Book Review: Lullaby Knits by Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard

Title:  Lullaby Knits: Over 20 knitting patterns for 0-2 year olds
Author:  Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard
Publication Date:  Sept 3, 2013

Price at time of review:
Kindle edition:  $15.04
Paperback:  $15.83
Book description from Amazon:
This beautiful new book of functional, stylish designs for babies contains over 20 unique knitting patterns for sweaters, cardigans, vests, dresses, blankets, bootees as well as a cosy wrap for mum.

Combining true comfort with contemporary design, in a world where time is precious and clothes are often mass-produced, Danish knitwear designer Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard has produced a delightful range of garments that are worth investing time into. Many of the designs focus on texture and shape in solid colours, and all aim to be comfortable for babies.

Beautiful stitches, quirky details, classic shapes and lush yarns are combined to inspire others to create their own unique garments and accessories.

My Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

My Review:
The designs in this book are really lovely.  Most feature an all-over pattern with nice styling and simple necklines perfect for babies and toddlers.  There are 22 projects included:  7 sweaters, 6 jacket/cardigans, 3 vests, and 6 misc (hat, booties, blankets).  The yarn used in most patterns is from Rowan or Debbie Bliss, so easy to find yarns.  All of the patterns are knit flat.  Here is a quick list of my pros and cons:

Pros:
*Beautiful pictures and usually more than one per project.  Projects are shown on babies/toddlers and sometimes flat as well.
*The designs are simple enough for most knitters, but are still very stylish.
* Most of the designs are unisex, although some are just for girls.

Cons:
*There are no charts for any of the patterns.  Not a huge problem, but some of the patterns would be easier to follow by chart.
*There are no schematics for the sweaters.  Again, not a huge problem, especially since these are all baby clothing, but I like schematics.
*While most patterns have instructions for 3-5 sizes in the 0-2 year old range, 1 of the sweaters has only 1 size (0-3month).

As I stated earlier, I really liked the designs in this book.  Some of them would be great adult patterns.  I think knitters of all levels will find something they want to make from this book.  I know I will be using this for the next baby gift I need to make!

*ARC courtesy of Anova Books, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!*

Book Review: Lace One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant

Title:  Lace One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects Celebrating the Possibilities of Lace
Author:  Judith Durant
Publication Date:  September 10, 2013

Price at time of review:
Paperback:  $11.37

Book description from Amazon:
Judith Durant has done it again! This all-new collection of 101 original lace knitting projects, each using just a single skein of yarn, will thrill knitters of all levels. From clothes and accessories to pillows, curtains, and tablecloths, these beautiful projects were contributed by designers and knitters around the world. Try your hand at an heirloom-quality lace shawl, a lacy pair of gloves, or a dainty child’s dress with a perfect lace insert – the possibilities are endless!

My Rating:

3.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  There are some things that are done very well and a couple of things I wish had been done dfferently.  Let's start with the good:
-there are a lot of projects in this book--98 knitting and 3 crochet
-there is a huge variety in the lace projects, everything from the expected shawls and scarves, to projects for the home, baby projects, socks...really something for everyone
-the projects are worked in different weight yarns, not just lace/fingering weight
-projects contain both charts and written instructions were applicable
-projects have helpful "pattern notes".

Things I thought could be improved:
-baby items mostly come in just one size
-most of the baby clothes shown on a hanger, not on a baby
-pictures throughout the book aren't clear enough to fully see projects and often only have one picture per project
-no schematic of projects.

I would say that this book is suitable for the brave advanced beginner.  It would be a good introduction to any knitter ready to learn lace.  And with so many projects, there really is something for everyone.

*ARC courtesy of Storey Publishing, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!*

Book review: Moosewood Restaurant Favorites

Title:  Moosewood Restaurant Favorites: The 250 Most-Requested, Naturally Delicious Recipes from One of America's Best-Loved Restaurants

Author:  Moosewood Collective
Publication Date:  Sep 3, 2013

Price at time of review:
Kindle edition:  $12.74
Hardcover:  $17.99

Book Description   Moosewood Restaurant, founded in 1973, revolutionized vegetarian cooking by introducing delicious soups, satisfying sandwiches, warming casseroles, zesty entrees, spiffy salads, and divine desserts. Moosewood Restaurant Favorites contains 250 of their most requested recipes completely updated and revised to reflect the way they're cooked now—increasingly vegan and gluten-free, benefitting from fresh herbs, new varieties of vegetables, and the wholesome goodness of newly-rediscovered grains.
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My Rating:

5 out of 5 stars!

My Review:

I don't even know where to begin.  Without a doubt, this will become one of my most used and loved cookbooks.  There are so many excellent recipes in here.  I was lucky enough to go to college near Moosewood Restaurant, so I have been a fan for years and I have a couple of their recipe books, but this is definitely my new favorite.  I love how they have updated the recipes and how detailed the instructions are.  Also, the serving suggestions, food pairings, and alternative prep comments are so helpful.  Cannot say enough good stuff about this one--a rare 5-star cookbook!

*ARC courtesy of St. Martin's Press, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!*

Book Review: Great Little Gifts to Knit by Jean Moss

Title:  Great Little Gifts to Knit:  30 Quick and Colorful Patterns
Author:  Jean Moss
Publication Date:  Sep 3, 2013

Price at time of review:
Kindle edition:  na
Paperback:  $16.57, list price $21.95
   
Book description from Amazon:  Today's knitters are avid—and busy. Although they love to knit for friends and family, and enjoy trying out new patterns and stitch techniques, they're constantly faced with the challenge of finding enough time to complete their projects. Great Little Gifts to Knit solves this problem. Jean Moss, author of Sweet Shawlettes, has designed 30 fun, fresh, beautiful patterns that incorporate traditional knitting techniques from all over the world: from Fair Isle and Aran knits to Peruvian intarsia patterns and Japanese shadow knitting techniques. Beautiful, clever, and, most of all, quick to knit, these projects offer knitters a chance to learn and experiment with new techniques—all in projects that can be made in less than a weekend.

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My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Great Little Gifts to Knit provided exactly what the title implies:  30 relatively quick projects for gift giving.  While there may be nothing original about the concept, this book does a nice job presenting and organizing the projects.

The layout of the book is well thought out.  In the beginning of each chapter, Jean Moss lists the "showcased techniques" that will be used in the projects within that chapter.  She suggests that these projects can be used as mini workshops for learning new techniques which is a great idea for newer knitters.  Each project has a least one color photo (many have more than one photo), clear instructions, schematics, charts where appropriate, lists the skill level involved, and lists the approximate time needed to complete the project.  All very helpful. This book does not give basic knitting instructions, but in Appendix 1, it does describe and sometimes diagram some of the intermediate techniques and stitches used in the projects.

What I liked most about this book:  the projects are often shown with more than one color photo, and with different colors of yarn so you can really get a feel for the project.  I also loved the project index in the back of the book, with a picture of each project and page number.  I would recommend this book for beginners-intermediate knitters, although knitters of all levels will find some great gifts to knit!

*ARC courtesy of Random House, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!*

Book Review: The Fresh Honey Cookbook by Laurey Masterton

Title:  The Fresh Honey Cookbook:  84 Recipes from a Beekeeper's Kitchen

Author:  Laurey Masterton

Publication Date:  Sept 11, 2013

Price at time of review (Amazon):
Kindle edition:  $9.99
Paperback:  $8.97, List price $14.95

     

Book description from Amazon:  Indulge in these 84 luscious recipes inspired by honey bees, the food they pollinate, and the wonderful range of honey they produce. Highlighting a different honey varietal each month (tupelo, orange blossom, acacia, avocado, raspberry, tulip poplar, sourwood, blueberry, cranberry, eucalyptus, chestnut, and sage), beekeeper and chef Laurey Masterton offers amazing dishes made from simple, fresh ingredients. You'll love Avocado and Mango Salad, Candy Roaster Squash Soup, Pork Tenderloin with Orange Blossom Honey-Mustard, Turkey Roulade in Puffed Pastry with Cranberry Chutney, Wild Salmon with a Smoky Onion Crust, Sweet Potato Salad with Sourwood Honey, Strawberry-Rhubarb Cream, Elsie's Cranberry Pie, and Coconut Macaroons with Dried Cherries. You'll also find honey-tasting tips and fascinating glimpses into the life of a beehive.

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My Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Let me start by saying this book deserves to be a 4 star rating.  I truly enjoyed it from cover to cover.  So why did I only rate it 3 stars?  I think the title is unintentionally misleading.  This was not really a honey cookbook, in fact some of the recipes do not even contain honey.  This book is more a mix of recipes and beekeeping facts.  Ms. Masterton does state in the intro that not all of the recipes contain honey, but rather they all include ingredients that would not exist without bees as pollinators.  This is not evident from the cover or title.

The book is organized into chapters by the season and months of the year.  Each season lists the chores of the beekeeper and then is divided into individual months with recipes.  There is a variety of recipes from appetizers through desserts and even some drinks.

Here's what I liked:  Beautiful color pictures of beekeeping throughout the year and of some of the recipes.  I also enjoyed reading about Ms. Masterton's adventures in beekeeping and all of the fun bee facts throughout the book.

What I think could have been improved:  not all of the recipes have pictures.  I always find it more difficult to get excited about a recipe without a pretty picture.  I also would have liked more recipes with honey.

As a novice beekeeper, I really enjoyed this book for it's beekeeping tips and recipes.  Perhaps it should have been titled simply "Recipes from a Beekeeper's Kitchen".

*ARC courtesy of Storey Publishing, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!*

Book Review: Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

Title:  Handknit Holidays:  Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice
Author:  Melanie Falick
Original Publication Date:  Oct 2005;   Kindle Edition:  Oct 2012

Price at time of review at Amazon:
Kindle edition:  $14.74, digital list price $24.99

Book description from Amazon:  For many people, the best part of the winter holidays is the anticipation: planning the perfect gifts, decorating the house, looking forward to seeing family and friends. Holidays can be particularly special for knitters, whose preparations often start months in advance and involve their own creations. In Handknit Holidays best-selling knitting author Melanie Falick presents an eclectic collection of more than 50 original gifts, decorations, and clothing pieces for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter solstice, providing year-round inspiration for knitters of all levels.

Created by top knitwear designers, the projects include colorful ornaments; funky and classic Christmas stockings; a wire-and-bead menorah; sparkly ribbon scarves; a poncho and matching dog sweater; and a range of super-quick projects for that last-minute holiday rush, from a Santa hat, to elf caps, to flower pins. Rounding out the volume are a few grand projects-an Aran tree skirt, a patchwork afghan, a lace shawl-destined to become family heirlooms, plus features on such topics as the origin of the Christmas stocking, the meaning of the winter solstice, knitting for charities, strategies for finishing holiday knitting (on schedule!), and even a delicious recipe for festive crescent cookies.

Beautifully photographed by Susan Pittard, Handknit Holidays is a creative celebration of the holiday season and a treasure for all knitters who seek to bring more of their own handwork-and artistry-into their daily lives and their holiday festivities.
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My Rating:

3.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:
This book features projects by 30 different well-known designers, each bringing their unique style to the different holiday-themed projects (mostly centered around Christmas and Winter Solstice).  Along with the 50+ patterns, there are also stories about the origin of some holiday traditions from around the world, recipes, tips to help organize your holiday knitting, and even a list of charitable knitting opportunities.

Although all of the patterns have clear instructions, there are mistakes in some of the patterns and I would have liked to have seen more pictures of the items in the book.  No problem though, since this book was first released in 2005 and therefore most of the problems have been worked out and all the pictures I need of the projects are available on Ravelry:  click here to see ravelry projects.

Most of the projects in this book are for the intermediate knitter, but advanced beginners should do fine since there are so many projects to look through on Ravelry to help you through.  There are schematics and charts where appropriate and as I mentioned earlier, the instructions are clear, but be sure to check on Ravelry for any known pattern errors.  Many of the projects are big and will require some time, so plan ahead.  This will be a go-to book for me when I need some gift-giving inspiration.

*Review copy courtesy of Open Road Integrated Media, provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!*

My plans for this winter include a few pairs of the Log Cabin socks and if I can find the time, I would love to start the Bohus-inspired Sugarplum Pullover.  Stay tuned!

Book Review: Year-Round Slow Cooker by Dina Cheney

Title:  Year-Round Slow Cooker

Author:  Dina Cheney

Publication Date:  Jun 17, 2013

Price at time of review:
Kindle edition:  $13.73
Paperback:  $14.45

     

Book description from Amazon:  Slow cookers are popular for good reason: They're the ultimate kitchen problem solvers. If you're watching your budget, they're well worth the $30 they cost since they can turn the cheapest cuts of meat into unctuous, mouth-watering results worthy of a five-star restaurant. Slow cookers also do the hard work, cooking for hours while you're out of the house only to come home to a meal just about ready to eat. And since slow cookers keep food warm, they allow different family members to eat at different times: a practical option in a world of staggered schedules.

Yet, slow cookers have an image problem. Most home cooks use them for cold weather meals only, while others think slow cookers can only produce food that's mushy, bland, and watery or rely solely on shortcut ingredients like spice packets, bouillon cubes, and bottled sauces.

No longer does this must-have kitchen tool deserve to be stored away when spring months hit. In Year-Round Slow Cooker, home cooks will find 100 delicious, modern, practical slow cooker recipes featuring seasonal produce. Recipes speak to the home cook whose palate is more sophisticated and who wants to incorporate seasonal produce into all of her meals.

Organized by season, Year-Round Slow Cooker features notes about the featured seasonal ingredients as well as invaluable tips throughout to help cooks maximize the power of the slow cooker.

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My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

My Review:
I really liked this cookbook.  With my busy family, I am a huge fan of crock pot cooking.  The recipes in this book do not focus on quick and easy slow cooker meals, instead the author put a lot of thought into emphasizing seasonal fresh produce and flavor.  Even though the recipes are more "gourmet" than quick, the ingredients are not hard to come by.  There are so many recipes I have highlighted to try!

The book is loaded with tips on meat selection and how to buy and choose fresh vegetables and fruits.  Also tips about substitutions for vegan, vegetarian, or lower fat options.  Each recipe starts with an estimated prep time, slow cook time, misc cooking time, and number of servings.  The book is divide into four seasons and each season has loads of recipes, including some slow cooker breakfasts and desserts.  With 100 recipes, there is something in each season you will want to try.