Tuesday Reviews-Day: How Lo-Lo Can You Go?

I don't know about you, readers, but this cold, dry, winter air really takes its toll on my hands. Combine that with the constant handwashing and sanitizing that I do at work, and it's lucky that they don't just quit on me! Fortunately, this year, I have a new secret weapon.

Enter: Lo-Lo

 Back in the summer time, I finally indulged my curiosity and ordered a Lo-Lo Love Sampler Pack from the Bar Maids. I chose five scents: Peppermint Peggy, Pink Grapefruit, Toasted Coconut (my favorite!), Vanilla Cake, and Coco Mango. They arrived at my door super quickly, and it was love at first sight... smell... feel...
Fast-forward to the winter months: it's been the coldest January that PA has seen in a few years, and my hands are doing better than ever, thanks to Lo-Lo! My hands are moisturized without being slimy, waxy, or sticky. I can choose a light, happy fragrance to suit my mood. Unlike the "moisturizers" I've gotten at big-box stores or the mall, they're made from natural ingredients and not alcohol-based, so they don't leave my hands constantly needing more product. The little samplers are so cute and can go with me anywhere and everywhere: in my desk at work, in my purse, in the car... I'm never without Lo-Lo now. And the good news is: you don't have to be without Lo-Lo either!
The Bar Maids have kindly offered to share the Lo-Lo love by providing a coupon code to one of my lucky readers for a free Lo-Lo Love Sampler Pack! They'll even cover the shipping up to $1.80, because they are so fabulous. Want to get in on the action? Simple. Just leave a comment on this post and tell me which of the amazing scents you'd like to try! I'll draw the winner next Tuesday, February 5th.
What are you waiting for? Go get your Lo-Lo on!

Tuesday Reviews-Day! Plus, A Giveaway!

I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to review a copy of Hobbit Knits by Josie Mercier! I received a review copy of this pattern collection from the designer, and I'm excited to share my impressions with you.

The pattern collection contains a total of five patterns: the Pony Rides in May Sunshine Fingerless Mitts, Elvish Singing Shawlette, Pocketses Vest, Mirkwood Satchel, and the Beorn Cabled Cardigan. The designer provides a nice description with each pattern of how it relates to the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, for which the collection is named.

The instructions for all of the projects are very thorough (the collection as a whole totals 36 pages), and the designer includes helpful notes such as the following: "Note: for those who wish to print off only the pattern essentials, this information is on pages 4, 5and 6 of the pattern." The layout is clean and simple, and does not overwhelm the eye. For the most part, the yarns used in the pattern should be familiar and readily available to most knitters, however, I would have liked if the weight of each yarn were included to make substitution easier for those who don't have access to the yarns used, or who wish to work from their stashes.




 The Pony Rides in May Sunshine Fingerless Mitts come in three sizes and include both written and charted instructions.

The Elvish Singing Shawlette includes both charted and written instructions. It is worked in fingering weight yarn.

The Pocketses Vest is my personal favorite of the five patterns in this collection. It comes in six sizes ranging from a 29.5" bust up to a 49" bust. It includes a schematic, as well as the written instructions. The designer takes care to warn the knitter when the ever-dreaded "at the same time" is coming, by noting that at the beginning of the section.

The Mirkwood Satchel is another one of my favorites. It includes both charted and written instructions for the cable section. I love the cabled strap! This bag features a zipper closure, but does not provide much detail as to the installation of the zipper. If the knitter, like me, lacks experience in inserting zippers, s/he will likely need to consult a friend, forum, or video tutorial for help with this step.

Finally, we come to the Beorn Cabled Cardigan, an absolute masterpiece in cables. This cardigan, once again, includes both written and charted instructions, as well as a schematic. It is written for four sizes ranging from a 33" to a 48" bust, and is designed to be worn with a few inches of positive ease. I do wish that it came in a slightly larger range of sizes, (i.e. more sizes within the established range), because my measurement falls in between sizes. With the amount of intricate cabling, however, it is certainly understandable that the math could prohibit that.

Overall, I really like all of the patterns in this collection, and I'm looking forward to making a few of them, especially the Pocketses Vest. I really admire how Josie Mercier was able to interpret the elements of the book into wearable fashions that don't look like costumes.

If you like the patterns as much as I do, they are available for purchase through Josie's Ravelry Store, both as a collection and individually. You can also enter to win a copy of the entire collection right here on the blog! Just leave a comment about which pattern from the collection is your favorite, and you'll be entered to win. The drawing will take place next Tuesday, 1/15/13. Don't forget to include your email address or Ravelry ID so that I can contact you if you're the winner!