Happy springtime! It's hard to read when the weather outside is so perfect, isn't it? This April, I read some pattern books I've been wanting to look at, with the hopes of finding some new items to update my wardrobe and replace things I've unfortunately outgrown (thank you, menopause).
Hygge Style Knitting by Interweave Editors The idea of hygge was very popular in the press just before the pandemic. Many people who found themselves confined to their homes spent time learning new crafts, improving their home spaces, and generally trying to increase the presence of anything that could provide comfort. This book of knitting patterns was just one book to provide knitted comfort to craft. Nicely photographed, as Interweave Press publications are, this collection of socks, cowls, sweaters, and others are generally made of bulkier yarns to simulate that large knitted comfort look that is popular, and which take much less time for new knitters to create. And that's the perfect way to help novice knitters grow their skills, as a successfully completed project is a great spur to make something else! Suitable for movie and experienced knitters alike, but the sweaters are far too warm for a desert dweller like me.
New Lace Knitting by Rosemary Hill Beautiful pattern book of sweaters, tops, and accessories made from lace weight yarn. Rosemary Hill is an accomplished and well-known designer, and her patterns are always beautiful to look at. I've bookmarked a couple I want to try for myself, since lace weight yarn is the thickets I can wear out here. But don't expect me to report back anytime soon--lace weight yarn takes me forever to knit. The patterns are lovely, the photography is good, but I would rate the patterns are for intermediate and more advanced knitters as lace weight yarn can be difficult to work with.
Simple Style by Ann Budd Ann Budd is another well known knitwear designer, and in this book, she presents several patterns that are simple in style and construction, but stylish and therefore great mainstays for a knitted wardrobe. But don't be fooled by the title; the Stay Put Wrap, for example, is a modern interpretation of a stile or rectangular wrap that is anything but old fashioned or boring. There were several sweater and tops that I bookmarked for myself, because sometimes I need a quick knitting fix. The patterns are a great mix of just challenging enough for a novice knitter and not too boringly easy for more experienced knitters. Lovely photographs and nice presentation.
Metropolitan Knits by Melissa Wehrle Metropolitan Knits presents 20 knitting projects designed to reflect a modern urban style that combines both feminine silhouettes and funkier yet classic designs. Look for surprising elements that are a bit unexpected, such as the peep of lace in the back hem of the Secret Garden Tank. I liked several of the patterns, but don't think the styles are ones that my middle aged body can wear anymore. Too bad this books wasn't around 20 years ago, when the styles would have been flattering for my figure. There are several accessories presented as well, so the book is appropriate for novice knitters and those with more experience alike.
Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates I enjoy the Lighthouse Library mystery series, although I will admit right away that I have not read all of them. I think I read the first, one in the middle somewhere, and then this one, which is the latest and will be published in June 2022. Lucy, the lighthouse librarian, and her love Connor, dentist and mayor, have bought their dream home. It's located right on the beach, but requires quite a bit of renovation as it's been sitting derelict for quite a few years. Of course there is a ghost story associated with it. As Connor and his dad undertake the renovations, Lucy gets drawn into the house's troubled past until one night, the ghost pays her a visit. Easy, breezy style, Eva Gates is the non de plume of prolific mystery writer Vicki Delaney. I like another of her series (Tea by the Sea) although I'm slightly less interested in her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. I'm a little worried that with 5 series in print at the same time (Year Round Christmas and Catskills Summer Resort mysteries), the quality of the books may soon start to decline, but Death by Beach Road, although predictable, was still a pleasant read, and perfect for a warm spring day. (Net Galley)
The Bellamy Trial by Frances Noyes Hart One of the first courtroom dramas to become a bestseller, The Bellamy Trial unravels, through courtroom testimonials, the murder of a young socialite. Published in 1927, it was almost immediately made into a silent movie; sadly, most of the reels have disappeared or decayed. The story is told in a fairly crisp style, with the sworn testimonies of various witnesses and suspects presented in individual chapters interspersed with commentary by a never-names male Reporter and The Red-headed Girl, a young reporter covering her first trial. The reporter explains what's going on for her and the reader's benefits, and it's a very modern approach that makes the nearly 100-year-old book feel much more modern than the situations and social mores that are exposed by the trial itself portray. I enjoyed this book very much, and recommend it to anyone looking for something new, and perhaps a bit different from the normal mystery genre. (Net Galley)
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