Knit 2 Purl 2 Kill 2

by Erina Bridget Ring

Memoir: A caretaker's survival tale. When her mother's health begins to fail, Erina Bridget Ring searches for something to do during the hours she spends at her mother's bedside. What she discovers is knitting--and a group of women knitters. But as she learns to knit and at the same time cares for her ailing mother, she finds that things at the knitting group are not what they seem to be.

185 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2014

Reviews

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erina Bridget Ring has written an emotional, thought-provoking, intense, heart-breaking, and touching memoir. I appreciate how the author describes with compassion and dignity her relationship with her aging and ailing mother. Erina Bridget Ring and her husband Jack become caretakers for her mom, as she slowly deteriorates.

Between doctors visits, hospital stays, and family drama, Erina takes up knitting as a hobby. Erina soon has a stash of yarns in her garage and is trying to create new projects. As a beginning knitter, Erina depends on the local knitting stores for guidance and companionship when she has some time off. For some reason, these are quirky people, that seem to be "mean-spirited" to Erina. Often she is missing a piece of her work and is given the wrong pattern. Something certainly feels off.

 I can empathize with the author when I was a caretaker for my father and mother-in-law. It is a very difficult and heartbreaking task. I appreciate the strength, courage, and wit that Erina showed. I would highly recommend this memoir.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by this author. This book shows the hardships and heartbreak of being a caretaker for an elderly parent. Ring captures the feelings of what she went through both with her mother, and with the knitting group she joined, and shows how something small that happened years ago can affect how people react in the present. It was a totally unexpected ending, but did not disappoint.

[Bambi Rathman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a caretaker for an elderly parent is a challenge in and of itself. Throw in a group of mean, vindictive women and a crazy sister, you now have an unbelievable story of survival that Mrs. Ring went through.
This story is written from Mrs. Ring's heart. She had my heart yearning to be with her and to be her friend, to encourage, and to let her know how compassionate and caring she was through it all. She has such a caring and fabulous husband, Jack, who was her support, rock and champion.
Caring for her mom was difficult so finding a release in knitting seemed like a great idea....until a group of women knitters she was learning from, were beyond belief.
Not only is Mrs. Ring taking on the challenge of caring for her mom, a jealous and hostile group of women knitters, but in comes a sister who does such crazy and disruptive things, that chaos erupts concerning their mother.
This book took me into feelings and places that made my heart hurt. I had tears for what Mrs. Ring went through. My heart felt every emotional high and low she felt. I admire her for her determination and strength she found to overcome what seemed impossible at times. She says in this passage:
"I've learned a huge lesson, Jack. Bullies do come in the form of sixty-plus-year-old women. And I learned something else, too. I won't stop knitting, and I am not going to let those women destroy me. I've been looking for something, and that something was myself!"
This story is definitely one of survival through what was a very emotional and heart wrenching time. It's not easy to put your life out there like this but I am grateful for Mrs. Ring to write and share her story of coming out the other side better because of it.
This is a memoire of unbelievable events....written by a very caring and giving lady.
Thank you, Mrs. Ring, for the privilege of reading and reviewing your story.
Five stars for me!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knit 2, purl 2 kill 2
A Memoir..

A caretaker, Her life taking care of her mother at the end. Dealing with siblings. Sometimes things pull family's apart. But having Jack there was always a blessing..


Knitting was a bit of a life saver, for Bridget sometimes just needing something to help relax. Take the mind off things even if only for a bit... even when sometimes--- the knitting world people aren't who they Pretend to be.


My favorite part of this story was when Bridget, stood up for herself at the yarn store...
Love a person with a backbone.
But can still be a good person in the End.


This was a touching story. I'm happy I read this story. Thank you Bridget for sharing your story with us.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Dyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you looking for a quick read - you have found it! An Author's true story about taking care of her sick Mother, coping with deaths in the family, and trying to learn how to knit to give her something enjoyable to do - during her long hours at the care facility, and hopefully to interact with a knitting group. The story shows just how people can be cruel from jealousy and hearsay. It reminds us all to be kind to one another - because we don't know what other people are having to deal with in their personal lives. Erina, I am grateful that you didn't give us the sweater pattern!! Thank you for that! And for some reason I turned the last page - hoping to see the picture of your Mom with the knitted shawl and you standing behind her.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start this book you will not want to stop reading! The author faces challenges that include caregiving for her mother and dealing with less than supportive friendships during a time when she is trying to find comfort in learning how to knit. It is both an easy and enjoyable read, bringing up many emotions for the reader. Great book!

[Elaine Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story about the Author.
She was the caregiver for her mother. What a strong & forgiving lady.
Her husband stood with her thru the caregiving process.
I highly reccomend this great read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story about the Author being the caregiver of her sick mother. How does one cope with that as well as other deaths in the family.
She learns how to knit as a way to help with the stress. Who knew adult women could be as nasty and petty as teenage girls?
A story written from the heart.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional roller coaster.
Loved it .
I moved to SC to be close to my Parents as they got older.
Tough times, but so worth it to be here.

Please treasure the time you have with your family.

[Amanda Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erina showed tremendous bravery by sharing this painful, tumultuous part of her life and I could not believe what I was reading! It just goes to show that all families have skeletons in their closet, and that some people never stop being bullies. This was an incredibly interesting read, and went by quickly, and I felt honored to be part of Ring's family for a little while.

[Terry Longstreth crom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read for tge struggles if caeegivers

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about your parents growing older? Have you ever thought about caring for them? Maybe you have already been through it. Maybe you are taking care of them right now. Did/Do you think it would be easy?

Erina Ring takes us on her journey of caring for her mother. From her mom suffering from dementia, difficult family issues, being bullied by a group of women, she takes us on her journey with grace and humor. Ms Ring was so fortunate to have a wonderful caring husband, and finding a hobby to help get her through all the complications of her mother's care.

I am starting this process with my mother. Ms Ring is an inspiration, she dealt with all the complications with grace, humor and love. I highly recommend this book, in it you will find compassion, laughter, tears and love. Have some tissues ready.

[M.R · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an overall painful read, and really shows the danger of self publishing. If you replaced "knitting group" with "cheerleading squad" and "elderly mother" with "unfair chemistry teacher" you would have the diary of a fifteen year old girl. I don't think I've ever read a book with so many grammatical errors and pointless side stories. The character of Bridget is completely dull and one-dimensional, really no redeeming qualities there. Honestly, if she's as bad of a knitter as she is a writer, then I can understand why that knitting group didn't want to be around her!

I would NOT recommend this book to anyone. You are much better off spending your $6 elsewhere. Literally anywhere else.

[Carole Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I didn't realize it was a memoir. I found myself totally engrossed in Bridget, the caregiver of her Mom. There were three stories being told. The first two entwine with each other; care giving and family and the other about the hobby of knitting. There were times when I wanted to scream at some of the family ( one Sister, in particular ) and there were times that infuriated me with the knitting "friends"! It was a fast read because I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Through her written words, Erina Ring brought the events to life, so vividly, that I just wanted to give her a huge hug and tell her all will be ok. Keeping in mind that this was her first book, it was excellently written and I look forward to reading all of her books.

[Sharon Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 by Erina Bridget Ring. Her memoir parts the curtains on the toll caretaking takes on the caretaker. When her mother’s health descends into a drastic decline, Bridget is overwhelmed by the day-to-day care her mother requires and the responsibilities that follow. Seeking a way to ease the stress, Bridget takes up knitting and joins a local knitting group. Instead of a welcoming group, however, she finds herself in the midst of mean-spirited harpies. Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 provides an eye-opening look at the demands of caregiving, along with interesting insights into human nature.

[Karen Mcnicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of how one daughter tried to take care of her mother through the last year of her life and how others instead of helping just made it worse, not just "friends" but family. The hardest thing you can do is spend time with a loved one knowing they are not going to get better, you have to be there through the good moments as well as the bad, the very bad. This is a good book to read if you are going through or have gone through this. Thank you Erina Bridgett Ring for sharing this with us.

[Randy Braud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by this book. I read it one sitting (with a couple short breaks). I related to the story in two ways: 1) my wife was a caregiver and also from a family of seven siblings, and 2) with the character Jack as I tried my best to support and reason with my wife during her ordeals as a caregiver for both parents. The book shows how greed, jealousy and evil can surface within a family. I got a kick out of the knitting group. Bridget had far more patience with some of those “ladies” than they deserved.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knit 2, Purl 2, Kill 2 is my first book read by author Erina Bridget Ring and it will not be the last. It was one of those books that you don’t want to put down. It was a very quick read. You are drawn into the story from the first page with the authors’ descriptions you feel like you are right there with Bridget. Bridget is trying to find comfort in learning to knit helping her to deal with the challenges that include caregiving for her mother and dealing with less than supportive friendships. I can’t wait to read her other books.

[Patrick Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a quick read. It reviews the difficulties involved with caring for an elderly parent while maintaining a stable family life. There are surprises galore when dealing with family and the activity chosen by the author to assuage her grief and consternation at both the impending demise of her Mother and the complicated medical issues surrounding her care takes a surprise turn. Well worth the time and highly recommended! Patrick K. Ryan

[Melanie Falconer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always admire someone who writes a memoir. This is a story of a daughter caring for her mother at the end of her life. She takes up knitting as a way to meet new people and relieve stress. A lot of crazy things happen at the knitting shop. The author is a strong woman who perseveres through her trials and tribulations.

[Doreen Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a print edition I read. All I can say is WOW it was such a good read. Very eye opening and thought provoking. Was so angry at times and so sorrowful. I felt like I was right there going thru all of the drama and tragedy as it was happening and could relate to so much that was experienced. Highly recommend

[Donna Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bridget has written this book from her heart. During her darkest days when she was dealing with resistance from multiple situations, she found a passion in knitting that helped her survive. This book makes you angry at how cruel adults can be and yet, you can win over the challenges. There is enough humor written to keep the reader cheering.

[Connie Behrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. True story about the Author and taking care of her parents with little or no help from family. One sister even made things worse. Author joined a group to be taught knitting for a form of relaxation. These women are awful. They act like jealous school kids. Definitely bullies. Read and enjoy!

[Lynna Banning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very moved by this open and honest memoir; it is heart-wrenching and heart-warming and eye-opening all at the same time. A don't miss, especially if you have older parents or have ever had to care for one.

[Tami Perez buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read! I fall asleep reading all the time, not with this book! Read in 2 days. Loved the mention of local Napa areas. A book about life & death and the bruises we get. Absolutely loved Jack!

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! You don't want to put this book down. It is a easy read. Erina draws you into her story and makes you feel as though you are there. She is very descriptive with her writing I had a clear picture throughout the story. Can't wait to read her next book! Mary Jo jackson

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I'm not a caregiver, I could not put this down! Such a page turner! I cant imagine what it must've been like to be in Bridget's shoes! I recommend this book whether you're a caregiver or not. Definitely a must-read!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book. Even though it's been years since I was the caregiver, it made me feel as if I was not the only one dealing with crazy family, while dealing with the death of a loved one.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel so very much. It is a relaxing read, though the subject matter is serious. I love the author’s writing style. I felt like I was sitting down listening to a best friend tell her story. I cannot wait to read her other books.

[Kim Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true account of what life is like being a caregiver to an aging parent. It reflects the personal and sometimes heartbreaking moments of caring for a loved one. As if stress and exhaustion wasn't enough add mean people to the mix.