives us beauty for ashes... (Isaiah 61:3). One member is facing a terrible medical diagnosis; another needs counseling for damaged emotions. Wings to Fly ~ It’s a blustery February and the annual Audubon Backyard Bird Count is underway. What life lessons do feathered friends teach the women in the circle? Spun Together ~ It’s March and three weeks until Easter. Unity among church member must exist before this holy day, when they partake of communion and wash each other’s feet. But emotions are running high… New Beginnings ~ It’s Easter, but will it need to be postponed due to discord among church members? An early spring wedding is planned, or will there be two?
Wonderful Amish story that makes one truly believe in God directing their life!!! Helen E. Hevener Amish Literature Fans Karen Anna Vogel has given readers a realistic peek into Amish life, not sugar-coating or romanticizing it but allowing us to view this quaint, simple lifestyle as it truly is. Kathi Macias, award winning author of 35 books, including Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today.
Amish Knitting Circle is a wonderful book written by Karen Anna Vogel. I must admit I have had this book for awhile and it finally made it to the top of my the pile. After I started reading this book I wondered why I waited so long to read it. The author has definitely developed a wonderful cast of characters but I loved Granny the most. Such a strong independent Amish lady she is.
When Granny sets out to bring together a group of young Amish ladies together she needed a reason for them to gather. So that is when the Smicksburg Knitting Circle was formed. Each one of the ladies she invited into the group had some kind of problem that needed fixed. There was a young Amish wife who couldn't conceive a baby, another who thought she had a horrible body type, one who was being abused, and one who was sick but didn't know it. During their weekly gatherings and discussing personal problems things began to unravel and heal st the same time. Granny thought of each of these young ladies as a daughter because she only had boys. Granny had a lot of wise information that she wasn't ashamed to share with this group.
As you read this book and follow the lives of each lady you will discover that the Amish have many of the same problems as the English do. The road to help these young ladies is definitely filled with a lot of potholes. Can Granny really help all these ladies? How does Granny's husband, an elder in the church, help her.
I highly recommend this book to all those who are interested in the Amish genre. I enjoyed this book so much I will be moving on to the next one soon. I am always apprehensive when I read a new author for the first time but I will continue to read from this author.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. All opinions and statements expressed are strictly my own. I have rated this book with five stars for a wonderful beginning to a series.
Congratulations to Karen Anna Vogel for a wonderful story about the Amish. I am looking forward to the next book.
Amish Friends Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales One by Karen Anna Vogel Don't really read Amish books but this one is about knitting and I try to read everything I can on the subject. Love the cover and figured it'd be a good read. Like a lot of things about this book-learning about Amish community rules, how others help those in need, scriptures quoted and what they mean to those reading them, Double Blitz -actually went online to find out what it's all about-sounds fun, wedding traditions and things like when they can marry and what they wear. Am familiar with the community as we have traveled through Ohio and saw how they make cheese and other items. Love hearing of the knitting circle and how it comes about-wish there were knitting patterns. There are lots of recipes for food, some which I could probably substitute for healthier dietary needs and give them a try. There are so many people that are followed in this book-after a short while you are familiar with who is who and what they do. Like conflicts and successes. Book continues in the next story. Really like how modern technology comes to the rescue when needed.
Who knew that this was actually a collection of short stories. I thought that each book was a novel.I actually bought the complete series for my Nook, and am very glad. Had I bought just one book I would have been pretty put out--it really needs all of the chapter. This book tries hard to be like Jan Karon's Mitford series, but comes up short. The knitting circle tries to tie all the women together, but it is pretty lightly brushed over. This series deals with lots of issues, single parents, love and loss, aging, breast cancer, abuse, jealousy, conversion, adoption, and of course the Amish way of life. It was a fine quick read, but not spectacular. I did enjoy the "casting off prayers"--with the double-entendre of knitting and casting off your burdens.
Amish Knitting Circle (Smicksburg Tales #1)This is a wonderful book that encircles a group of Amish. It shares the hardships, questions, love, and the knitting that surrounds the people in the town of Smicksburg. Granny sets up a knitting circle of 5 very different individuals. One has low self-esteem, one cannot have a baby, one has eight children and is dealing with medical issues, one has questions of a past love and one wishing she could escape her marriage.
The stories tell how faith in God can help each other through difficult times, no matter what they are. This book was a blessing and an eye-opener to Amish life. I highly recommend it.
This book may be purchased at Amazon HERE
This book may be purchased at Barnes and Noble HERE
I liked this series! The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the volumes was too short! I like longer stories and none of the volumes was complete without all 10 volumes! I am going to try other books by Karen Anna Vogel.
Simplistic drivel,I don't know why anyone would want to read a book that even a 12 year old would find to unrealistic , unable to show what being Amish is really like in today's world.
Overwall I enjoyed this book, but it is not my favorite Amish story that I have read thus for. I knew it was a serial and that the stories would be told in snippets, much like serials in magazines. But there were a lot of inconsistencies in the story; not with the story itself but the characters and their personalities. It seemed like it changed from episode to episode. The one who remained the most consistent was Granny and even then there were a few moments where she acted in a way that was a complete 180 than what we expected. I also didn't like the initial introduction of Luke as I felt it was too cliched. He too had a 180 done on him as he was painted a villiain only to have a backstory that was more "developed" later. There were also a few other incidents where in the span of a few pages, Lizzie, went back and forth between Roman and Amos as romantic interests and seemed very fickle although there was a good reason for that. And with it being in episodes there wasn't enough time to really develop any of the stories fully without feeling like things were fully fleshed out.
Overall a decent book but not one I would read again nor am I interested in finishing the series. I do like how the threads that were introduced in this set of stories were resolved and there were no huge cliffhangers which is nice since I really dislike that in a book. So that was nice to have a resolution to this chapter in all these women's lives.
Granny is a wise Amish woman who has a burden for 5 younger women in her community. She starts a knitting circle inviting each of these women to knit with her for Amish women who lost everything in a tornado during the summer. And thus these women embark on a spiritual journey with the support of each other. A wonderful read with lots of spiritual incites as well as some Amish recipes after each section. I couldn't put it down!
A good Christian story about women getting together.
A very good story involving several people either related or close friends that formed a knitting circle. So many lives were changed during the discussion time and the women became very close. I enjoyed reading this and the author did a marvelous job of explaining the situations.
I loved how scriptures were used to be the focus of change in such a wide variety of situations. So many stories use a person's thoughts and emotions as that focus. Truly this book helped me see how much more I need to be in His Word and to be casting my concerns on the Lord.
Growing up on the outskirts of Lancaster Co, PA I feel a pull to the Amish community. I know what we read in the fiction books is not exactly true to how they live, but it sure is nice to get some glimpse of it. I feel a pull to the simple living lifestyle. Sometimes I wish I had been born into an Amish family.
I loved this book. It followed the lives of several character in a small town. I especially loved the recipes at the end of each section. The book told a great story of abuse, forgiveness and loving again.
What an enjoyable trip to a land where I met some of the nicest people. Then there were some quirky ones, some you needed to delve in to get to know them. I loved the town. The situations people got into and how they were helped along the way.
Wonderful book with great insight to the strong faith of the Amish. I loved the love and support shown, along with some confrontation of behaviors not allowed in the community. A definite must read for those that enjoy the genre.
Has to be at the top of the list of my all-time favorite A-fiction novels. Great story of lovable characters dealing with real world problems - and no cringy romance. The romance that is portrayed is believable and not over the top. I loved this book! Can't wait to read more of this dear sister's work!
A delightful book! Deborah “Granny” and Jeb visit their son and family in Holmes County. Sure she misses her knitting circle back home. With all the family drama, she starts a circle to help women cast their cares. Granny’s a miracle worker.
This is a wonderful book full of many conflicts and blessings learned through biblical lessons and a camaraderie of a circle of friends who knit together.
I have read a few Karen Anna Vogel novels and have not found one that I did not Love, Love, Love!
This novel covered loss, pain, love,abuse, adoption, marriage and tons of great recipes. I am not sure which one I will try first but I will try them all.
The part of knitting tied in with casting our burdens to the Lord and I think many can relate to the casting our burdens to the Lord but many that do not know the "knitting lingo" would not realize you cast off when knitting, I loved how it tied in with many of the Biblical ways not just the Amish but the Christian aspect as well. This book is a great read and I look forward to reading the next and the next novels of Karen's. Fast read when you have full time reading that I soon will have.
We met Granny Weaver who decides that she wants to do a knitting circle with a group of other Amish women to knit shawls for tornado victims of Joplin, Missouri. She handpicks the knitting circle of Amish women who are family and friends. These women are dealing with different issues in their lives. This book includes 2 recipes.
I enjoyed this short ebook and I look forward to reading the whole series! If you enjoy Amish stories and/or are a fan of Karen Anna Vogel then you will enjoy this series.
This is such a great book I enjoyed it very much enjoyed getting to know these people and that we really do need to depend on God helping us throughout our life . Also remembering we may be going thru something bad in our lives but there is always someone else who has it worse
I liked this book because it contains real life experiences. The characters learned to listen to those who knew God's Word, prayed for answers, and learned to trust God's answers.
I got this book free from Amazon this is a good book of a Amish life and how they live and their traditions . It draw me into the book right away.!! by the time I was done reading it I felt I knew the charters and their lives