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Kitty Alvarado
Special to the Valley News

Friday, March 13th, 2009.
Issue 11, Volume 13.

Story Last Updated : Sep 10th.

Terri McClure has been smoking for over 30 years. She’s a server at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in Temecula, recognizable by her long blond hair, bright blue eyes and a pin that reads, "I Y Q". Today, instead of taking her usual smoke break, she took a trip to the place to buy what she’ll need to quit. So, is she using the patch, pill, gum, hypnosis? No. She’s going to knit. That’s right; Terri has decided her method of quitting will be knitting.

"I’m going to make scarves for all of my kids," says Terri, holding a blue and gray marbled ball of yarn in her hand. "My aunt told me this is how she quit and she used to smoke two and a half packs a day!"

In the evenings, Terri’s ritual is to sit on her front porch with a cup of coffee and a cigarette or two, admire the view and smoke a little more. This helps her unwind, she says. She figures that the size of the knitting needles are the same as a cigarette and that the knitting action will keep her hands busy.

When Debbie Advertisement
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Holve, owner of Daily Fiber Yarn Company, overheard our conversation, she joined in. "That’s how I quit smoking. Peggy, the knitting instructor here, taught me how. My first project was a scarf; you can do it!"

Holve admits, "There’s a part of me that misses smoking, but I knit instead."

Studies show that half of the people that try to quit smoking fail. Among the reasons it’s especially difficult for women: typically their weight increases after smoking is stopped and second, they have a tendency to look at a cigarette as a companion.

Terri says the reason she decided to quit is because her sister, who has smoked for years is, "very sick." She didn’t elaborate on it, but the look on her face said it all.

It seems Terri will have a built-in support group with the women at the Daily Fiber but can she do it? We’ll be giving you updates on her progress.

It’s been a little over a week. How’s Terri doing? See for yourself:

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.

 

13 comments


mj
Comment #1 | Friday, Mar 13, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Great story. Very descriptive of Terri. I wonder how many other people will now "knit to quit"???

Gabriel Galan
Comment #2 | Friday, Mar 13, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Awesome Story Kitty.

Wow
Comment #3 | Friday, Mar 13, 2009 at 9:47 pm
This is really news. 25 seconds of someone talking and we don't even get to see what she is knitting. hard hitting.

I give up
Comment #4 | Friday, Mar 13, 2009 at 9:50 pm
What does I Y Q mean?

Gigi
Comment #5 | Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 9:28 am
Great Story! Hopefully you will continue to track Terri's progress. She will be an example for many to follow. Good luck!

Ana Costa e Silva - Portugal
Comment #6 | Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I liked the story!
Wish her good luck!!

Donna
Comment #7 | Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 3:24 pm
A very good story, Kitty. And what a great idea for quitting smoking -- I am sure it will work.

Eduardo Quezada
Comment #8 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
This is a great way to read a newspaper: First: A good story, good description, and a video, instead of a static image!
It's a wonderful way to personalize a story!

Eduardo Quezada

Marla
Comment #9 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
Way cool story, I hope it inspires others to put down their smokes and knit scarves or whatever.

D&H
Comment #10 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
Great message...while not a smoker, from watching others, I know that quitting is no easy task so the concept of finding an alternate activity as straight forward and, I assume, relatively inexpensive as knitting; may help get others thinking outside the box on options in lieu of this bad habit. Best of luck to Terri.

rebecca galeney - England
Comment #11 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
Well done smoking is bad for you. I love knitting. For inspiration have a look at www.bexknitwear.com
You will get some great ideas they sell knitting patterns and wool as well as made up jumpers ready to buy.
I quit smoking 10 years ago best thing I ever did. No more coughing, being reliant on having a packet of cigarettes on me all the time and being a social outcast. Socially you will be better off and you will have more money. Keep it up and quit all together.

Cosmo
Comment #12 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44 am
What a great story about a fascinating approach to quitting smoking. Good luck, Terri!

mom of lots
Comment #13 | Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 5:58 pm
chewing gum instead of smoking also helps, just be careful not to chew too much or your jaws will pay the price. I quit years ago- best thing I ever did. I did it so I would be an example to my children and be alive and healthy when they are older.

Article Comments are contributed by our readers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Valley News staff. The name listed as the author for comments cannot be verified; Comment authors are not guaranteed to be who they claim they are.

 

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