WAVERLY - By trade, Karen Thalacker is an attorney. She also is married with four children and plays an active role in her community. She uses the extra hours in her day - insert laughter here - to write.

"People ask, 'How do you have time to do this?'"

Her answer is simple: Make the effort. Her justification is also straightforward.

"Everyone needs a handcraft, whether you are 5 or 95," she says.

Thalacker released her second book in August, "Gigi Knits … and Purls," published by Martingale. The how-to follows "Knitting with Gigi," published in June 2007.

Both go beyond step-by-step instruction manuals, however. Each opens with a story told in rhyme and includes colorful illustrations of Gigi McGreedy and several projects kids can complete.

Thalacker, through her imaginary friend, also includes a message about helping others: "When thousands of needles are clicking away, then hope and compassion will carry the day." Her Web site at www.gigiknits.com shares information about organizations that accept knitted items. They range from Binky Patrol to Warm Up America.

Gigi's Kindness Corps also recently teamed up with Self-Help International, which is based in Waverly. Gigi's knitters donated 2,500 dish clothes that were added to Self-Help feeding kits and distributed in Ghana and Nicaragua.

In "Gigi Knits … and Purls," the character's friend, Ginger, asks "the burning question," Thalacker says.

"So I've often wondered and perhaps you'll admit, just where is your favorite place to knit?"

The 32-page book is also designed to advance the reader's skill with needles and yarn.

"If you can knit and purl, you can do amazing things in the knitting world," Thalacker says.

And the very accomplished - who also create characters and write books - go even farther. "Knitting with Gigi" won acclaim and awards. The book earned a silver medal for non-fiction for juveniles, teens and young adults from Independent Publishers and recognition from National Parenting Publications.

Thalacker was also invited to Mall of America in Minneapolis. Organizers estimate more than 50,000 people attended, some to meet Gigi's creator. Thalacker, meanwhile, got to meet an author she admires, Debbie Macomber.

Macomber is best known for writing what are loosely described as romance novels. Her book "74 Seaside Avenue" hit No. 1 on the New York Times and USA Today best-sellers lists, and more than 100 million copies of her books are in print.

What fans may not realize is Macomber is also an avid knitter.

"I was just in awe," Thalacker says.

To Thalacker's surprise, Macomber turned the tables, referring to "Knitting with Gigi."

"'That's my granddaughter's favorite book.' I was looking around, 'OK is anyone else hearing this?'" Thalacker says.

Macomber even offered an endorsement of "Gigi Knits … and Purls," which appears on the dust jacket.

Despite the success, Thalacker downplays her role.

"I really do believe this: Almost anyone could have done this. All it took was a good idea and a little bit of persistence," she says.

And while Gigi is taking Thalacker to places she never imagined, the basic premise is what excites.

"It has been wonderful in so many ways, but I still go back to the thrill of teaching a child to knit. That's really the point of all of it."

Thalacker always envisioned the Gigi series would be a trilogy. Before turning her attention to the final volume, however, she is branching out. Her third title, "101 Things They Didn't Teach in Law School," will be released in March.

High on the list of advice is hiring a good assistant and learning how to handle judges, like her husband, Peter Newell. She has a bit of fun with the topic.

"I don't recommend marrying them," she says with a laugh.

Thalacker uses the same basic ingredients in "101 Things," and she encourages others to invest a bit of each day to develop their good ideas, too.

"Do it. Don't make the excuse that you don't have time. Because you do have time."

Contact Dennis Magee

at (319) 291-1451 or

dennis.magee@wcfcourier.com.