There are lots of simple and quick to stitch items here, just what you want in a book of this kind. I was particularly taken with the Advent calendar, which I thought was a cute idea. Nice use of color throughout and very clear finishing instructions. However, there is a glaring error in one chapter that keeps me from recommending this book. A graph of a Jewish star done in flowers is included, which is a lovely idea, except for one thing. A large percentage of the flowers look exactly like crosses. This would make the design totally unusable, and make the book, a VERY doubtful choice for a Jewish stitcher’s library.
-- Out of print available on Amazon.com used
The opening section of this book is not only helpful but fascinating. There’s lots of useful information on thread, fabric, and tools. The cross stitch section is similarly wonderful with some beautiful charts (note that no color/floss key is provided for the motif chart), as is the one on pattern darning. The rest of the book is pretty good too, with excellent pictures and diagrams, but the “all things to all people” approach leaves a lot to be desired. The attempt to cover any and all things counted thread means that none is really explored, and that the information is really thin in each area. If you’d like a quick survey of the subject, then this would be a good choice. Otherwise you are better off getting a book that covers each specific technique.
-- Out of print available on Amazon.com used
Go buy this book. Don’t bother reading the review just go and buy it. You will never find a better book on the subject. Each chapter covers an area of Hardanger, broken up into lessons. Each lesion had detailed diagrams and close up pictures of the techniques. It’s almost impossible to make a mistake or to misunderstand what is going on. We progress from kloster blocks to needle weaving, then to progressively harder graphs and designs. The book finishes with 25 projects for you to go off with on your own. This would be perfect for a person without access to a teacher, and equally good for someone who would like a detailed reference work.
--Available fro Stitchers Paradise and other online merchants
The Anchor Book of Handanger Embroidery
This excellent little book should be on the shelf of anyone who does Hardanger. It packs a ton of Information in a small space. The bulk of the book consists of a listing of stitches. Each has a clear explanation, diagram, and photograph. A chart is provided for each photo in the second section. Did any of the beautiful pieces in the photos illustrating the book catch your eye? Well you’ll be able to make them yourself using the charts and instructions in section three. This is an excellent, and perhaps essential reference, but not a book for a beginner to learn from.
--Available from Barnes and Noble.com and other online bookstores
Hardanger Basics and Beyond by Janice Love
Another excellent beginner’s book. Not only do you get very detailed explanations of what to do in each stitch, but also what not to do. Descriptions of each technique end with two sections of tips, one for beginners one for advanced stitchers. I thought this was a wonderful feature adding to the usability of the book. There is an inspiring section on how to design your own pieces, and a very helpful section on identifying errors. A worthy addition to any library.
-- Available from Nordic Needle
Celtic Cross Stitch Samplers – Angela Wainright
I wish I could have liked this book more. I love Celtic designs, and had high hopes for this book. But the colors just don’t feel right to me. Too many pastels are used. Where I’d expect to see earth tones, rusts, browns, and golds, I see mint green, pale yellow, and pink. The designs themselves are a matter of personal taste, but I honestly found them no more than ordinary and pedestrian. Your opinion may differ.
--Available from Amazon.com
Creative Backstitch takes a very contemporary approach to the old craft of blackwork. I almost hesitate to call this a blackwork book since so little of the stitching is done in that color. This is a wonderful and inspiring book, that will really open up your eyes to the possibilities of this ancient craft. It starts out with a brief, but interesting and informative, discussion of materials and finishing methods. The rest of the book is divided up by type of project, coasters, bookmarks, pincushions, sachets, cards and a gorgeous Celtic chess board. Each chapter has a section on finishing that supplements the information you got in chapter two. All the charts are easy to read, and have materials lists with thread conversions. I especially liked that each pattern is graded by difficulty and gives a time estimate for completion. A worthy addition to any library.
--available on Amazon.com and in local bookstores
