The Knitting Woman The Knitting Woman''s story is told by a scholar who has, through chance, crossed her path and who cannot get her out of his mind. A picture of the narrator himself emerges as he consults with his mentor on the many issues thrown up by the Knitting Woman and her predicament. The Knitting Woman is in her mid to late twenties (possibly). She may be dumb and a little hard of hearing for she never speaks. Her antecedents also appear within the novel. The novel progresses as a sort of journey, for the Knitting Woman is a lady of the road. The setting is initially London and moves via Shrewsbury to West Wales. The time is between 1960 and 1980.