I was really unimpressed with this book. Good news first: The patterns are well written and the information provided throughout the book is very useful. It is a good starting point for ideas, such as knitting with materials other than yarn (e.g. plastic, twine, wire, fabric, etc…). But there is not a single pattern that I will be making and I cannot imagine how this collection was put together. Seriously, would you honestly want to spend your time and effort knitting a lining to go into a hanging basket and get covered in dirt & soaked with water? Or knitting an intricate cable & bobble cover for your armchair?! Props to you if that’s your kind of thing but it is just not my taste at all. I suppose the patchwork blanket is a good idea for using up odd balls of yarn, but it’s just a bunch of knitted squares sewn together and it didn’t take a lot of imagination to create that design. The only pattern that I really liked was the ‘barcode’ dog jumper and I don’t have a dog :(

This is a fun and interesting mystery about a knitting-related murder. We get to know the main character Ari and her close friends, but there’s not much character development going on. The story mainly focuses on the dialogue between charcters and keeping the action moving. It’s a good pageturner, and there is a new revelation at the end of each chapter which keeps the pace of the story going and makes you want to carry on reading. A quick and easy read, good for anyone with a love of crafts and knitting. There are also 3 free knitting patterns at the end of the book, suitable for knitters of any skill level.

I’ve read and enjoyed other knitting stories, but this one really grabbed my interest. It’s a clever little plot and I honestly didn’t figure out the killer until it was revealed at the end. The ending is very swift and leaves it open for the author to continue the series so you’ll have to read the other books to see where Kelly ends up. I thought the style of writing and emotions displayed by the characters was more developed than some of the other knitting mystery books I’ve read, and I like the bold personalities that the author has created for her characters. In my opinion it’s a good book, and I hope the rest of the series is as fun to read.

The book also includes knitting patterns for a chunky scarf and a shell top, and there is a recipe for the cinamon buns – all are refered to through the book so if you’re inspired to get creating the information is all there for you!

This is the third knitting murder mystery that Kelly has found herself mixed up in. The crime seems a bit darker than in the previous books, but a lot of the story is centered around the many events happening in Kelly’s life, and we get to see how her relationships and career are developing. There’s also some interesting references to the art world – especially ‘wearable art’ – which captured my imagination and will be fascinating to other creative fibre-loving types out there. As usual there is a free knitting pattern, this time for a triangular shawl, and there’s a few chilli recipes as well.

This is the fourth in the series by Maggie Sefton. There are even more characters introduced into the story and it becomes a little complicated to follow everyone’s side-plots and background. But the mystery is interesting and Kelly is likeable as ever. Things are finally starting to go right in Kelly’s life and it’s nice to see how she is adjusting to the move and what lies in store for her now she’s settled. Not a deep or challenging book, but a nice read with sweet characters and fun dialogue.
The book also includes a pattern for a cable knit scarf and a mint chocolate fudge recipe.

This DVD will satisfy your immature side and have you giggling like a naughty school kid in no time. Taking hints from the old slapstick comedy silent movies, there is no dialogue throughout and the tone of the scenes is set by extremely well chosen pieces of music.
The idea behind it all is simple: the teddy bears are invading! They’re everywhere – swarming in the garden, spilling out of the cupboards and hiding in the cereal. Our unseen heroes must get rid of them all and have chosen to do so in weird & wonderful ways.
Prepare yourself to see cute and fluffy little teddy bears being annihilated by means such as electric shock, fireworks, guillotine, cooking, axe, fire, road accidents, guns…and so on.
I felt kind of guilty for enjoying this – poor teddies! – but it’s lots of fun and is very funny to watch.

This is a delicious strong-smelling balm, really warm and comforting. It is quite light compared to the other Lush lip balms, more like a gloss really when you put it on your lips you get a pretty shine as well as soft skin – bonus! I’m addicted to this now, the only problem is how quickly I seem to use it up!

This smells and looks just like set honey! It has a hard, thick consistency but warms up to the touch and spreads onto your lips quite easily. This is very effective at softening dry flaky skin and I didn’t need to re-apply throughout the day like I do with some of the oilier lip balms that seem to just disappear! Definitely an essential item.

I’m not mad about floral scents but this was so pretty I just had to try it! Not too overpowering, and made for a nice soak. Made my skin and my bathroom smell fresh and clean.

Ooh my favourite ballistic so far! This smells delicious and feels really silky on your skin when you’re soaking in the bath. Lovely product which I will definitely use again.