Stitches & Stories is a collaboration between Jo from The Bobbin Sisters (Backfold, Hay-on-Wye) and Jules at North Books. We thought a book group of crafters who sit and discuss books while they work alongside each other would be rather fun. Jo takes the credit for coming up with the textile-themed books.

The group meets on the third Thursday of every alternate month from 4pm to 6pm, and refreshments will be included.

Bring a stitching project with you and don’t forget to read the book in advance! See below.

JOIN THE CLUB

The book club meetings are seated events, so places are limited, and events can get pretty full. Please email Jules on jules@northbooks.co.uk or pop into The Bobbins Sisters (winter hours) to add your name to the list. Participation is free if the book is purchased in advance from North Books at a 10% discount.

At North Books, 4 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye on Thursday 15 February, 4–6pm.

THE BOOK

The Lace Weaver by Lauren Chater is the first book on S&S24 reading list

The first novel of 2024 up for discussion on Thursday 15 February is The Lace Weaver by Lauren Chater. This book is available from North Books now.

Set in 1941, Estonia. As Stalin’s brutal Red Army crushes everything in its path, Katarina Rebane is desperate to protect her grandmother’s precious legacy: the weaving of gossamer-fine shawls and the intricate lace patterns holding stories passed down through generations.

In Moscow, Lydia Volkova is suffocating in a prison of privilege, yearning for freedom and hoping to rediscover her beloved mother’s Baltic heritage.

As the battle for their homeland intensifies, these two women are caught in a fight for life, liberty and love.