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Monday, August 18, 2025

Reviewing My Success with Wooden Knitting Needles

I made a recent purchase that I'm thrilled about. I purchased a set of wooden, circular knitting needles and I couldn't be more thrilled. There are many different brands of this style of needles available and I chose the Knit Picks brand based on reviews from others. I also liked the variety of colors available. I know that it sounds unbelievable but these wooden needles have allowed me to knit successfully after a lifetime of failed attempts to learn this skill even at a beginning level.

My first successful knitting project!

I have crocheted for decades. I learned how to crochet as a child. I was also taught how to knit at that time. While I love to crochet, I personally think knit stitches are gorgeous, that knitted items are prettier, and I always dreamt of being able to knit. However, I have tried multiple times throughout my life to learn this skill and always gave up very quickly. My left hand would not communicate with my right, the loops of yarn would fall off during the stitch, and sometimes part of an entire project would slide right off the needles. If this sounds like you, I hope you continue reading.

I have finally learned to knit! I have completed several swatches (small sections of a project to test size and to practice a stitch) and I am currently knitting a scarf. It is hard to believe that I have finally been able to successful knit. The secret for me seems to be circular, wooden knitting needles.

A friend at work was knitting and listening to my complaints of never having been able to learn to knit, despite all of my attempts over years. She asked what type of needles I had used. I had always used straight, aluminum knitting needles. She suggested that I try wooden needles. Her opinion is that they are not as smooth as aluminum needles and she believed that the stitches don't fall off as easily when using wooden knitting needles.

I ordered the Knit Picks wooden, circular knitting needle set that night. And with her reminders of how to cast on and do the stocking stitch, I was knitting the very day after they were delivered.

Knit Picks Options Circular, Wooden Knitting Needle Set

Interchangeable needs and cables
9 pairs of 4.75" long wood needle tips; US sizes 4-11 (3.5mm - 8mm)
4 black cables: 2 each in 24", 1 in 32", and 1 in 40" length (length refers to total length when needles are attached to the cables)
8 black end caps
1 cable connector and 2 metal tightening keys
flexible, vinyl 9" x 5.5" case with snap closure and two accessory pockets
a variety of colors to choose from
a rating of 4.5 stars in over 2,800 reviews on Amazon, on this date

With crochet hooks, I prefer aluminum hooks by far. I had noticed the "drag" or "friction" that occurs when I have used plastic, acrylic, or wooden crochet hooks. I prefer to fly along when crocheting with a easy-slide metal hook. I had never imagined that the "friction" with wooden knitting needles may prevent the loops from slipping from the needle, and may be the solution for me. Like magic, I have suddenly learned how to knit with these wooden knitting needles.

I have also found that the circular needles, with the attached cables, help me to manage my project and keep it from slipping from the needles. I highly recommend the Knit Picks Options Wooden Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set that I purchased. But there are many similar sets to choose from; a variety of sizes, accessories, and cases. If knitting has eluded you due to frequent dropped stitches, and difficulty holding onto the needles, wooden needles may be the solution for you too.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Sunday, August 17, 2025

Still Flipping Your Pillow for the Cool Side? Try Cooling Pillowcases Instead

Cooling Pillowcases: A Thoughtful Gift That Actually Made a Difference

A few years ago, for my friend's birthday, I gave her a cooling blanket. She has trouble with temperature regulation while sleeping, and I thought, maybe this could help. Well—it did more than help. She absolutely loves it. She has mentioned more than once how it has been a game changer for her sleep.

So when her birthday came around this year, I was back at it, thinking about what else might bring her comfort.

I'm at that age now where I try to give health-related gifts—things people will actually use and benefit from. The novelty stuff doesn't do it for me anymore. So, I decided to go with cooling pillowcases this time. And let me tell you… she was thrilled again.

Here's why cooling pillowcases are a surprisingly awesome gift—and why I think more people should try them.

1. Hot Sleepers Know the Struggle

If you (or someone you love) wakes up in the middle of the night feeling too hot, drenched in sweat, or constantly flipping the pillow to find the "cool side," cooling pillowcases are made for that. My friend has been dealing with this issue for years, and she told me that these pillowcases are precisely what she needed to help her stay more regulated at night.

2. They Feel Instantly Cool to the Touch

These aren't just regular pillowcases with fancy packaging. As soon as your skin touches them, you feel the coolness. It's hard to explain, but the sensation is real—and it lasts. The material is designed to pull heat away from the body, making it easier to fall asleep.

3. It's Better Sleep Without All the Fuss

No extra fans, no awkward cooling pads that slide around—just a regular pillowcase that feels fresh and light. It's such a simple swap to make, but it really makes sleep more restful, especially for those of us dealing with night sweats or heat sensitivity.

4. Gentle on Hair and Skin

One unexpected perk? The fabric is smooth and silky, so your hair and skin glide over it instead of rubbing against it. That means fewer tangles in the morning and less chance of waking up with those creased sleep lines on your face. A small thing, but a nice bonus.

5. Low Maintenance—Just Toss in the Wash

I like practical gifts, and this one's as low-fuss as they come. You don't need any special washing instructions. Just toss them in the machine, hang to dry or tumble low, and they're good to go. No fading, no pilling—just easy comfort.

The Pillowcases I Chose

The ones I picked have a lovely gradient design—very soft and modern. They use special cooling fibers (made with Japanese Arc-Chill technology, if you're into the details), which help draw heat away from the skin.

They're OEKO-TEX certified too, so no worrying about weird chemicals. There's a hidden zipper, which I appreciate because it keeps the pillow secure without anything poking out. All in all, they look good, feel cool, and are easy to care for.

Final Thought

If you're looking for a gift that's both unique and useful—especially for someone who struggles with sleep temperature issues—don't hesitate to try cooling pillowcases. My friend really appreciated hers, and I feel good knowing it's something she'll use every night.

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Invisible and Unsolved ~ the Invisible Series by James Patterson

Book Reviews of the Two-Book ‘Invisible’ series of novels by James Patterson and David Ellis

Synopses of the Invisible Series

Invisible

Emmy Dockery is an FBI researcher in Washington, DC who often finds patterns to crimes that seem to point her toward cases she believes the FBI needs to investigate. She comes across a great many unsolved cases all across the country which Emmy is convinced are connected. She becomes obsessed with finding a link between these cases, to the point where she even takes a leave from her job to continue gathering information on hundreds of kidnappings, rapes, and murders.

Everyone, including her ex-boyfriend, field agent Harrison “Books” Bookman, think she is crazy. No one believes her until Emmy finds a piece of evidence which cannot be ignored.

Could one person be responsible for all these crimes, even though no motives or murder weapons or suspects have ever been proved?

James Patterson takes you on a chilling and scary thriller in Invisible!

Unsolved

In this follow-up to Invisible, we find a series of perfect murders, each of which look like an accident. But as the bodies begin to pile up, Emmy Dockery realizes that something horrible is happening. She also begins to believe that her twin sister’s death in a house fire several months ago, believed to be accidental, is anything but!

Emmy has a unique skill at seeing connections others miss. As a result this has brought her an impressive string of arrests. But these cases where the victims all appear to have died by accident, seemingly with nothing in common, have not only baffled Emmy, but have left her findings so unbelievable that she cannot get anyone to investigate.

The FBI Director talks to former special agent Harrison (Books) Bookman, now running a book store called “The Book Man”, into returning to look into these cases because one of the suspects is Books’ ex-fiancee Emmy Dockery. Books accepts because he wants to prove the agency is wrong about Emmy.

But, someone else is also watching Emmy and waiting until the perfect time to strike!

Summary

In each book in this series, the villain is someone you would never suspect. I was fooled right to the end. Surprising endings indeed, typical of James Patterson. This was definitely a series well worth reading.

Read more reviews of books by James Patterson on Review This Reviews!

Read more book reviews at ReviewThisReviews.com

*Book Reviews of James Patterson's The Invisible Series was written by Wednesday Elf

The Invisible Series by James Patterson and David Ellis:

Invisible

Unsolved (Invisible Book 2)

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Friday, August 15, 2025

The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker Reviewed

I recently watched and reviewed Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker without realizing I had started watching the series out of order. I will note that it didn't detract from my enjoyment of "A Case for the Yarn Maker" since I didn't know what I didn't know. However, if you haven't started watching the series, you will wish to start with "A Case for the Winemaker", because it gives more background and initially introduces the characters.

For instance, in the winemaker episode, we see the opening of Ainsley's craft market and get a better feel for how it works. I loved the concept of the market, which is reminiscent of a crafts fair with individual booths. While the market was the site of the murder in the second movie, A Case for the Yarn Maker, the market was not really the focus.

We also see how a simple book club becomes a group of self-appointed "investigators" in a murder case. In a small town, everyone knows everything about everyone, except outsiders. In Sweet River, Texas, the book club simply can't resist a murder mystery in their own town!

It is obvious that the movies do not have to be watched in order, but I would recommend it so you have all of the background knowledge and information.

Synopsis of A Case for the Winemaker

Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the WinemakerWatch on Amazon
Subscription May Be RequiredWhen Ainsley McGregor discovers a murder victim in the winery, she knows it is impossible to immediately identity the murderer. No one is in the vicinity of the body and there is no apparent reason why anyone would kill someone in a winery.

With her criminology background, Ainsley can't just sit back and watch when her best friend's husband (owner of the winery) is the number one murder suspect. She, herself, questioned why he had changed clothes since she saw him earlier in the day.

It isn't hard for Ainsley to insert herself into the investigation since her brother, Ryan, is the town sheriff. He tolerates her interference because of her criminologist background and uncanny intuition. Together, the siblings really do make a fun team to watch. They actually talk to each other like siblings instead of colleagues.

Aside from the murder investigation, it is rather funny to watch the interactions between Ryan and his best friend, who seeks his advice on dating Ainsley.

________

Ainsley McGregor (Candace Cameron Bure) is the main character, but the series would not be complete without her brother, Ryan McGregor (Robin Dunne) and his best friend, Jake Trenton (Aaron Ashmore). Together, they make a wonderful trio of crime solvers who look out for each other.

More Cozy Mystery Movie Reviews

Gourmet Detective

A Healthy Place to Die (Gourmet Detective: Episode 2)

Death Al Dente (Gourmet Detective: Episode 3)

Eat, Drink and Be Buried (Gourmet Detective: Episode 4)

Roux The Day (Gourmet Detective: Episode 5)

More Great Movies Reviewed

Check Out More Movie Reviews at
ReviewThisMovies.com

The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker Reviewed by:

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Thursday, August 14, 2025

Peasants to Patriots - A Book Review

This carefully researched book of historical fiction takes place in the early days of the United States. It covers the time period just prior to the revolutionary war and continuing until the colonies become a country. It is particularly interesting that the author researched when his ancestors entered the colonies and their struggles through the early years of the new country.

This is the fourth in a series of books the author has written, tracing back his ancestors to Scotland, Ireland, Prussia and finally to the new world.

Book Summary

Peasants to Patriots: Book 4 by Dewayne Landwehr is a masterful blend of historical research and family legacy, brought to life through the lens of historical fiction. By tracing his own ancestors' journeys from Scotland and Ireland to the American colonies, Landwehr crafts a compelling narrative that immerses readers in the epic story of the Revolutionary War.

The strength of this book lies in its unique perspective. Rather than relying on broad historical accounts, Landwehr dives deep into the lives of his ancestors, recreating their experiences with vivid detail and imaginative storytelling. We see them face countless challenges, from the harsh realities of frontier life to the brutal battles of the war.

What sets this book apart is the way Landwehr weaves his ancestors' stories together with those of well-known historical figures. The encounters between his family members and legends like Daniel Boone feel particularly compelling, offering a glimpse into the interconnectedness of history. While rooted in meticulous research, the dialogue and personal moments are skillfully fictionalized, bringing the characters to life in a way that feels both authentic and engaging. For me, this brings history to life in a way that textbooks never could.

Landwehr's dedication to uncovering the past is inspiring, and his writing brings the struggles and triumphs of his ancestors to life. This book isn't just a historical account – it's a tribute to the people who shaped America, told through the lens of one family's journey.

For anyone interested in historical fiction, the Revolutionary War, or genealogy, Peasants to Patriots: Book 4 is a captivating read. Landwehr's passion for his ancestors and his craft shines through, making this book an enriching experience that draws readers into the tumultuous world of America's founding. I highly recommend this book!