What was your inspiration for the work? I heard about the Pratt Library's competition and knew that I didn't want my altered book to look like a book when I was done with it. I'd just finished a knit piece with yarn and really enjoyed the knitting process so I thought I'd try knitting with paper yarn, narrow strips of paper cut from a book and then glued together. Choosing the book to alter was easy. Agatha Christie mysteries are my comfort reading. I almost always have one on the nightstand. Miss Marple, one of Christie's recurring amateur detectives, is an old lady who knits so I chose a Miss Marple mystery, "The Body in the Library."

Did it feel odd to slice up the book? I did take a deep breath before I started slicing. It goes against all of my instincts to mar a book in any way. I had to tell myself I was doing a good thing.

Was this a departure from your other artwork? I do painting, cut paper and fiber arts (weaving, cross stitch, knitting and sewing). This is my first piece knitting strips of paper. I have since finished a pink baby hat and booties (on display at School 33 through November 14) called You are Beautiful Like... also made with strips of paper, this time with my own writing. I really like the medium and plan to do more with it.