Scottie's life is changing, and not for the better. She feels like she's losing her best friend, Amanda, and her mom has morphed into the new It gi...
read full description
reviews
Dec 20, 2011
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com
Fifteen-year-old Scottie has trains roaring through her dreams at night, resulting in hours of early morning insomnia. It's been like this since Aunt Roz's funeral. To make it worse, she's begun to feel like a stranger in her own home-turned-art gallery. Her mother spends days in a trance creating bizarre paintings that have become the new "must-have" art, and her dad spends hours on the phone schmoozing potential buyers and s More...
Fifteen-year-old Scottie has trains roaring through her dreams at night, resulting in hours of early morning insomnia. It's been like this since Aunt Roz's funeral. To make it worse, she's begun to feel like a stranger in her own home-turned-art gallery. Her mother spends days in a trance creating bizarre paintings that have become the new "must-have" art, and her dad spends hours on the phone schmoozing potential buyers and s More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Dec 03, 2007
Sarah
rated it:
Scottie is a sophomore in high school who is going through a rough time—her favorite aunt in the world just died in a tragic accident, her parents act like they’re from another planet, and she and her best friend Amanda are no longer as close as they once were. She first encounters knitting while sitting shivah. After her aunt’s funeral, Scottie is watching the adults wander around sadly when her Aunt Lucille spots her and basically forces her to learn to how to knit. Scottie humors her (just
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Tiffany
rated it:
Let me tell you something: for me, yarn became less of an old-granny thing and more of a crafty-type thing a long time ago. I fondly remember the first knitted scarf that I started - and then kicked to the curb, never to be finished. I also remember the second unfinished scarf. And the third. But recently, I've been on somewhat of a yarn craze, thanks to craftgawker.com. And that makes me a little biased to Chicks With Sticks
I can't really tell if I really liked this book or not. More...
I can't really tell if I really liked this book or not. More...
May 01, 2010
Arianna
rated it: 
Claire gave me this book, and I loved her for thinking of me. And this book WAS a really cute teenage take on knitting. But...a lot of it annoyed me. I didn't love the writing, especially not the writing about knitting. The girls' problems were interesting ones to have, and definitely different than those of the Judy Blume books I read as a girl, but still...it was a frustrating book at times. But, I DO realize it was written for a teenaged crowd, and that is awesome. I like that knitting
More...
Dec 22, 2008
Elizabethesaurus
rated it: 
This book made me want to learn how to knit, and to wish that I'd had something like knitting to turn to in high school, and a store like KnitWit to go to. I'm just past my own cheesy teenage angst now, so I was able to go back to a place in my mind where it wasn't so cheesy at all.
I really liked the characters, and the pages just kept on turning, because it was fun and easy to read - but not easy in a dumbed-down way, because it was well-written.
It's nice to read a book in More...
I really liked the characters, and the pages just kept on turning, because it was fun and easy to read - but not easy in a dumbed-down way, because it was well-written.
It's nice to read a book in More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 24, 2008
Natalie
rated it:
I bought this for a buck at the Penguin sale and am really enjoying it. I bought another one but am now frustrated to find out I bought 1 and 3...
So far it is a cute book and an easy read. It's for teens and about teens, but I'm still enjoying it.
****
I asked Mom to look for #2 when she went so now I've got all 3.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Cheesy teen angst and all.
So far it is a cute book and an easy read. It's for teens and about teens, but I'm still enjoying it.
****
I asked Mom to look for #2 when she went so now I've got all 3.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Cheesy teen angst and all.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 28, 2010
Debbie
rated it: 
Eh. It was all right, I guess. I was expecting so much more from the hype I've heard about it. I found it rather shallow and not nearly as interesting and engrossing as it could be. Utterly forgettable.
ETA: You know what's really tacky? When authors or their supporters comment on negative reviews on a review site. This was a two-starred review. Now it's a one-star.
ETA: You know what's really tacky? When authors or their supporters comment on negative reviews on a review site. This was a two-starred review. Now it's a one-star.
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 03, 2009
Sandra
rated it:
This novel is one of those cute, fun, Meg Cabot kinds of young adult chick books—with a couple of serious issues thrown in to make the book meaningful. Scottie, a 10th grader, feels overlooked by her prominent artist mother, and now her BFF isn’t: she’s moving away from Scottie into the “popular” group. Then, by accident, Scottie discovers a local yarn store, a new pastime in knitting, and a friendship group that helps her deal with the uncertainties that come with adolescence. Serious issue
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 04, 2012
Karen
rated it:
Fans of The Traveling Pants series should really pick this one up. Scottie is the only daughter of a famous Chicago artist mother, and a father who is busy running the business side of his wife’s success. Scottie is grieving the loss of her beloved aunt and the apparent loss of her longtime friendship with Amanda, the trust fund diva who has left her for more wealthy friends. Scottie’s grandmother introduces her to knitting, an activity that calms her, brings her much-needed peaceful moments,
More...
Oct 04, 2011
Tina
rated it:
At its heart, this is a story about friendship. I can't say that there was anything remarkable about the friendships, but, truth be told, it's a book I recommend to teen readers because it's fun without a lot of swearing or sex or alcohol (yes, teens do enjoy reading books without these elements). For me, what I enjoyed most about this book was the knitting. I don't knit, but the descriptions of the yarn and the girls' interest in knitting appealed to the small creative side of me. I also ap
More...
Jan 21, 2011
This is one of my favorite books. I love the intense moments and thoughts. Like how he ex bff starts to talk to her all of the sudden again and wants her to out with her again. I an see why they stopped talking. They have like nothing in common. There's girly and in between tomboy amd girly. Which is confusing, I know. But also it kind ofakrs sense.
It's also mysterious that she just finds a blue ball of yarn and that she lives in a subway tunnel. I think it's so unr More...
It's also mysterious that she just finds a blue ball of yarn and that she lives in a subway tunnel. I think it's so unr More...
Dec 16, 2009
Kate
rated it:
I grabbed this book because of the premise (knitting teens!), but was very disappointed by it. There wasn't much plot and the characters were not sympathetic - the only thing worth reading about were the descriptions of yarn!
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 05, 2010
Deana
rated it:
This was another book I picked up on a whim. But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, although I don't have much to say about it now. The characters were more interesting than typical young adult fiction characters, and it was interesting to see the relationships between them change. Plus it has a lot of neat stories about knitting, and moving forward in life and... I just liked it. I'd consider purchasing it to read again sometime. Apparently it is also part of a series, so I'm planning to
More...
Sep 06, 2008
Kathy
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 09, 2008
Dawn
rated it:
Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "Chicks with Sticks: It's a Purl Thing"
— 2 years ago
WORTH CONSUMING!
Because I lost it. Shhhh…don’t tell Caitlin. She will kill me!
A story about "Chicks with Sticks: It's a Purl Thing"
— 2 years ago
WORTH CONSUMING!
Okay, I finished the KV book and I was ready for light and fluffy. This definitely fits the bill. It is a cute little teen novel that has knitting at its core. More...
— 2 years ago
WORTH CONSUMING!
Because I lost it. Shhhh…don’t tell Caitlin. She will kill me!
A story about "Chicks with Sticks: It's a Purl Thing"
— 2 years ago
WORTH CONSUMING!
Okay, I finished the KV book and I was ready for light and fluffy. This definitely fits the bill. It is a cute little teen novel that has knitting at its core. More...
Sep 26, 2009
Haley
rated it:
If I had to describe this book in three words they would all be "c" words: cute, comfy, and cozy. ALMOST cheesy, but in a good way.
The only thing is that I would've preffered 1st person, but I'm just picky.
Scottie has been suffering insomnia ever since her aunt died. When she picks up a granny, geeky hobby(knitting)- it turns out that it relaxes her, and a friend she feels like she's lost touch with. Soon, others also join their circle.
The only thing is that I would've preffered 1st person, but I'm just picky.
Scottie has been suffering insomnia ever since her aunt died. When she picks up a granny, geeky hobby(knitting)- it turns out that it relaxes her, and a friend she feels like she's lost touch with. Soon, others also join their circle.
Sep 11, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
My teen daughter and I listened to this mp3 that we checked out from the net library. Our own public library is part of this group so we didn't have to leave the house to check it out. She was home sick from school so we listened to the whole thing in 2 days. Basically a teen (parent,friend,HS problems) story but with the added fun of all the knitting/yarn stuff. It was perfect for just vegging on the couch. I crochet tho, not knit......
Jan 25, 2009
Katie
rated it:
Chicks with Sticks is an excellent book! Its very much a teen book that any girl could relate to. After I read this book the characters and their knitting reminded me of al the knitting stuff I had gotten three Christmases ago! Now I knit a lot and have forgotten about how its actually really fun. Another thing I love about this book is that it just goes to show one small thing can bring very different people together!
Jul 18, 2010
Maureen
rated it:
Just finished this book today. It was cute. Kinda took me back to my Beverly Cleary days or Judy Blume. Though it's a bit more sophisticated than that. It did pull me in enough to move on to book 2. I will be starting that tonight. It was nice to read a novel centered around knitting written for teens. Its a nod to the craft of knitting and how far it has come. Kniting now is even cool enough for teen girls to embrace.
Oct 24, 2009
Alexis
rated it:
Many people made fun of me while I was wlking around with this book. They wouls say "who reads a book about knitting?" This book is sooo much more than knitting. These four friends are bound together by knitting. After reading it made me realize how special knitting can be. This book included a lot of sappy stuff which took away from how much i liked it but overall it was a pretty good storyl
THe author did not use very many big words but she used a lot of complex sentences. More...
Mar 07, 2009
Faith
rated it:
If you love to knit, READ THIS BOOK. But even if you don't know the first thing about knitting, you'll still love this book. There are even knitting patterns in the back for projects they discuss in the book. I just realized it's a series, so I look forward to reading the rest. I must warn you...reading this book may give you the urge to learn to knit. If so, call me. :)
Feb 20, 2010
Terri
rated it:
I'm still unsure if I liked this book or not. Amazingly enough 4 teenage girls picked up knitting needles one night and the next thing you know they are making huge blankets and complicated sweaters. Is it really that easy to do? A couple of women at work knit on a regular basis and I see them struggling and they have been knitting for a couple of years. That part distracted me from the story itself cause I didn't find it believable so I had problems investing myself in the story.
Jun 08, 2010
Bridget R.
rated it:
Scottie's having a hard time dealing with her aunt's death. Amanda's worried someone will find out about her learning disability. Bella is the school's resident hippie, all smiles, peasant skirts, and wheat grass juice. Tay is one of guys, resident tomboy. Problem is she's also crushing on one of the guys. Knitting brings these four girls together. They become knitters and friends.
What I thought: This book was a quick read and gives a new meaning to chick lit. Although I'm not a knit More...
What I thought: This book was a quick read and gives a new meaning to chick lit. Although I'm not a knit More...
Oct 09, 2009
Elisa
rated it:
This was a cute book with fun characters. However the language of these high school girls started to drive me crazy. Every other sentence there were taking the lords name in vain. And the main character would sometimes be bold and brave and then other times would be a total wimp but I guess some of us were that way during those years.
Aug 17, 2008
Tracy
rated it:
I picked this up because I've been into YA books recently, and, of course, the whole knitting thing. Reading it reminded me how hard it is to write for the YA audience and make it sound real and authentic and how people think and feel. This author didn't rise to that challenge. Trite. Simple. Stupid.
But actually, to be fair, I don't think any of the books I've read based around knitting have been all that good (Friday Night Knitting Club is one example. There was another that I didn' More...
But actually, to be fair, I don't think any of the books I've read based around knitting have been all that good (Friday Night Knitting Club is one example. There was another that I didn' More...
Jan 18, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
This book made me wish that I was a knit grrl. Alas - I did not knit when I was 14 and since I am now a multiple of that number - I fear that train has passed. Strangly my niece who is about the right age for this book - didn't care for it. I don't think she even finished it. I did - and I thought it was cute.
Apr 24, 2009
Susan
rated it:
I thought this book was cute. It is a teenage book I picked it up because I thought the title was cute and liked the fact there were patterns in the back of the book, plus it was less then 3 dollars! woohoo!
I would def recommend this book to middleschoolers or early teens that might like knitting. Its cute.
I would def recommend this book to middleschoolers or early teens that might like knitting. Its cute.
Jul 08, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I like the idea of a book about teen knitters and I really enjoyed that it's set in Chicago by someone who clearly actually knows the city. I liked all the characters well enough. But the plot moved incredibly slowly and the protagonist could get pretty whiny sometimes.
Apr 26, 2011
Jilane
rated it:
I am a crocheter, not a knitter. But after I read this book I wanted to go out and learn to knit. Four girls from very different backgrounds come together with the common bond of knitting. They help each other come to understand what is going on in their lives.
