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2 Knitting Books and 3 Crochet Projects

7/18/2012

21 Comments

 
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Greetings friends! So happy to see you this fine Wednesday. As you know, I don't knit, I crochet. Today in addition to the 3 fun crochet projects I'm working on, I have 2 books themed around knitting to share with you. I recently received a copy of Knit with Love: Stories to Warm a Knitter's Heart from the author herself, the funny and charming Lisa Bogart. I've only just begun, but already I feel a connection to the people and their stories as Lisa tells them. I'm looking forward to this one, and to sharing my review with you next week.

On the hook with this week's book is another washcloth. This one is a square and it goes quite nicely with the circle I made last week! The pattern, I Love this Washcloth!, is a simple cobble stitch. It's working up quickly and is producing a fabric that's sturdy and flexible at the same time. 

Here's a peek at the other projects I'm working on this week

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Even though the temperature continues to be in the 90s and we're officially having a heat wave,  I'm still working on my wrap, Juliana Mod.
I'm 3/4s of the way done and happy with the way it looks. I plan on adding beads to the last row for a bit of glamor!
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I decided to make new coasters for John. Why? No clue! But here they are! Do you think they look like little albums? If I add a band name to the middle I bet it would help. Maybe, we'll see. 
I think they're kinda cute just the way they are, don't you?

And now, Cast on, Kill off - The review of a book about knitting and murder!

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Cast on, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton
June 2012 - Berkley Publishing / Penguin Group

I really wanted to like this book. I tried really hard, but it just fell short for me. The gang at House of Lambspun are excited to be planning a wedding for one of their regulars. All the events have been organized, menus are finalized and the ladies are putting the finishing touches on the shawls they're knitting to go with their bridesmaids dresses. Everything is perfect until Zoe, the seamstress making the gowns turns up dead. Who would want to murder the dressmaker? Everything points to her abusive, alcoholic husband.Or is it her sister Vera who steps up and takes care of finishing sewing the gowns and slips easily into running the shop. Then there's Leann who publicly accused Zoe of stealing her (award winning) wedding gown design.

There are plenty of suspects for amateur sleuth Kelly to ponder.  All while balancing her flourishing accounting career, rekindling her love life,  playing softball, knitting the shawl, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. (They're all very busy people!)

So why didn't I like this book? Because of the dialog. It's stiff and proper and way to formal for a group of young friends hanging out at the yarn store, or at dinner, or driving in the car. It made the characters all feel flat and phony. I just didn't believe anything that they told me. It was like a poorly acted Sunday movie - you know the kind I mean.

I know there are lots of you who will love this book so I won't tell you who did it. Sadly, as much as I love fiber arts this one has way too many dropped stitches for me!

At the library Tuesday, my co-worker suggested that we should start including my book reviews on our web site.  I was surprised and flattered. Surprised because I didn't know she read my blog, and flattered because I do know that she reads a lot of reviews! For her to deem my book thoughts worthy is a great compliment, and I'd love to share them with our patrons.  In the meantime, I'll continue to write honest, uncomplicated book reviews for regular people who read regular books, and share them here with you!

There's so much to see and do on Wednesday.  I link up with my friends at their wonderful blogs, and then I like to stop in and visit the other crafters. I always find inspiration and encouragement in the variety of projects people are working on. Why don't you join me?

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

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21 Comments
Wool Diaries link
7/18/2012 01:41:47 am

I can't wait to read Knit with Love, I have read such good things about it.

When I saw your coasters I immediately thought of albums. Perfect

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Sue link
7/18/2012 02:18:55 am

I enjoy your book reviews too, so keep them coming.

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Paula Purls link
7/18/2012 02:52:37 am

Knit With Love is on my reading list too - glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Your coasters totally look like vintage albums!

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Pumpkin link
7/18/2012 02:54:02 am

I love how you always have such an array of different projects every week, it is always fun to see what you have going on!

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Beth
7/18/2012 04:30:07 am

Knit with Love on my list.

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mary link
7/18/2012 04:35:39 am

I am looking for these on audio and I love the yarn in the 1st pic...

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Regula Bartholdi link
7/18/2012 04:35:44 am

It's going to be a wonderful shawl in white! The books sound promising!

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Jen link
7/18/2012 05:58:27 am

I look forward to hearing your review of Knit With Love. It's on my list to read.

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Hanni link
7/18/2012 08:54:02 am

Wow, that Cast on, Kill of novel sounds interesting for me!

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Mary link
7/18/2012 09:33:03 am

Cute coasters! I made a handful a while back, but should really try to make some more!
I hear ya on the heat and making large projects! My Juliana is also languishing a bit, though I hope to finish it soon!

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Robin link
7/18/2012 11:53:35 am

Hi there friends!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments with me. It's such a pleasure to hear from you. Knowing that you're interested in my crafting and reading adventures makes me want to do the best I can in my projects, pictures and writing.
I appreciate every one of you!
Happily yours,
Robin

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Sara link
7/18/2012 03:09:03 pm

There is a crochet murder mystery series that I read a while ago 'Hooked on Murder' that I loved initially. I related to the characters - I was thrilled to be reading something that involved crochet and they lived in a place I'm very familiar with. I did read the entire series but found that after the first mystery it is just a repeat - kind of like a fill in the blank mystery book.

I still liked the fact that it was crochet I just wish there was more of a unique twist to each book.

As far as your records go, love them - and if John is really into music I think he'd get a kick out of personalized coasters with his fav bands.

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Robin link
7/18/2012 03:18:04 pm

I haven't read that series, but your description of fill in the blank mystery is spot on for these books. They're not bad by any means, they're just to plain for my taste!
Great idea with the coasters - I might be too lazy to do it though!!

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Kathleen link
7/18/2012 04:58:38 pm

I tried to read one of Maggie Sefton's knitting mysteries a couple years ago, and also just...couldn't get into it, awesome fiber-arts angle aside. Glad it's not just me. ;)

Gorgeous projects, too, I <i>love</i> the look of that wrap, and the coasters really do look like little records (which I appreciate, as a big music lover).

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Mutant Supermodel link
7/19/2012 04:25:02 am

I need to get my hands on some of that Peaches & Cream Sweet Pea. I love it!

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Triona link
7/19/2012 09:43:33 am

Hm, thanks for the review! Unrealistic dialogue drives me nuts too, so I know to avoid this one.

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Cathy link
7/19/2012 07:11:49 pm

Love the coasters, they are cute! I know what you mean about the Sefton book, I haven't read this one but I'd read couple of earlier ones and they didn't tickle my fancy either. Will have to check out Knit with Love though.

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SusanD1408 link
7/19/2012 07:45:08 pm

Wow what fantastic WIPs, can't wait to see what they look like finished. I'll look forward to your review.

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Melissa link
7/20/2012 06:44:14 am

I love your dishcloths!

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Sara McFall link
7/24/2012 09:02:59 am

Very nice! I really like the wrap you're working on, and those books look interesting. Will have to check them out. Thanks for linking up at Hookin On Hump Day!

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Devon Hanna link
7/26/2012 09:58:42 am

Oh how I love to read books about knitting or any of my loves..thanks for the suggestions..and your dish cloth and doily look lovely..found you thru ravelry..
devon

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