Blogcritics Author: Alyse Wax

Book Review: French Girl Knits by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes

Alyse Wax — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 06:49:33 EST

A beautiful collection of delicate, feminine knitting patterns.
French Girl Knits by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes is the latest knitting book loaded with gorgeous patterns from the people at Interweave Press. The nearly 20 patterns within were all inspired by different aspects of French life and history. “Satine” is an airy fan-lace tunic with scalloped edges. “Sophia” is a dense lace...

Book Review: Buyology - Truth and Lies About Why We Buy by Martin Lindstrom

Alyse Wax — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 05:15:36 EST

Lindstrom presents an interesting theory, one that definitely deserves some study, but I didn't quite buy it with this book.
Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy by Martin Lindstrom is an interesting concept with a poor execution. Lindstrom is a marketing and branding expert who has worked for some of the world’s biggest companies, helping them figure out how to market their products.Buyology is the culmination of a three year scientific study into how...

Book Review: Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush and The Harmony Guide - 101 Stitches to Knit by Erika Knight

Alyse Wax — Sun, 4 Jan 2009 08:55:56 EST

Embellished knits for every level of knitter.
In Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions, author Nancy Bush offers a history lesson and knitting lesson all in one. Estonian lace techniques are often called Haapsalu lace, after the seaside town where it originated. Haapsalu lace is characterized by a stockinette-stitch ground, with patterns knitted on the right-side only,...

Book Review: Glam Knits - 25+ Designs for Luxe Yarns by Stefanie Japel

Alyse Wax — Sun, 4 Jan 2009 07:44:08 EST

An indispensable collection of sexy, wearable knits.
Glam Knits by Stefanie Japel is a collection of over 25 knitting patterns made for glamour girls with luxe yarns. Japel previously wrote the wildly popular Fitted Knits so you know this one will be good. The knits within are unique, glamorous, flattering, and just all-around flattering. The stunning models -- made up like pin-up girls with finger...

Book Review - You Idiot: The First Book by Nate Gangelhoff

Alyse Wax — Sat, 3 Jan 2009 19:04:57 EST

A reprint of some not-too-old zines, full of bizarre and irreverent product reviews.
Once upon a time, in the magical land of the 1990s, there was a DIY trend towards zines (independently-published booklets have been around for decades, but came into their own on the 1970s punk scene – the movement was popularized as the years went on). Zines were (and still are, to a lesser extent) small, independently-published magazines...

Book Review: Knitting Socks With Handpainted Yarn by Carol L. Sulcoski and Cute Knits for Baby Feet by Sue Whiting

Alyse Wax — Sat, 3 Jan 2009 08:39:49 EST

From �Flame Thrower Socks� to the ill-at-ease �Bobble-Socks� effect: This "Knit Picks" entry features a pair of socks-knitting books for all age groups.
A pair of books for you today: keeping toes warm at any age. First up is Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol L. Sulcoski. Handpainted yarns are one of the most coveted yarns by knitters. Often created in small batches by artisan spinners, these yarns combine two, three, four, or more different colors. The color changes don’t often...

Book Review: Color Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd

Alyse Wax — Fri, 2 Jan 2009 18:45:48 EST

A wonderful collection of patterned knits, from stripes to fair isle.
Color Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd is a collection of 17 knitting patterns designed to show off color work. All three major methods of color work are utilized: mosaic or slip-stitch, intarsia, and fair isle. Tutorials are offered for each method, along with tips and secrets for managing color changes; however, these patterns are a little...

Book Review: The B List - The National Society of Film Critics on the Low-Budget Beauties, Genre-Bending Mavericks, and Cult Classics We Love by David Sterritt and John Anderson

Alyse Wax — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:39:17 EST

A subpar collection of essays on "B-List" movies.
The B List: The National Society of Film Critics on the Low-Budget Beauties, Genre-Bending Mavericks, and Cult Classics We Love is a collection of essays on some of the most influential, bizarre, and low-brow films in history. Edited by David Sterritt and John Anderson, contributors include David Ansen, Jami Bernard, Roger Ebert, Carrie Rickey,...

Blu-Ray Review: Day of the Dead

Alyse Wax — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:45:28 EST

A surprisingly decent direct-to-DVD zombie flick
2008’s Day of the Dead is a very, very loose remake of George Romero’s original. Remake isn’t really the word… reimagining? Inspired by? In Romero’s Day of the Dead, the world is already overrun by the undead masses, and the few remaining humans (mostly military and scientists) are holed up in an underground...

Book Review: The Abs Diet For Women by David Zinczenko

Alyse Wax — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:46:09 EST

A healthy mix of diet and exercise to flatten your belly and get a leaner body.
The Abs Diet for Women by David Zinczenko promises to be the “six-week plan to flatten your belly and firm up your body for life.” I admit, I did not have the dedication to do the actual six-week plan. This is not the book’s fault; I am just unfocused. The book is loaded with recipes, exercises, tips, and a comprehensive diet...