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Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance
Meredith established the Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters please) because it would be like having friends, only with her in charge, and because there would be no men. It comes as a nasty shock, then, when Luke, the handsome grandson of no-nonsense Edith, decides to stay and learn to crochet.
Claire has five children, which is why people sometimes look at her with mild concern. She longs for an Insta-perfect life like her online hero, Siobhan, but she’s drowning in domestic failure. She joins the Copeton craft group in the hope of making some non-virtual friends.
Yasmin is Muslim and proud. But sometimes it would be great if people stopped asking her about her hijab and instead asked who she thought was going to win MasterChef. Pregnant with her first child, she should be elated. So why can’t she stop panicking? Perhaps crocheting a set of baby clothes can get her in the right headspace.
With plans for a new mosque and the resettlement of refugees in the retirement village, Copeton becomes a breeding ground for Islamophobia. Together with the other members of the group, this small band of fibre-arts enthusiasts battle racism and bigotry with colour and creativity, but will the fragile threads of community be enough to bind them when more than one member has something to hide?
Claire has five children, which is why people sometimes look at her with mild concern. She longs for an Insta-perfect life like her online hero, Siobhan, but she’s drowning in domestic failure. She joins the Copeton craft group in the hope of making some non-virtual friends.
Yasmin is Muslim and proud. But sometimes it would be great if people stopped asking her about her hijab and instead asked who she thought was going to win MasterChef. Pregnant with her first child, she should be elated. So why can’t she stop panicking? Perhaps crocheting a set of baby clothes can get her in the right headspace.
With plans for a new mosque and the resettlement of refugees in the retirement village, Copeton becomes a breeding ground for Islamophobia. Together with the other members of the group, this small band of fibre-arts enthusiasts battle racism and bigotry with colour and creativity, but will the fragile threads of community be enough to bind them when more than one member has something to hide?
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Published January 1, 2023
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December 23, 2022
“When she crocheted, she didn’t have to think. Didn’t have to play scenes from the past on repeat, thinking of what she might have done differently. When Harper was creating, she could just be.”
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance is the first novel by Australian author, Kate Solly. Already an accomplished marketing manager, Meredith James decides to apply her organisational skills to starting a crochet group: Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters please). With a whiteboard, an agenda and lots of hooking experience to pass on, she can’t go wrong.
While Lottie is overly chatty, Meredith manages to keep most attendees following her agenda. But when Edith’s grandson, Luke decides to join in? Well, that wasn’t in the plan, Meredith definitely didn’t want any men in the group, but he’s paid his money and he seems interested and enthusiastic, so how can she turn him away?
Claire is grateful that her husband comes home early on those monthly Tuesday evenings: the break from their five young children is all the more relaxing when she’s crocheting, although she’s not sure how to interact sensitively with the lady in the hijab. “It was the rhythm she loved. Somehow, the steady building of stitches, the predictability of following a timeworn pattern, smoothed her tangled thoughts.”
Yasmin Malak’s mother taught her to crochet, and joining the group takes her anxious mind off her impending motherhood. “..the sight of the rich interplay of colours and the anticipation of the predictable repetition of stitches soothed her”. Omar may be a doctor, but they’re new at this. She so wishes her mother was here…
Meredith’s biggest challenge is a late joiner. Harper is an intense, spiky teenager, tattooed and mouthy, with expletives and objections to Meredith’s right to run things.
When Meredith tells them they need a group project, Lottie suggests welcome blankets for the Muslim refugees who will soon be housed in the vacant units in Copeton Gardens nursing home where she works. But both this Catholic church-funded initiative, and the proposed new mosque, stimulate vociferous objections from a right-wing group calling themselves the Union of Concerned Residents.
This small group of activists mounts a nasty harassment campaign that escalates to violence. What could the Copeton Crochet Collective possibly do about it?
Solly’s characters are appealing for all their very human flaws and insecurities: we’ve all met people like this, or might even be them. Her male characters, though, are the stuff of dreams and wishes: considerate, thoughtful, supportive. Her outer-Melbourne suburb is realistically depicted, and the issues her characters deal with are topical and relevant.
Readers can’t help being charmed by the group’s peaceful response to the harassment, while Luke’s beanie-making venture, Real Men Hook Their Own, is a delight. Claire’s Drawer of Shame will draw a laugh, Yasmin’s office kitchen politics are very amusing and her emails to her mother will tug at the heartstrings.
But most hilarious (and creative) is the group’s strategy in dealing with planned disruption of a peaceful vigil. This is a heart-warming, uplifting debut novel that will have readers eagerly anticipating more from Kate Solly.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Affirm Press.
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance is the first novel by Australian author, Kate Solly. Already an accomplished marketing manager, Meredith James decides to apply her organisational skills to starting a crochet group: Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters please). With a whiteboard, an agenda and lots of hooking experience to pass on, she can’t go wrong.
While Lottie is overly chatty, Meredith manages to keep most attendees following her agenda. But when Edith’s grandson, Luke decides to join in? Well, that wasn’t in the plan, Meredith definitely didn’t want any men in the group, but he’s paid his money and he seems interested and enthusiastic, so how can she turn him away?
Claire is grateful that her husband comes home early on those monthly Tuesday evenings: the break from their five young children is all the more relaxing when she’s crocheting, although she’s not sure how to interact sensitively with the lady in the hijab. “It was the rhythm she loved. Somehow, the steady building of stitches, the predictability of following a timeworn pattern, smoothed her tangled thoughts.”
Yasmin Malak’s mother taught her to crochet, and joining the group takes her anxious mind off her impending motherhood. “..the sight of the rich interplay of colours and the anticipation of the predictable repetition of stitches soothed her”. Omar may be a doctor, but they’re new at this. She so wishes her mother was here…
Meredith’s biggest challenge is a late joiner. Harper is an intense, spiky teenager, tattooed and mouthy, with expletives and objections to Meredith’s right to run things.
When Meredith tells them they need a group project, Lottie suggests welcome blankets for the Muslim refugees who will soon be housed in the vacant units in Copeton Gardens nursing home where she works. But both this Catholic church-funded initiative, and the proposed new mosque, stimulate vociferous objections from a right-wing group calling themselves the Union of Concerned Residents.
This small group of activists mounts a nasty harassment campaign that escalates to violence. What could the Copeton Crochet Collective possibly do about it?
Solly’s characters are appealing for all their very human flaws and insecurities: we’ve all met people like this, or might even be them. Her male characters, though, are the stuff of dreams and wishes: considerate, thoughtful, supportive. Her outer-Melbourne suburb is realistically depicted, and the issues her characters deal with are topical and relevant.
Readers can’t help being charmed by the group’s peaceful response to the harassment, while Luke’s beanie-making venture, Real Men Hook Their Own, is a delight. Claire’s Drawer of Shame will draw a laugh, Yasmin’s office kitchen politics are very amusing and her emails to her mother will tug at the heartstrings.
But most hilarious (and creative) is the group’s strategy in dealing with planned disruption of a peaceful vigil. This is a heart-warming, uplifting debut novel that will have readers eagerly anticipating more from Kate Solly.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Affirm Press.
November 22, 2023
4.5*
What a delightful read!
Five very different women - and one very gorgeous man - turn up to a new craft group established by the super-organised but socially awkward Meredith. As they admire each other's crochet work, teach and learn new skills and share their joys and frustrations, genuine bonds of friendship grow between them.
But trouble is brewing in their suburban fringe community of Copeton. Plans have been submitted for the construction of a mosque, and several residential units have been made available for new refugee families to move into. An anti-Islam group forms to protest the changes, disrupting the peace of the area and stirring up bad feeling. Then a mysterious yarn-bomber starts fighting back, in the most colourful and delightful way...
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance was just the book I needed to finish off my month's reading. It's deceptively light, while also delving into some pretty serious themes about xenophobia, privilege, acceptance (of oneself and others) and community. The ensemble cast of characters each deal with personal issues that will resonate with readers - grief, social anxiety, family pressures, seeking redemption and overcoming the snap judgments we make about others.
Now I REALLY, REALLY want to learn how to crochet...
What a delightful read!
Five very different women - and one very gorgeous man - turn up to a new craft group established by the super-organised but socially awkward Meredith. As they admire each other's crochet work, teach and learn new skills and share their joys and frustrations, genuine bonds of friendship grow between them.
But trouble is brewing in their suburban fringe community of Copeton. Plans have been submitted for the construction of a mosque, and several residential units have been made available for new refugee families to move into. An anti-Islam group forms to protest the changes, disrupting the peace of the area and stirring up bad feeling. Then a mysterious yarn-bomber starts fighting back, in the most colourful and delightful way...
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance was just the book I needed to finish off my month's reading. It's deceptively light, while also delving into some pretty serious themes about xenophobia, privilege, acceptance (of oneself and others) and community. The ensemble cast of characters each deal with personal issues that will resonate with readers - grief, social anxiety, family pressures, seeking redemption and overcoming the snap judgments we make about others.
Now I REALLY, REALLY want to learn how to crochet...
December 21, 2022
3.5★ for this charming read with hidden depths.
OK Kate Solly - you had me at crochet! Being a member of a community-based crochet group myself, I couldn't resist dipping into this debut novel, and I wasn't disappointed. With a nicely diverse cast of characters, some surprising plot directions and just enough crochet terminology to establish credibility as a genuine hooker (crochet hooker, that is), Kate Solly has written a book that made me smile in recognition, frown with empathy and have a good deep think about multiculturalism in our society.
Young, attractive and professionally successful, the one area that Meredith has always struggled with is social interactions. As a kind of substitute for friendship, she starts a crochet group (absolutely no knitters or men!) at her local Scout Hall. They will meet once per month, and if she can get everyone to stick to the agenda, they will benefit from her wealth of crochet knowledge and work on a group project.
Yasmin works for the local council. She's expecting her first child and missing her mum. She's also a bit sick of being expected to speak on behalf of all Muslims in a town where the new Mosque is causing division. She hasn't crocheted for a while, but thinks that making some baby clothes will help her prepare mentally for the new arrival.
Relatively new to Copeton, Claire is the mother of 5 young kids. She's struggling to fit in with the other school mums and feels guilty about all the unfinished crochet projects stashed away at home. Her husband brings home a flier about the new crochet group and she thinks this might be her chance to do something for herself and meet people with similar interests.
Lottie and Edith are also founding members of the group, but their characters are not quite so well-drawn as those first three. Then a little later, along comes Harper, a young, scowling, tattooed woman, to join the group. She doesn't seem to want to be there, and to be fair the others don't understand why she is there either.
The novel covers a lot - loneliness, extended grief, judgement - but by far the strongest thread is about racism, which comes from two directions. There is the Mosque, which I mentioned before, but also the proposed resettlement of refugees. I have to admit, some of this made me feel uncomfortable, but that's because I recognise the truth in it. Luckily Copeton has people like Yasmin and her husband Omar (born in Bendigo you know!) to be the voice of reason, even if they don't always want to.
There's also a little bit of romance and treachery along the way, just to keep things interesting.
This is a good, fun (mostly) read, that I'm happy to recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and Affirm Press for an advance copy to read and review.
OK Kate Solly - you had me at crochet! Being a member of a community-based crochet group myself, I couldn't resist dipping into this debut novel, and I wasn't disappointed. With a nicely diverse cast of characters, some surprising plot directions and just enough crochet terminology to establish credibility as a genuine hooker (crochet hooker, that is), Kate Solly has written a book that made me smile in recognition, frown with empathy and have a good deep think about multiculturalism in our society.
Young, attractive and professionally successful, the one area that Meredith has always struggled with is social interactions. As a kind of substitute for friendship, she starts a crochet group (absolutely no knitters or men!) at her local Scout Hall. They will meet once per month, and if she can get everyone to stick to the agenda, they will benefit from her wealth of crochet knowledge and work on a group project.
Yasmin works for the local council. She's expecting her first child and missing her mum. She's also a bit sick of being expected to speak on behalf of all Muslims in a town where the new Mosque is causing division. She hasn't crocheted for a while, but thinks that making some baby clothes will help her prepare mentally for the new arrival.
Relatively new to Copeton, Claire is the mother of 5 young kids. She's struggling to fit in with the other school mums and feels guilty about all the unfinished crochet projects stashed away at home. Her husband brings home a flier about the new crochet group and she thinks this might be her chance to do something for herself and meet people with similar interests.
Lottie and Edith are also founding members of the group, but their characters are not quite so well-drawn as those first three. Then a little later, along comes Harper, a young, scowling, tattooed woman, to join the group. She doesn't seem to want to be there, and to be fair the others don't understand why she is there either.
The novel covers a lot - loneliness, extended grief, judgement - but by far the strongest thread is about racism, which comes from two directions. There is the Mosque, which I mentioned before, but also the proposed resettlement of refugees. I have to admit, some of this made me feel uncomfortable, but that's because I recognise the truth in it. Luckily Copeton has people like Yasmin and her husband Omar (born in Bendigo you know!) to be the voice of reason, even if they don't always want to.
There's also a little bit of romance and treachery along the way, just to keep things interesting.
This is a good, fun (mostly) read, that I'm happy to recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and Affirm Press for an advance copy to read and review.
September 16, 2023
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Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate Solly. (2023).
Meredith established the Copeton Crochet Collective so it would be like having friends, but with her in charge and no men. But the handsome Luke, grandson of Edith, decides to learn crochet. Claire is there to escape her relentless children. Yasmin is there so she can have a normal conversation instead of talking about her hijab. When plans for a new mosque, the town is stirred and Islamophobia bubbles to the surface. The Crochet Collective becomes the Craft Resistance, as the motley crew begin to battle racism and bigotry with colour and creativity. But will the fragile threads of community be enough to bind them when more than one member has something to hide?
What a great debut novel for this author. This book is getting high reviews and it's easy to see why. The storyline covers some heavy concepts and yet is a really easy read you can fly through. With a mixed bag of characters, readers will find at least one person relatable in some way; the tightly wound Meredith, the frazzled mother Claire, the 'outsider' Yasmin, the no-nonsense elderly Edith, the handsome and kind Luke, the surly Harper, the friendly Lottie - it's a big cast of compelling characters. Who would have thought a storyline about crochet and racism would work so well and end up being a heart-warming feel-good read!
Overall: a fabulously engaging book and by the end, I felt the strong urge to learn crochet...
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate Solly. (2023).
Meredith established the Copeton Crochet Collective so it would be like having friends, but with her in charge and no men. But the handsome Luke, grandson of Edith, decides to learn crochet. Claire is there to escape her relentless children. Yasmin is there so she can have a normal conversation instead of talking about her hijab. When plans for a new mosque, the town is stirred and Islamophobia bubbles to the surface. The Crochet Collective becomes the Craft Resistance, as the motley crew begin to battle racism and bigotry with colour and creativity. But will the fragile threads of community be enough to bind them when more than one member has something to hide?
What a great debut novel for this author. This book is getting high reviews and it's easy to see why. The storyline covers some heavy concepts and yet is a really easy read you can fly through. With a mixed bag of characters, readers will find at least one person relatable in some way; the tightly wound Meredith, the frazzled mother Claire, the 'outsider' Yasmin, the no-nonsense elderly Edith, the handsome and kind Luke, the surly Harper, the friendly Lottie - it's a big cast of compelling characters. Who would have thought a storyline about crochet and racism would work so well and end up being a heart-warming feel-good read!
Overall: a fabulously engaging book and by the end, I felt the strong urge to learn crochet...
January 24, 2023
“When she crocheted, she didn’t have to think. Didn’t have to play scenes from the past on repeat, thinking of what she might have done differently. When Harper was creating, she could just be.”
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance is the first novel by Australian author, Kate Solly. The audio version is narrated by Rebecca Macauley. Already an accomplished marketing manager, Meredith James decides to apply her organisational skills to starting a crochet group: Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters please). With a whiteboard, an agenda and lots of hooking experience to pass on, she can’t go wrong.
While Lottie is overly chatty, Meredith manages to keep most attendees following her agenda. But when Edith’s grandson, Luke decides to join in? Well, that wasn’t in the plan, Meredith definitely didn’t want any men in the group, but he’s paid his money and he seems interested and enthusiastic, so how can she turn him away?
Claire is grateful that her husband comes home early on those monthly Tuesday evenings: the break from their five young children is all the more relaxing when she’s crocheting, although she’s not sure how to interact sensitively with the lady in the hijab. “It was the rhythm she loved. Somehow, the steady building of stitches, the predictability of following a timeworn pattern, smoothed her tangled thoughts.”
Yasmin Malak’s mother taught her to crochet, and joining the group takes her anxious mind off her impending motherhood. “..the sight of the rich interplay of colours and the anticipation of the predictable repetition of stitches soothed her”. Omar may be a doctor, but they’re new at this. She so wishes her mother was here…
Meredith’s biggest challenge is a late joiner. Harper is an intense, spiky teenager, tattooed and mouthy, with expletives and objections to Meredith’s right to run things.
When Meredith tells them they need a group project, Lottie suggests welcome blankets for the Muslim refugees who will soon be housed in the vacant units in Copeton Gardens nursing home where she works. But both this Catholic church-funded initiative, and the proposed new mosque, stimulate vociferous objections from a right-wing group calling themselves the Union of Concerned Residents.
This small group of activists mounts a nasty harassment campaign that escalates to violence. What could the Copeton Crochet Collective possibly do about it?
Solly’s characters are appealing for all their very human flaws and insecurities: we’ve all met people like this, or might even be them. Her male characters, though, are the stuff of dreams and wishes: considerate, thoughtful, supportive. Her outer-Melbourne suburb is realistically depicted, and the issues her characters deal with are topical and relevant.
Readers can’t help being charmed by the group’s peaceful response to the harassment, while Luke’s beanie-making venture, Real Men Hook Their Own, is a delight. Claire’s Drawer of Shame will draw a laugh, Yasmin’s office kitchen politics are very amusing and her emails to her mother will tug at the heartstrings.
But most hilarious (and creative) is the group’s strategy in dealing with planned disruption of a peaceful vigil. This is a heart-warming, uplifting debut novel that will have readers eagerly anticipating more from Kate Solly.
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance is the first novel by Australian author, Kate Solly. The audio version is narrated by Rebecca Macauley. Already an accomplished marketing manager, Meredith James decides to apply her organisational skills to starting a crochet group: Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters please). With a whiteboard, an agenda and lots of hooking experience to pass on, she can’t go wrong.
While Lottie is overly chatty, Meredith manages to keep most attendees following her agenda. But when Edith’s grandson, Luke decides to join in? Well, that wasn’t in the plan, Meredith definitely didn’t want any men in the group, but he’s paid his money and he seems interested and enthusiastic, so how can she turn him away?
Claire is grateful that her husband comes home early on those monthly Tuesday evenings: the break from their five young children is all the more relaxing when she’s crocheting, although she’s not sure how to interact sensitively with the lady in the hijab. “It was the rhythm she loved. Somehow, the steady building of stitches, the predictability of following a timeworn pattern, smoothed her tangled thoughts.”
Yasmin Malak’s mother taught her to crochet, and joining the group takes her anxious mind off her impending motherhood. “..the sight of the rich interplay of colours and the anticipation of the predictable repetition of stitches soothed her”. Omar may be a doctor, but they’re new at this. She so wishes her mother was here…
Meredith’s biggest challenge is a late joiner. Harper is an intense, spiky teenager, tattooed and mouthy, with expletives and objections to Meredith’s right to run things.
When Meredith tells them they need a group project, Lottie suggests welcome blankets for the Muslim refugees who will soon be housed in the vacant units in Copeton Gardens nursing home where she works. But both this Catholic church-funded initiative, and the proposed new mosque, stimulate vociferous objections from a right-wing group calling themselves the Union of Concerned Residents.
This small group of activists mounts a nasty harassment campaign that escalates to violence. What could the Copeton Crochet Collective possibly do about it?
Solly’s characters are appealing for all their very human flaws and insecurities: we’ve all met people like this, or might even be them. Her male characters, though, are the stuff of dreams and wishes: considerate, thoughtful, supportive. Her outer-Melbourne suburb is realistically depicted, and the issues her characters deal with are topical and relevant.
Readers can’t help being charmed by the group’s peaceful response to the harassment, while Luke’s beanie-making venture, Real Men Hook Their Own, is a delight. Claire’s Drawer of Shame will draw a laugh, Yasmin’s office kitchen politics are very amusing and her emails to her mother will tug at the heartstrings.
But most hilarious (and creative) is the group’s strategy in dealing with planned disruption of a peaceful vigil. This is a heart-warming, uplifting debut novel that will have readers eagerly anticipating more from Kate Solly.
February 19, 2025
An incredibly heartwarming craft-centred story, that tackles some difficult topics in an engaging and relatable way.
Excited to read more from Australian author Kate Solly!
Excited to read more from Australian author Kate Solly!
February 26, 2023
I'm not going to gush about the well-written plot, characters, and storyline, I'm going to dive in to the remarkably on point representation of the Muslim character. I absolutely love Yasmin and how she is written. She is quirky, strong, funny, fallible, cool, articulate, unapologetic, and trying to keep it all together. The mood she gives off is both reflective and goals, not only for Muslims but for so many of all faiths. She doesn't want to be shouldering the burden of representing an entire faith, nor is she only her religion. I love her comments, such as "You know how to Google, so go Google," "Muslims don't have a hive mind, don't ask us to speak for everyone," and yes she can flirt with her husband, and be scared to be a mom, and have mental health concerns, and be grieving, and be a hardcore crocheter too. I don't know how the author researched this character and the framing of her, but she did an outstanding job, it reads real and fleshed out and so so reflective of unapologetic Muslims who are trying to live their lives. I love the framing of some of the other characters being nervous around a Muslim, nervous to say the wrong thing, or come across a certain way. Yasmin doesn't know their thoughts, the reader does, and I love that as a result she treats them how she treats them, and readers can see what a little familiarity can do to break stereotypes. There are micro (and huge) aggressions in the book, but not all are dealt with or pushed back on, the book doesn't need to get preachy, the multiple characters "show" so much more than needs to be "told" and spelt out. The book is remarkably clean for an adult book. The characters read separate and you don't confuse them. Overall an enjoyable read, with likeable characters, introspection and timely themes: racism, friendship, creating something, and standing up for yourself, your friends, and what you believe in. It was a treat to be part of the sensitivity readers for this book, I hope it becomes widely available in North America.
January 12, 2023
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate Solly is a delightful, heartwarming book that will make you want to start crocheting (no knitters please!) 😂 While there is a serious message at the heart of the book about community, I enjoyed this as a lighthearted easy read with a fantastic cast of characters who I cared about straight away. 💛
Thanks to Netgalley and Affirm Press for sending this book for honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and Affirm Press for sending this book for honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 15, 2024
My (recently discovered) crocheting heart is full after finishing this delightful debut by Kate Solly! What's not to love? Crafting, community and connections. Harmonious relationships. An education in Islamic faith. Even yarn bombers fighting back at racism.
The Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters allowed!) was set up by housing development marketer Meredith as an experiment to make friends. (That's pretty sad in itself). At first glance, Meredith is a bit too much to handle, but under that brashness and bossiness, she's got a rare heart of gold. Joining her is busy mum of five Claire, proud Muslim and mum to be Yasmin, gran and grandson duo Edith and Luke, chatty Lottie and finally, troubled teen Harper.
Of course, teething problems are to be expected with a new venture especially when this bunch of strangers have nothing in common bar their crochet addiction. At the same time they're hooking yarn, discussions of a new mosque and housing for refugees is dividing the town. There's also another group meeting up regularly- Islamophobics who are causing trouble left, right and centre.
Quite suddenly, mysterious crocheted webs start popping up in defiance at those targeted sites. Obviously, the creator is a member of the CCC, but whom? The reveal will surprise you! Suddenly, the CCC becomes more than a quick getaway from life. They've finally reached a decision on a community project- to promote harmony and unity with yarn!
By far, my favourite character has to be Yasmin. As a Muslim, she's often at the mercy of awkward questions, stares and racist slurs. Still, Yasmin has a sarcastic sense of humour and a solid head on her shoulders, taking everything in her stride. She made me laugh out loud with some of her comebacks!! The love she has for her family can't be denied either. The protective warmth surrounds our Yasmin!
Kate Solly has crafted (see what I did there) a vibrant tale that teaches us a lot about ourselves. I can't wait to read whatever comes next!
4.75 🌟
The Copeton Crochet Collective (no knitters allowed!) was set up by housing development marketer Meredith as an experiment to make friends. (That's pretty sad in itself). At first glance, Meredith is a bit too much to handle, but under that brashness and bossiness, she's got a rare heart of gold. Joining her is busy mum of five Claire, proud Muslim and mum to be Yasmin, gran and grandson duo Edith and Luke, chatty Lottie and finally, troubled teen Harper.
Of course, teething problems are to be expected with a new venture especially when this bunch of strangers have nothing in common bar their crochet addiction. At the same time they're hooking yarn, discussions of a new mosque and housing for refugees is dividing the town. There's also another group meeting up regularly- Islamophobics who are causing trouble left, right and centre.
Quite suddenly, mysterious crocheted webs start popping up in defiance at those targeted sites. Obviously, the creator is a member of the CCC, but whom? The reveal will surprise you! Suddenly, the CCC becomes more than a quick getaway from life. They've finally reached a decision on a community project- to promote harmony and unity with yarn!
By far, my favourite character has to be Yasmin. As a Muslim, she's often at the mercy of awkward questions, stares and racist slurs. Still, Yasmin has a sarcastic sense of humour and a solid head on her shoulders, taking everything in her stride. She made me laugh out loud with some of her comebacks!! The love she has for her family can't be denied either. The protective warmth surrounds our Yasmin!
Kate Solly has crafted (see what I did there) a vibrant tale that teaches us a lot about ourselves. I can't wait to read whatever comes next!
4.75 🌟
April 7, 2023
I loved this debut novel from Kate Solly. Perhaps because I’m a crocheter myself, but I also loved the interactions between the characters. I didn’t identify particularly with any one character, but I could see bits of myself in several of them.
The story starts with Claire who has five children, one of whom is having a meltdown in Aldi, another of whom is dropping eggs from the grocery order, and Claire’s day suddenly gets even worse when she realises she can’t pay for said groceries because her purse is missing!! I felt sorry for Claire, and her 5 children creating chaos but I loved how she hid in the laundry to crochet(!), I felt sorry for Meredith and her uncertainty in social situations which lead her into rigid routines to help her cope, and Yasmin’s letters to her mum made me chuckle.
It’s a lovely feel-good story that I devoured in several days.
The story starts with Claire who has five children, one of whom is having a meltdown in Aldi, another of whom is dropping eggs from the grocery order, and Claire’s day suddenly gets even worse when she realises she can’t pay for said groceries because her purse is missing!! I felt sorry for Claire, and her 5 children creating chaos but I loved how she hid in the laundry to crochet(!), I felt sorry for Meredith and her uncertainty in social situations which lead her into rigid routines to help her cope, and Yasmin’s letters to her mum made me chuckle.
It’s a lovely feel-good story that I devoured in several days.
October 28, 2024
A história pode não ser um primor, mas a autora é muito boa em criar conexões com o leitor. Estou apegada com todos
February 13, 2023
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance is a delightful debut for Australian author, Kate Solly. Crochet and racism, specifically Islamophobia, might seem like a very unlikely thematic combination, but Kate Solly has pulled it off with aplomb. I wasn’t sure where this novel was initially headed, to be honest, if it was going to be about friendship and crafting or greater social issues, but in the end, it was about all that and then some.
I will confess, that while I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, some of the characters never really grew on me. Meredith was a hard one for me to pin down. Her lack of social skills didn’t mesh with being the head of a marketing department, which requires creativity and communication. Claire was a trainwreck. I have three children myself, all close in age, so I do appreciate the hectic younger years, yet her chaos was foreign to me, as was her naivety. Harper, I loved, along with Yasmin, Lottie, and Luke. Fortunately, with the changing of perspectives, any negative feelings about certain characters didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Key themes of acceptance and friendship underpin the more serious aspects of this story. I did really appreciate the collaborative crafting aspect. I am a crafter from way back and the community aspect of crafting together cannot be overstated. It’s also a wonderful basis for making lifelong friends. As far as debut novels go, this is a good one and will have wide appeal. There are some book club discussion points in the back of the novel if you are so inclined to make this your next book club pick. All in all, I can happily recommend this one as a great read. Four stars.
I will confess, that while I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, some of the characters never really grew on me. Meredith was a hard one for me to pin down. Her lack of social skills didn’t mesh with being the head of a marketing department, which requires creativity and communication. Claire was a trainwreck. I have three children myself, all close in age, so I do appreciate the hectic younger years, yet her chaos was foreign to me, as was her naivety. Harper, I loved, along with Yasmin, Lottie, and Luke. Fortunately, with the changing of perspectives, any negative feelings about certain characters didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Key themes of acceptance and friendship underpin the more serious aspects of this story. I did really appreciate the collaborative crafting aspect. I am a crafter from way back and the community aspect of crafting together cannot be overstated. It’s also a wonderful basis for making lifelong friends. As far as debut novels go, this is a good one and will have wide appeal. There are some book club discussion points in the back of the novel if you are so inclined to make this your next book club pick. All in all, I can happily recommend this one as a great read. Four stars.
February 14, 2023
Thank you Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
A forest relies on every species within to create a community that thrives and lasts, community builds respect and harmony.
The Copeton Crochet Collective represent a sociological cross section that have more than one passion.
Meredith bravely instigates the idea and successfully brings together a group of women to her new group.
To her dismay a man has joined and she needs to work through her issues as he is not leaving the group.
The demographic of the small group consists of older ladies, tired mothers, pregnant mums, single women, troubled girls and Luke.
Friendship firms as they indulge in what they love.
The under current of political, racial and personal issues like in any group brew.
Unsettling and discriminatory acts towards muslims and refugees is building momentum in the outer suburban community.
Fear and prejudice rife.
The group put their efforts into diffusing this tension and stopping the attacks. Solidarity mending fractures, unearthing secrets and building new bonds.
What a refreshing and well written read.
I enjoyed the mix of characters and particularly loved the back stories each brought and how they realistically represent elements of our community.
Humanity is strange at the best of times but as a collective people can make change and mould more positive futures.
An awesome debut for Kate.
A forest relies on every species within to create a community that thrives and lasts, community builds respect and harmony.
The Copeton Crochet Collective represent a sociological cross section that have more than one passion.
Meredith bravely instigates the idea and successfully brings together a group of women to her new group.
To her dismay a man has joined and she needs to work through her issues as he is not leaving the group.
The demographic of the small group consists of older ladies, tired mothers, pregnant mums, single women, troubled girls and Luke.
Friendship firms as they indulge in what they love.
The under current of political, racial and personal issues like in any group brew.
Unsettling and discriminatory acts towards muslims and refugees is building momentum in the outer suburban community.
Fear and prejudice rife.
The group put their efforts into diffusing this tension and stopping the attacks. Solidarity mending fractures, unearthing secrets and building new bonds.
What a refreshing and well written read.
I enjoyed the mix of characters and particularly loved the back stories each brought and how they realistically represent elements of our community.
Humanity is strange at the best of times but as a collective people can make change and mould more positive futures.
An awesome debut for Kate.
May 21, 2023
Gosh I just loved being a member of the Copeton Crochet Collective (even though I knitted my way through) this is such a delight of a novel; all the craft, community and connection…I loved it all so much. I also learnt so much about islamophobia, racism, judgment, unconscious bias, staging a resistance with wool…this is such a warm hug of a novel (and omg, a craft draw of shame, I feel SO seen..)
October 29, 2024
The good things about this story is that it has crochet in it and it was free on audible. This genre of cute, cosy band of misfits finding unlikely friendship, and in this case tackling racism head on through the power of crochet, is really not my cup of tea. Ok, I might like it occasionally but I’m going to be more discerning in future.
September 12, 2024
Little-known fact about me: I've been doing cross-stitch embroidery since I was a teenager! Yes, how astonishingly domestic and feminine of me, I know.
While this book is about crochet, not cross-stitching, I still LOVE it. A motley group of people - including an ex-con, a Muslim woman, a tired mom, and a lonely senior - come together, first to join a crochet circle, and then to do much more.
This book is so unexpectedly lovely - quirky and deep at the same time, delving into the characters' personal lives and challenges, while also bringing up an Islamophobia storyline in a *very* unique way.
I was a sensitivity reader for the book (the author is nonMuslim) and was blown away by how thoughtful and tender the story was! It's very different from my usual fiction-reading fare, but it's a book I'll definitely be holding onto.
5/5 🌟
#bookstagram #fiction #cozyreads #bookreview #Muslimrepresentation #crochet #community #weneeddiversebooks #mystery
While this book is about crochet, not cross-stitching, I still LOVE it. A motley group of people - including an ex-con, a Muslim woman, a tired mom, and a lonely senior - come together, first to join a crochet circle, and then to do much more.
This book is so unexpectedly lovely - quirky and deep at the same time, delving into the characters' personal lives and challenges, while also bringing up an Islamophobia storyline in a *very* unique way.
I was a sensitivity reader for the book (the author is nonMuslim) and was blown away by how thoughtful and tender the story was! It's very different from my usual fiction-reading fare, but it's a book I'll definitely be holding onto.
5/5 🌟
#bookstagram #fiction #cozyreads #bookreview #Muslimrepresentation #crochet #community #weneeddiversebooks #mystery
January 9, 2023
What a delightful book to begin 2023 with. Kate Solly is a new Aussie author and spins a lovely story about a very quirky group of people that come together with the theme of a Crochet Club.
The personalities of each of the members is very different and there were quite a few moments in the book which made me chuckle - including knitters not being allowed and there was also a cryptic crossword puzzle word as well. They all come together when as a group they fight against racism in the town - and tackle it with crochet!!
This is a perfect book to take away on your holiday and you will not stop turning those pages and will finish with a smile on your face.
Congratulations Kate Solly, we have a new author in our midst and I can't wait to see what comes next from her!
Many thanks to Affirm Press for a copy of this book for review purposes.
The personalities of each of the members is very different and there were quite a few moments in the book which made me chuckle - including knitters not being allowed and there was also a cryptic crossword puzzle word as well. They all come together when as a group they fight against racism in the town - and tackle it with crochet!!
This is a perfect book to take away on your holiday and you will not stop turning those pages and will finish with a smile on your face.
Congratulations Kate Solly, we have a new author in our midst and I can't wait to see what comes next from her!
Many thanks to Affirm Press for a copy of this book for review purposes.
August 8, 2023
The concept was lovely. It was a bit of a muddy read for the first few chapters. Sometimes it was 7 sections for 7 characters within a chapter. Other chapters were entirely or almost entirely from the perspective of one character. But even so, I still wanted to see where everyone ended up. There are some sweet moments, but generally it all felt a bit sappy. A nice read, but definitely a once-er.
February 3, 2023
A great yarn (pun intended)! Extra laughter stitches (pun intended) for me because I was crocheting while listening!
May 21, 2023
Lovely story, Kate! What a wonderful debut. :)
April 20, 2025
Loved this book. Extra points for Mentions of Anne of Green Gables and Charlotte’s Web.
“Mundanity is life. And anyway, glamour is an illusion.”
“Extroverts never think agendas are important. They’d rather just talk over everybody because that’s what works for them. Just like people who don’t wash their cups are more than happy to get by without a cleaning roster.”
And also
“I’ve scheduled opportunities for spontaneity throughout the agenda..”
“It’s not enough to say you’re hopeless at something. If you’re hopeless at something, you learn to do better.”
“So what if there was a fight? That’s just growth. That doesn’t mean the end.”
“Mundanity is life. And anyway, glamour is an illusion.”
“Extroverts never think agendas are important. They’d rather just talk over everybody because that’s what works for them. Just like people who don’t wash their cups are more than happy to get by without a cleaning roster.”
And also
“I’ve scheduled opportunities for spontaneity throughout the agenda..”
“It’s not enough to say you’re hopeless at something. If you’re hopeless at something, you learn to do better.”
“So what if there was a fight? That’s just growth. That doesn’t mean the end.”
April 29, 2024
Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate Solly is a delightful, heartwarming book that will make you want to start crocheting. While there is a serious message at the heart of the book about community, racism and Islamophobia, I also enjoyed the story as a lighthearted, easy read with a fantastic cast of characters who I cared about straight away.
January 18, 2023
What an absolutely delightful book.
I look forward to reading Kate’s next book whatever that will be.
This book was so funny in places and then heart breaking in others.
It was an easy read, just perfect for the holidays.
Congratulations on publishing your first book and for making it such an insightful book Kate.
I look forward to reading Kate’s next book whatever that will be.
This book was so funny in places and then heart breaking in others.
It was an easy read, just perfect for the holidays.
Congratulations on publishing your first book and for making it such an insightful book Kate.
December 12, 2022
As a keen crocheter when I saw the cover and read the first line of the synopsis I had to have this book and I wasn’t disappointed. Whilst there are some crochet in-jokes theres’s definitely plenty for everyone else. A heart warming story of the value of craft, it also explores a number of other topics- celebrating people’s differences, friendship, grief, motherhood, mental health, discrimination against those who have been to jail, refugees and Islamophobia in a thoughtful manner.
Set in the suburb of Copeton we get to know a cast of well-fleshed out and interesting characters. I particularly related to Claire, the mother of small children and found both Meredith and Yasmin’s story fascinating. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, seeing their interactions and learning that things may not be what the seem on the surface.
A solid debut novel that manages to mix humour with tough subject matters. I look forward to seeing what Kate Solly comes up with next. If you’re a fan of Sophie Green I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
Set in the suburb of Copeton we get to know a cast of well-fleshed out and interesting characters. I particularly related to Claire, the mother of small children and found both Meredith and Yasmin’s story fascinating. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, seeing their interactions and learning that things may not be what the seem on the surface.
A solid debut novel that manages to mix humour with tough subject matters. I look forward to seeing what Kate Solly comes up with next. If you’re a fan of Sophie Green I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
December 13, 2022
This book is so much more than it appears to be on the surface. The characters are believable and sympathetic and by the end of the book you want the best for everyone.
May 30, 2023
Ehh I thought this one would be a little bit of a risk for me, unfortunately, it didn't really pay off either. I found that despite the story being about crotchet and meeting a bunch of strangers once a week that would eventually become friends and begin to help each other, it didn't really keep me in the usual lull that a book does, my attention was else where when I was listening as if expecting something to jump out and really captivate me.
I see exactly the message the author was projecting into the story but it just didn't keep me connecte to the book, I'm not sure if it's because I read the audio version but it just didn't work, I did love that it was Australian though.
I see exactly the message the author was projecting into the story but it just didn't keep me connecte to the book, I'm not sure if it's because I read the audio version but it just didn't work, I did love that it was Australian though.
March 13, 2023
A lot to like about this book - what’s not to love about a gang of yarn bombers? A but too much information for my taste however I know that many readers enjoy the minute detail of people’s lives in this genre.
October 3, 2024
I started this as a palette cleanser thinking it would just be a nice easy read, and it absolutely was! But I didn’t expect to love the characters so much and for this to be such a beautiful book. I think this is up there with my favourites this year.
January 26, 2023
A cosy, easy read. Just what I needed.
January 29, 2023
Rather a delightful read. Craft - specifically crocheting, or which I am very fond- and the ability of a shared interest and the calming and meditative aspect of hand making items to create and nourish a supportive community. Nearly every crafter I know has learned to appreciate the community aspect of crafting together.
Added spice of dealing with social issues that impact so many, racism, intolerance, prejudice and working together to combat this.
Wry and quite humour in the writing.
A bit of silly rom-com snuck in there as the story built, but that didn’t detract too much for me.
A lovely light distraction read for me as a break from very serious non-fiction reads of late.
Added spice of dealing with social issues that impact so many, racism, intolerance, prejudice and working together to combat this.
Wry and quite humour in the writing.
A bit of silly rom-com snuck in there as the story built, but that didn’t detract too much for me.
A lovely light distraction read for me as a break from very serious non-fiction reads of late.
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