Knitting Guru, Author Visits Tulsa

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A book premiere had people lining up outside a midtown Tulsa store Thursday.

The book tour is making two stops in the U.S. in Tulsa and New York is the other.

The best-selling author doesn't do thrillers or romance novels, but she's stitched together quite a following.

If you're not in the loop, many women say you're missing out on a growing trend.

The knitting circle has expanded to include girls and women of all ages, and many put aside their knitting needles for a night to line up for someone they call the best "darn" knitter in the craft.

"Sally is one of the foremost knitting instructors in the world," Loops owner Shelley Brander said.

Sally Melville and her daughter Caddy unveiled their new book, "Mother Daughter Knits," in Tulsa.

Dozens of knitting enthusiasts stopped in to get an autograph and talk pulls, purls and their passion.

"Knitting is huge with 30-year-olds," Melville said. "And of course it's big with me, 60-year-olds. So we're hitting both demographics."

Melville's new book is not only about the cross-generational nature of knitting but also knitting to fit your figure.

"We want garments to look good on the person for whom they're intended," Melville said. "So we figured out what those rules were so you don't just follow a pattern and look like Mrs. Doubtfire."      

The knitting guru is selling books and a lifestyle.

"It's very cheap entertainment that fills hours and hours," she said. "It's good for your brain, good for your body, good for your soul, great for your heart."