Stitches & Stories is a collaboration between Jo from Bobbin Sisters Yarns 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 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 19 February, 4–6pm.

THE BOOK

A jolly Christmas gathering - the final book on S&S’s 2025 reading list was Jenny Colgan’s Close Knit

The first novel of 2026 up for discussion on Thursday 19 February is City of Silk by Glennis Virgo. This book is available from North Books at a 10% discount.

Set in Bologna, 1575. A talented seamstress. A powerful merchant.

A fierce battle of wills. Elena Morandi has gained a fragile foothold in a master tailor's workshop, despite the profession being barred to women. But then Antonio della Fontana, a powerful man from her past, crosses her path and threatens everything she has built.

Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and Elena knows all too well of his past abuses. Driven to fight for justice, she hatches a daring plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and his other victims. The sights, sounds and textures of Renaissance Italy are brought to vivid life in this breathtaking historical fiction debut.