Book Reviews

Here's a couple more of my favourite books. They are knitting books, but still books :)

I was at Soper Creek Yarn on the weekend and picked up some sock wool (Christmas presents, don't tell). Tina's are a really good price and she has nice selection. I also treated myself to a new book. It was a bit expensive but Grandma talked me into it. Like she says; " you'll use most of the patterns for presents anyway"

Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I have some of her other books and this one doesn't disappoint. I have a number of these old patterns, but the originals don't give gauge or real wool suggestions. Nancy has done all the hard work of "translating" the old patterns into modern knitting English and modern wool suggestions. I can't wait to try it.

Knitting Circles Around Socks by Antje Gillingham. This book has revolutionized the way I make socks (and sleeves for that matter). Anyone who has wanted to make socks but thought they were too fiddly and take too long -read this book!! I now whip out socks two at a time. I may even make a pair for Daddy's size 11 feet :)

Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I've had this book for a number of years. I sometimes just read it. Elizabeth has such a nice "chatty" style, it's like hanging out with a friend who just happens to be a knitting guru. This book is great for your knitting confidence. Elizabeth encourages you to feel your knitting and not be a slave to a pattern. She is also a big believer in circular knitting; i.e., having as few seams as possible. This not only makes the finished project more comfortable to wear/use, it means fewer ends to sew in and seam.

Book Reviews

I was going to add a column to the blog to talk about books I enjoy. I couldn't make Blogger do what I wanted, so I thought I'd just do a post from time to time. I LOVE to read, but don't have the time anymore. Back in "the day", if a book wasn't over an inch thick, it wasn't worth buying because I'd be done way too quickly.

So here's what I've been reading lately:

A Mother's Rule of Life -Holly Pierlot -I'm not quite done this book, but it has been a good read. I've gotten a lot of good ideas. Holly is Catholic, but her principles could apply to any Christian household. This is the kind of help I need -ordering our days. Some days I get a lot done, others next to nothing -I need to work on that.

Amish Women: Lives & Stories -Louise Stoltzfus -This is a good book, gives an insight into the lives of these women. But it's very small and very quick to read. I would suggest borrowing this book if you can. In fact, if anyone wants it, let me know and I'll mail it. <- sorry everyone, Niki was the lucky first one to respond.

Real-Life Homeschooling -Rhonda Barfield -This book wasn't as good as I hoped. I was hoping for much more of a "how to". Not a bad read.

Homekeeping Handbook -Martha Stewart -Ah, the Domestic Goddess herself! This is a really good reference book for taking care of your home. Lots of great information. The thing to remember is not to get overwhelmed. Pick and choose the things that need to be done around your home, don't try to do everything. Remember, Martha has staff -most of us don't.

Isabella Beeton's Book of Household Management -This is THE original homemaking book. Isabella Beeton was the first to use proper measurments in her recipes. If you love history, this is the book for you. It was written to help the new emerging middle class housewife. It tells everything needed for running an early Victorian home, from the jobs required of the various servants to how to run a sick-room to various legal documents. I sit and read through this book at least once a year. I've used a few recipes too.

Have a New Kid By Friday -Kevin Leman -Please don't get the idea that I have a difficult/troublesome child. Ella is a perfect joy, most of the time. But she is also rather strong-willed/spirited and we have some issues that need to be stopped now before they get out of hand. It doesn't work to discipline Ella like when I was a kid, it just gets her more and more upset and accomplishes nothing. Dr. Leman has some interesting ideas that I will try, though he raised 5 kids, so some of his ideas don't work with just one. He's a Christian father and it's nice to have the biblical examples.