Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco's High Atlas and Beyond by Irene Waggener

Follow Irene Waggener into the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco to learn about a knitting tradition that stretches back in time through generations - possibly to the very origins of the craft. In this collection of 7 essays and 13 patterns, readers are given a glimpse of life in a High Atlas village where knitting once played a key role in surviving harsh, snowy winters.

The knitting patterns in this book include traditional designs by shepherds who want to share their knowledge with other knitters and future generations. The patterns are presented alongside essays that provide the cultural and environmental context in which knitting was practiced in the High Atlas.

In addition, Irene’s research takes the reader backwards in time as she examines the history of knitting in Morocco and North Africa. Through historical accounts, linguistic clues, and museum artifacts - some of which have not been available to the general public until now - Irene presents a holistic view of knitting in North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Her research is accompanied by knitting patterns inspired by historical sources, bringing to life once again the skills of early North African knitters.

As requested by the shepherds who contributed to this book, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the women’s cooperative, Cooperative Ibilou. The cooperative will use these funds for community development projects that will benefit everyone in their village.

REVIEW:
Though I love to crochet, I confess my knitting has rarely been more than passable and so I bought Keepers of the Sheep for the stories and history of knitting in the High Atlas rather than in the hopes of recreating any of the projects. The essays that open each chapter are engaging and enlightening, and I love the detective work involved in tracking down the men who preserve this dying craft. Despite my lack of knitting skills, many of the patterns seem quite clear and easy to follow; certainly the photographs of the various projects make me want to give them a try! Highly recommend this interesting look at the history of knitting in the mountains of Morocco.

The Innocent Sleep by Karen Perry

Tangiers. Harry is preparing his wife's birthday dinner while she is still at work and their son, Dillon, is upstairs asleep in bed. Harry suddenly remembers that he's left Robin's gift at the café in town. It's only a five minute walk away and Dillon's so tricky to put down for the night, so Harry decides to run out on his own and fetch the present.

Disaster strikes. An earthquake hits, buildings crumble, people scream and run. Harry fights his way through the crowd to his house, only to find it razed to the ground. Dillon is presumed dead, though his body is never found.

Five years later, Harry and Robin have settled into a new kind of life after relocating to their native Dublin. Their grief will always be with them, but lately it feels as if they're ready for a new beginning. Harry's career as an artist is taking off and Robin has just realized that she's pregnant.

But when Harry gets a glimpse of Dillon on the crowded streets of Dublin, the past comes rushing back at both of them. Has Dillon been alive all these years? Or was what Harry saw just a figment of his guilt-ridden imagination?

REVIEW:
This wonderful story about a parent's ultimate despair is less a thriller, and more a portrait of a family suffering to overcome the loss of a child and the guilty knowledge that the loss was avoidable. I enjoyed the mixed narrators and the way they slowly reveal facts that explain the complicated reality of this troubled couple. The story is engrossing, especially as the threads begin to unravel. That said, I was ultimately unable to find it in myself to like Harry or to understand why Robin stays with him despite everything he has done. I also wouldn't consider it a thriller in the typical sense up until the very end despite the psychological tension. I would have given this 5 stars if not for the ending which felt both rushed and unsatisfying.