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Pelagia and the Red Rooster: The Third Sister Pelagia Mystery
Book
The next caper in the Sister Pelagia mystery from the bestselling author of THE WINTER QUEEN....
Stitched in Crime
9.0
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Book
When murder pierces the fabric of the close-knit Crandalsburg Craft Fair, it's up to the Ninth...
Alice (12 KP) rated The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3) in Books
Jul 3, 2018
What happened? Something went wrong with The Countess Conspiracy and I’m not 100% sure what it was that made it go wrong. I’m about 85% sure that it was Violet Waterfield, the remaining 15% though no idea.
The Countess Conspiracy follows the story of Sebastian Malheur and Violet Waterfield – the two remaining members (honorary included)of the Brother’s Sinister. In previous books Sebastian has become reviled by most people due to his “crazed” notions on reproduction of plants and comparing them to Darwinism and proving the theory correct.
He started off as a joker before becoming infinitely more serious as the books progressed and I missed the funny side to him. Unfortunately spends the better part of this book serious and seems to lose himself in his and Violets plot.
∞
Now Violet is my main issue with this book. Throughout I wanted to pull the stick out of her butt and beat her over the head with it. She was stuck-up, prudish, overbearingly annoying, flat out rude and completely beyond any hope.
At about 50% I gave her the benefit of the doubt what with her history with her previous husband and the many many miscarriages but in the next chapter I wanted to beat her over the head to knock some sense into her again. She was awful and insufferable.
In the latter pages of the book she redeemed herself most highly but by that time I’d already resigned myself to the fact that this book would get a 3 star review and not a 4.
∞
I found that parts of the book were a little bit Americanised particularly towards the end and it felt a little too modernised at some stages which detracted from the regency part of the genre.
It wasn’t an overly bad instalment just one that I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as the previous ones. There were parts to the story that I didn’t like and the characters I had some issues with (Violet and her sister Lily) being the biggest ones but overall it was alright.
The only thing worse than an unlovable woman was an unlovable woman who whined about not being loved.
The above is something to do with Violet and her mother’s rules, the only thing was though was that Violet whined – and she whined a lot.
“I know.” He didn’t look away from her. “Isn’t that what I said? Only one of us is in love, and it isn’t you.”
God that quote from Sebastian near broke my heart. I felt so sorry for him – the man’s been in love with her for 16 years and he’s had no chance in hell of getting her.
A final parting quote:
Knitting makes even the most conniving soul look innocent. Her mother had it right. For some reason, butlers rarely suspected that a woman who had started knitting would stop and sneak about a house. Idiocy on their part; they were knitting needles, not shackles.
That is the quote that made me smile. It’s such a misplaced quote for the story but it’s still really good.
The Countess Conspiracy follows the story of Sebastian Malheur and Violet Waterfield – the two remaining members (honorary included)of the Brother’s Sinister. In previous books Sebastian has become reviled by most people due to his “crazed” notions on reproduction of plants and comparing them to Darwinism and proving the theory correct.
He started off as a joker before becoming infinitely more serious as the books progressed and I missed the funny side to him. Unfortunately spends the better part of this book serious and seems to lose himself in his and Violets plot.
∞
Now Violet is my main issue with this book. Throughout I wanted to pull the stick out of her butt and beat her over the head with it. She was stuck-up, prudish, overbearingly annoying, flat out rude and completely beyond any hope.
At about 50% I gave her the benefit of the doubt what with her history with her previous husband and the many many miscarriages but in the next chapter I wanted to beat her over the head to knock some sense into her again. She was awful and insufferable.
In the latter pages of the book she redeemed herself most highly but by that time I’d already resigned myself to the fact that this book would get a 3 star review and not a 4.
∞
I found that parts of the book were a little bit Americanised particularly towards the end and it felt a little too modernised at some stages which detracted from the regency part of the genre.
It wasn’t an overly bad instalment just one that I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as the previous ones. There were parts to the story that I didn’t like and the characters I had some issues with (Violet and her sister Lily) being the biggest ones but overall it was alright.
The only thing worse than an unlovable woman was an unlovable woman who whined about not being loved.
The above is something to do with Violet and her mother’s rules, the only thing was though was that Violet whined – and she whined a lot.
“I know.” He didn’t look away from her. “Isn’t that what I said? Only one of us is in love, and it isn’t you.”
God that quote from Sebastian near broke my heart. I felt so sorry for him – the man’s been in love with her for 16 years and he’s had no chance in hell of getting her.
A final parting quote:
Knitting makes even the most conniving soul look innocent. Her mother had it right. For some reason, butlers rarely suspected that a woman who had started knitting would stop and sneak about a house. Idiocy on their part; they were knitting needles, not shackles.
That is the quote that made me smile. It’s such a misplaced quote for the story but it’s still really good.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Unexpected Cables: Feminine Knitted Garments Featuring Modern Cable Knitting in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This is a book of cable patterns for knitters who are bored with other cable patterns. There are lots of patterns out there but when you’ve been knitting for any length of time, you feel like you’ve seen it all, and you’d really like to see something new. Remember when sideways-knit sweaters became a thing? I remember. But now even that’s a “same-old same-old.”
These patterns are a combination of different ways to use cables with interesting construction techniques. There are some simple, some complex. And don’t get me wrong, not all of them are “the new big thing.” But they are all really nice patterns. There’s also a good combination of lace-weight all the way up to medium weight. nothing bulky, but some really nice warm sweaters and hats.
I’d definitely recommend this book to someone familiar with cables (the book doesn’t include pages of instruction like some do, it assumes you know how to make cables if you buy an advanced cable book), but also wants something unique and interesting.
These patterns are a combination of different ways to use cables with interesting construction techniques. There are some simple, some complex. And don’t get me wrong, not all of them are “the new big thing.” But they are all really nice patterns. There’s also a good combination of lace-weight all the way up to medium weight. nothing bulky, but some really nice warm sweaters and hats.
I’d definitely recommend this book to someone familiar with cables (the book doesn’t include pages of instruction like some do, it assumes you know how to make cables if you buy an advanced cable book), but also wants something unique and interesting.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist in Books
Apr 27, 2018
New England Knits is full of 25 beautiful patterns—I love every single one—that are ideal for Fall, Winter, and Spring in the cooler areas of the world. There's a good variety: some sweaters, some cowls, some hats, a bag, a pair of mittens etc. They're all original and unique, and very inspiring. I can look at them and think of my own version or variation, either by changing the colors, adding a pocket, sewing on beads, etc. and creating my own look as well.
Again, I loved every single one. I've started one of them (Whale Watch Hat! It's really cute) and I can't wait to make some of the others.
Recommendation: The patterns are easy enough to read and understand for the intermediate/advanced knitter, which is the skill group it's written for. I'd say make sure you can read a pattern and use double pointed needles before trying any of these patterns. Summer is nearly half way over! Pick up your knitting needles and start on your Fall and Winter sweaters now!
Again, I loved every single one. I've started one of them (Whale Watch Hat! It's really cute) and I can't wait to make some of the others.
Recommendation: The patterns are easy enough to read and understand for the intermediate/advanced knitter, which is the skill group it's written for. I'd say make sure you can read a pattern and use double pointed needles before trying any of these patterns. Summer is nearly half way over! Pick up your knitting needles and start on your Fall and Winter sweaters now!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This book is awesome! There is so much in here for finishing every project, fixing every type of problem you could have, and techniques for making your handknits above the norm. I've learned so much just from flipping through it quickly. I refuse to part with it: It's a permanent addition to my knitting bookshelf.
Images and layout are very visually appealing, and the patterns are beautiful. There are lots of inspiring photographs and referenced projects that can be looked up. There aren't a whole lot of patterns in the book itself, because it's really all about techniques to finish your handknits.
My only complaint is very small and irrelevant to almost everyone: I'm trying to figure out why the whole book is formatted backwards, with a sans serif body text, and serif headers… maybe it's the technical writer/editor inside me, but it irritates me and it sticks out like a sore thumb.
But that's a pretty minor complaint when you think about it.
Recommended for knitters of all levels!
Images and layout are very visually appealing, and the patterns are beautiful. There are lots of inspiring photographs and referenced projects that can be looked up. There aren't a whole lot of patterns in the book itself, because it's really all about techniques to finish your handknits.
My only complaint is very small and irrelevant to almost everyone: I'm trying to figure out why the whole book is formatted backwards, with a sans serif body text, and serif headers… maybe it's the technical writer/editor inside me, but it irritates me and it sticks out like a sore thumb.
But that's a pretty minor complaint when you think about it.
Recommended for knitters of all levels!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Knit the Sky: Cultivate Your Creativity with a Playful Way of Knitting in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Knit the sky was whimsical and exciting. The book is quite different from the traditional knitting book, in that it doesn’t give step-by-step instructions, specific patterns, or have photos. Instead, it has colorful watercolor illustrations and beautiful inspiring text that paints a picture in the mind and leads the knitter to the place the writer wants them to be. The idea of giving inspiration for a project but not a specific pattern was challenging and new to say the least… but it worked for the book. It can be for a beginner knitter who wants the freedom to explore and not fit themselves into a pattern (just to grow as an artist) or for a free-former like myself, who doesn’t really follow patterns anyway and just wants the basic idea, or for an advanced knitter or pattern maker ready to push their creativity to the next level. It would even work for a crocheter (since most of it is make-up-as-you-go anyway).
Craftmoji - the cute craft sticker App
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Take your love of craft to the next level with this super fun craft sticker app! You’ll find 150+...
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