Knitting Under the Influence by Claire LaZebnik

• Title: Knitting Under the Influence
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Realistic Fiction/Chick Lit
  
• Format: Paperback, 416 pages
• Publisher: 5 Spot (September 1, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 0446697958
• ASIN: B000LP6724

"A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably."  ~William Penn

The book follows the lives of three very different woman who happen to be friends. One of their weekly rituals is to get together and knit while catching up with each others' lives and sharing advice. Katherine is the sibling of a pair of famous twin movie stars. Sari works at a clinic with children who suffer from autism. Lucy works at a research facility as a lab assistant where animal testing is common. Each woman is at a crossroads in their life in which things can continue along their current path, or take a chance and change things. This is a book about friendship, love, and relationships.

This book has mixed reviews, but I personally liked it. I loved the dynamics of the friendship. The romances were a little on the light side, but I don't think they were meant to be the primary focus of the book, the friendship was. As the story unravels (sorry couldn't resist a little yarn humor) we get to see the personality of each woman. We find out about their fears, insecurities, and a little about their families and past.

One of the fun things about this book is that in the back Claire has listed the recipes for several drinks with names such as Pink String Bikini, The Glittery Scarf,  and The Cozy Brown Afghan. I'm curious if the drink on the cover could be The Tangled Skein? 

So, what was the song that danced through my head with this one? The Beatles song  'With a Little Help from My Friends'.

Why the name 'Knitting Under the Influence'? Well one night while discussing Katherine's latest predicament, the trio gets a little tipsy and decide to knit. While their advice is sound, the next morning they find their knitting projects aren't quite up to par. Hence, the title 'Knitting Under the Influence'.

I gave this one 3 out of 5 roses.