A Dark and Snowy Night, by Sally Goldenbaum

A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 16 in the series.

As a knitter, I have been a fan of this series from the beginning. I just had a hard time connecting with this one. The character list felt a bit bloated and the constant POV switches kept me off kilter. I found myself having to re-read chunks to figure out who was talking or being talked about. I also found myself switching to read something else fairly often. I got there in the end, but it certainly wasn't the most enjoyable of the series.

I do enjoy the regular Seaside Knitters and the setting, so I will continue to read the series. Fans of the series should still read it, new readers would be better off starting from the beginning.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Knitty Gritty Murder, by Peggy Ehrhart

Knitty Gritty Murder by Peggy Ehrhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, Really 3.5 stars, but I really liked it.

Book 7 in the series. While this book can be read as a stand alone, there are a lot of characters and you'll be happier if you start from the beginning.

I have read just about every knitting mystery series there is, and this series is one of the keepers. It took me a bit of time in the first book to warm up to them, but now I happily greet each new book in the series. And this one is probably my favorite so far. Can you beat death by circular needle?!

The Knit and Nibblers are a lovely group, with Pamela and Bettina taking the main character spots, and of course the cats always add more fun with their brief appearances. This book added gardening to the knitting and I was sold.

My only complaint about the series is the author still goes in to way too much detail about the food that gets served at each get together.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder in a Scottish Shire

 

Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

Book 1 in a new series.

Sadly, this book just wasn't for me. The setting and storyline had potential, but I found it hard to get into. In was slow moving, and I really had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, which was too bad. I put it down to read other things for a bit and then I ended up skipping to the end about halfway through.

I'm not sure if I would give book 2 a try.


*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher, via NetGalley*

 

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Coffeehouse Knits, by Kerry Bogert

Coffeehouse Knits: Knitting Patterns and Essays with Robust Flavor by Kerry Bogert

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars, simply because most of the patterns aren't what I like to knit.

This book has lots of lovely sweater, cowl, and scarf patterns. I was a little disappointed though, because the intro claimed that these were patterns to sip and knit at your local coffeehouse, with or without a knit group. For me, that means portable patterns. And sweaters don't fit that description for me. The most portable project is socks, and there are only two patterns in the book. Both are okay, but nothing super special.

It still gets 4.5 stars because the patterns look well written, with clear directions and charts and really, the items are gorgeous. They just don't fit my personal preference. It's still absolutely worth a look.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley*

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The Knitter's Dictionary, by Kate Atherley

The Knitter's Dictionary: Knitting Know-How from A to Z by Kate Atherley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, A fantastic little resource.

Know how to knit? Want to go beyond knit and purl? Then you need to learn how to read those patterns! From k2tog to PSSO, this is the perfect little book to demystify knitting patterns. It's a sweet little reference book to have on hand when you're stumped by an abbreviation. It also has some handy techniques for things such as joining a new ball of yarn.

This is not the book for you if you're trying to learn how to knit, but if you're ready to tackle something harder than a hat or scarf, this book is for you. Intermediate and experienced knitters should still find this handy as well.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book received from the publisher, via NetGalley*

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Reading binge

I've been on a bit of a binge lately.  I'm going to have to stop soon and get my thoughts down for some reviews.

Reading List:
Reining in Murder, by Leigh Hearon
Kernel of Truth, by Kristi Abbott
Hearse and Gardens, by Kathleen Bridge
A Story to Kill, by Lynn Cahoon (NetGalley)
Out of Nowhere, by Susan Dunlap (NetGalley)

And those are just the ones that I have read (or am still actively reading) in the last week!  The TBR pile on my coffee table doesn't seem to be getting any shorter.  And we won't talk about all the books waiting on my Kindle...

There are a few more books on NetGalley I would love to request, but I have 3 more books on my new shelf to read, so I am holding off on requesting anything more until I have at least finished a few and left reviews.

By the way, the sock I was knitting on during the Readathon?  It's about to hit the frog pond.  After 2.5 repeats, I realized that the blasted chart in the pattern is not only upside down, but reads from right to left as well.  *Sigh*  This is why I usually hate charts. I shall be stealing a sheet of graph paper from my daughter and re-writing it before I start again.

And so it begins.

Well, soon anyway.  Because the @SaveOurCozies #Readathon starts at Midnight!  I will be all over the place, Twitter (@Morticia_Hills), Facebook, and here.  No idea what I will have to say, but I will be reading (and listening) to some old favorites who have all been impacted by the recent Berkley cuts:
Melissa Bourbon - Magical Dressmaking series
Molly MacRae - Haunted Yarn Shop series
Christy Fifield - Haunted Souvenir series
Paige Shelton - Farmer's Market series

and more, maybe?  I have more ready to go, if needed.  I have a sock on my knitting needles to knit while I listen (or not, knitting while tired is a bad thing for me!), snacks and plenty of water.  There is always coffee to be had if necessary, and I'm about to start a pitcher of iced tea brewing, though that will likely be what keeps me moving tomorrow during the day.

Edited to add: Ok, so I won't really be all over the place.  I am mostly doing Twitter & a few posts here.

How to Knit Socks That Fit, by Donna Druchunas

How to Knit Socks That Fit: Techniques for Toe-Up and Cuff-Down Styles. A Storey BASICS® Title by Donna Druchunas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a straight forward book. I think if you were new to sock knitting, this would be a great book for you. It's a straight forward how to knit socks book. But, for more comfortable knitters, there are no real full patterns, just knitting stitch patterns you could use to design your own socks. Which if you're an advanced knitter, and comfortable with putting the pieces of a pattern together yourself, this book will appeal. But personally, that's a wee bit out of my comfort zone. I fall into the "comfortable" category, but not quite adventurous or advanced!

One of the major cons for me was there are no photos. For me, one of the things I like best about knitting books are the photos of finished projects. No finished projects means no pretty photos.

*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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Great Little Gifts to Knit

NOTE: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is gorgeously photographed and the patterns all look to be clearly written, with easy to follow instructions and charts in many of the patterns. There's a little something for everyone in this pattern book, from beginners to stuff like intarsia that makes me quake in my boots! Each pattern is clearly labeled with skill level and approximate time to complete. The techniques section at the back is especially helpful to someone like me who is ready to try new techniques/stitches.

There are some really cute patterns in this book.

 Deco Backpack: I will admit I am a bit addicted to knit bags. And I already have two knit backpacks. But the look and texture of this bag make me want to go stash-diving!

 Masham Scarf: The trick of using different sized needles to make a light and airy scarf is something I never would have thought of, but oh what a look! The Kidsilk Haze just begs you to reach out and touch it. I love that just by changing that you get two completely different looks.

 Baby Love Blanket: I don't want to make a whole blanket (just did that, took forever and not ready for that kind of commitment again, yet, haha), but I'm tempted to try the center square of the baby love blanket, just for practice at shadow knitting. And the booties from the Shower Set! I may have to make the blanket recipient some booties to go with it.

 On the other hand, I am not a fan of fingerless gloves, (especially froufrou ones!), wristbands or leg warmers (sorry, the 80s are over, I don't want to go back there!) and I don't have a smartphone to make a cozy for. And while I love the Feather and Fan pattern, the Fiesta Shrug that looks to use that pattern makes me cringe.

 All in all though, I would say I like enough of the patterns to make this book a thumbs up.