Press Contact:

Tami Kelly
SWTC, Inc. PR
(925) 417-0343
tamismail@sbcglobal.net

March 15, 2007

Raffino seeks to rekindle “hope chest” tradition

A family’s long history is captured in every pattern
of the new Purls Forever knitting book

Tempe, AZ – Drawing on the knitting skills and patterns passed down through six generations of women in her family and collected in her “hope chest” throughout her young life, local knitter and author Jonelle Raffino has created a knitting pattern book unlike any other.

Not only is Purls Forever full of clear instructions for beginner-to-intermediate-level blankets, shawls, scarves and sweaters for babies through adults, each of the 18 patterns is accompanied by a heartfelt history and family photos showcasing that pattern. And the stories are so riveting that already even non-knitters are writing to thank the author for producing this book (see sidebar).

Published by Anezka Media of Cleveland, the 96-page Purls Forever retails for $19.95. It is available online at Amazon.com and at selected local yarn stores nationwide.

Each of the 18 patterns is an updated adaptation of an heirloom piece featured in the author’s historical reminiscences. Nona’s Baby Jacket with Hood, for example, is a tribute to her grandmother, Marianna Peri.  Jonelle received it on the birth of her first child in 1999, along with a stack of hand-knit blankets, sweaters and booties that her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother had begun creating and collecting in her hope chest long before Jonelle was even contemplating motherhood.
“I could see my grandmothers in my mind’s eye just then,” Jonelle writes. “I remembered them more clearly than I had in years and knew they were with us at that moment.  Perhaps the most powerful memory, though, was seeing my own mother hold her first grandchild in a blanket that she knit. It was her rite of passage too. She had become a Nonie.”

Skeins of yarn provide not only clothing but also a strong narrative thread spinning out Jonelle’s family history. “When I show these things to my daughters, I explain that this was made by my grandmother, who never knew them, but knew that they would exist some day. She made these for me so that I could tell them about her and pass on our family history to them.”

It is Jonelle’s hope that other knitters can use the patterns to knit similar bonds within their own families. “I hope we can teach the next generation about things that are made with love and care, how they need to be cherished and preserved for future generations. And,” she says wistfully, “I’d love to see the tradition of filling hope chests for our daughters revived.”

Jonelle lives in Gilbert, Ariz., with her husband Joe and two daughters.

- END -

Copyright © 2008 SWTC Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use - Privacy Policy