French Girl Knits Accessories: Modern Designs for a Beautiful Life
*Starred Review* An admitted Francophile, which shows both in her adoring narrative and her 2009 book French Girl Knits, Griffin-Grimes fills her follow-up title with paeans to the art of French life and its bon gout—not just in dressing but also in the way of living. Per Coco Chanel’s dictum, Fashion fades; style is eternal, the author-designer piles our plates high with 16 designs for hats (toques and berets, too), shawls, and wraps, all lovingly named after one Gallic inspiration or another. At the beginning, we’re treated to word pictures of morning, noon, and night in France, and the various habits and desires of its populace, both native and expat. Her devotion to le français extends to an insistence on details, as shown in her instructions, sidebars, color photographs, and illustrations. Choose from Jasmin (head scarf) or Tartine (striped hat), from Tutu (slippers) or Tattoo (shawl). Every item includes words of wisdom—e.g., working a gauge for circular knitting—and meticulous directions. One caveat before a rush to fashion any of her latest: most projects have been designated for the more experienced knitter. --Barbara Jacobs