Book Review: Weaving Rag Rugs

Posted by on May 30, 2014 in Artsy Things, Blog Fun, review, Weaving |

First, I need to say that I really wish I had my loom back. I think you’re going to want one, too. * * * Tom Knisely’s new book, Weaving Rag Rugs is one of those books that makes you think, “Oh… yeah… THAT’S the thing that I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do!” The book, if you’ve never woven before, gives you pretty much everything you need (except money for the loom and people to help you set it all...

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Book Review: Knitted Mitts & Mittens

Posted by on Apr 18, 2014 in Blog Fun, freebies, Knitting, patterns, review, Writing | 2 comments

Sorry for the absence! I’ve been packing boxes. Like this.   I’ve also been doing this: But mostly, today, I wanted to talk to you about this: Amy Gunderson’s book’s cover tells me all I need to know. This book is full of fun patterns. I love fun. I decided to highlight two for you today. The first is Coventry: I admit that I’m a sucker for this color grey, so I’m immediately drawn to it. But beyond...

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Matilda and Monuments

Posted by on Jan 31, 2014 in Artsy Things, Blog Fun, General Ranting, Love, review, Travel |

In January we took a whistle-stop trip to NYC for Thing 2’s 10th birthday. It’s becoming a thing (we saw Annie last year). This year we saw Matilda. You must go. Really, you must. I don’t know how you’ll do it, but try everything you can to go see this show. My Goodness… it’s a book-lover’s paradise. And oddly, the theater was populated by plenty of folks who (I gather) had never read a Roald Dahl book...

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As seen in Vogue Knitting Winter 2013/14

Posted by on Jan 12, 2014 in Blog Fun, designs, Grounded, Knitting, review, Sock Knitting, Web Fun | 6 comments

Hugely gratifying beyond my capacity for speech is having  Vogue Knitting Winter 2013/14 give praise to my new book, Grounded. The review also says that I’m creating sock patterns for each of the main characters, plus a bonus pattern. This is true and the patterns are all out, now! Yay! It also goes on to say: “The sock patterns… are being rolled out over time and will appear automatically in the Ravelry libraries of knitters who buy the...

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Movie Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Posted by on Jan 6, 2014 in Blog Fun, Deus Ex Film, General Ranting, review, Writing |

I know I could be risking much by reviewing this film, what with hosting a literature podcast and all, but hear me out. I like to judge a film (or a book for that matter) on whether or not the end goal was achieved. For me, To Kill a Mockingbird is pretty much the pinnacle of book-to-film that you can find. Sure you lose 98% of the subplots and a lot of important subtext — but was the book represented in a way that did justice to...

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Book Review: Sweet & Simple Baby Crochet

Posted by on Oct 10, 2013 in Blog Fun, crochet, review |

I don’t talk about crochet all that much over here. Not because I don’t like to (I do and did it exclusively for years) but because I’m not often moved by crochet the way I am by knitting. I don’t know what that says about me. I should ask Dawn. She’ll know. Regardless, I was contacted by Gooch & Gooch to see if I’d like to review the book and raffle it off on CraftLit. I checked out the world of Kristi...

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