5 comments about Elegant Knotted Jewelry: Techniques and Projects Using Maedeup.

1. This is not macrame! This is wonderful traditional Korean knots that make up into beautiful jewelery. Looks like quite a challenge, and Becky even says so. But she assures you that once you start you will get the hang of it and be smitten with the wonderful projects you can make.



2. Global handicrafts hold a particular fascination for me. My husband and I had a Fair Trade Craft gallery for five years and tried our best to spread the powerful message of fair trade and the power of appreciation for the art and craft of other cultures. I have always loved to see the dialog that begins when a person from one culture is introduced to a craft from another and they begin to infuse it with their own unique vision. Becky Meverden moved to South Korea with her husband in 2007 and discovered the ancient art of knotting known as maedup (pronounced mae-doop.) She found a willing instructor and some partners in craft and together they studied this meticulous art form of intricate knots. Becky returned to the United States with a newly cultivated craft passion and beautiful photographs and stories to share.
   
   Her new book Elegant Knotted Jewelry is a joy to behold. The reader feels as though they are transported to another country and immersed into an exotic art form. Becky has created an array of stunning projects that incorporate the knots she shares in detailed step by step pictures in the front of the book. She infuses this ancient craft with her own modern twists adding interesting materials and accents. I loved the seed beads she wove into the Beaded Garakji bracelet, what a novel touch! Using CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements columns gives the Faceted Crystal Columns necklace an upscale appeal. Her use of color is exceptional and the designs are all modern and appealing. The book is filled with wonderful color pictures that guide you through learning the knots and recreating Becky's beautiful designs.
   
   If you're looking to expand your jewelry making or craft repertoire in new directions, this book will be a perfect addition to your library. Touch the 'art and soul' of South Korea through Becky's lovely photographs and stories and through her exploration of the ancient art of maedup. The language of craft is universal and these ancient art forms are rapidly disappearing. Kudos to Becky for her hours of patient practice and her willingness to share what she's learned with the rest of us. What a wonderful gift indeed.
   
   Margot Potter
   Author
   The Impatient Beader Series, Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed and Beyond the Bead



3. This book is good for beginner knotters (explained well) but do not expect to learn anything more than the basic knots. Lots of projects (jewelery) and some good recommendations on the tools and findings that work well with Korean cording projects. Gives you some good ideas but the projects are a little repetitive and use the same knots throughout. Friendly and amical content.



4. This book not only presents clear and simplified instructions to create intricate Korean knot work, or maedeup, into stunning jewelry, but it also allows a glimpse into the artist's journey of learning the process and life in South Korea. Everything is beautifully presented with colorful pictures that incorporate several different lampwork artists' glass along with other unique and some traditional findings as well; while some of the other designs simply showcase the exquisite knot work. I would highly recommend this book for the new skill you can learn, but just as much for the gorgeous photography!



5. Even if I had no intention of trying Maedeup, I would still love this book! The photos are great and Becky Meverden's background stories are entertaining. There is a great selection of creative jewelry designs, and easy to follow directions. A great addition to any jewelry designer's (or anyone's)library!

No comments about Inchies: Create Miniature Works of Art Using Textiles and Mixed Media Techniques.

5 comments about Needle-Felting Magic: Easy Machine Techniques and Projects (That Patchwork Place).

1. Clear instructions, great photos - can't wait to get started on the projects in this book!



2. The book is very instructiv with several projects. It's a very good book to start with if you want to learn machine needle-felting. A lot of beautiful pictures, too.



3. A friend and I worked through the pages and discussed the various techniques listed. We attempted to make the purse and are ready to make the lining and sew them together. Backs and fronts are completed and were lots of fun. We used various fabrics from cottons, sheers, nylon backed, synthetics and various fibers which were natural to synthetic. It was a test to see what would work and what wouldn't. Since we were working together, we discussed the good and bad results with various trims and embellishments.
   
   We're ready to add felting embellishments to further projects and recommend the book for those who don't know where to begin.



4. After seeing Margo's website & having her first book I was expecting a lot more from this book. This one is far more basic then the first book.
   
   Most of the techniques would be better accomplished with a sewing machine rather than a needle felt machine. Many of the items are going to break the expensive needles on one of these machines.
   
   These techniques are all covered in other better books and far more comprehensively, don't waste your money.



5. This book really gets the creative juices flowing. Even if I don't make any projects that are just like what are in the book, it gives me the desire to stretch my imagination! Her projects are a delight for the eye, and the colors she chooses are so luscious. Yes, the creations are for those people who "think outside the box" and who want to do something out of the ordinary. Just wish that there were many more pages to enjoy!
   I hope that there will be another book to follow this one from the author.

5 comments about MaryJane's Stitching Room.

1. I have loved all of Mary Jane's books and her magazine that I subscribe to. This particular book left me a little disappointed, I'm afraid. I really wanted to see more crafts than tatting, basic knitting and crochet stitches, etc. The little pin keepers were nice, but I'd seen that very idea on Martha Stewart's program a year or more ago. I loved the crazy quilt idea, which I really want to do someday. I grew up with one that we used at home! I hope Mary Jane creates yet another book for me to buy and love.



2. I would not hesitate to recommend or to give this book to anyone who likes to sew or knit or crochet. It is full of great ideas and it's such a beautiful book. I leave it out on my side table. I love all MaryJane's books. I love her attitude and her philosophy as well as her designs. This book has the most beautiful scarf pattern I've ever seen. Her photographs are top notch too.
   Buy 2. Someone will see yours and want it.



3. This is a very enjoyable book, with projects that are appealing and familiar. It introduced me to tatting, which I am now inspired to learn more about. It also includes a good primer for crochet, which I already know how to do, but it provides some interesting projects for making good use of the skill. The embroidery projects are fine, if a little predictable. I wish the section on cutwork was expanded (as well as tatting).
   
   I do have one beef with the book though; the inclusion of rick-rack earrings without any instruction on making them. The earrings are shown, a story is told about them and a great vintage clip from 1950s instructions is also present but the actual making of the earrings isn't provided.
   
   I would recommend this book to those looking to get their feet wet with handicrafts or for those who want a little essay (and farm girl style) with their craft instructions.



4. I have to admit I am a Mary Jane fan. She let me know that I wasn't the only one out there dreaming of old times. Her newest book is all about that. It may not be the best craft book out there but that is not what matters, it's finding your way if you yearn for what was; for a simpler life.



5. This book has very well written instructions for 35 plus handcrafts with vintage flair- but it is also a collection of wonderful stories written by one of the west's best writers! As a mama of two small children I love reading Butter's essays- they make me feel like I have just sat down for a conversation with an old friend. Mary Jane does a splendid job of reviving the tradition of handwork and my hands have been busy since I got it six months ago;)

5 comments about Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques.

1. I agree with the comments of Linda Lahse Lange that this is a superb book. I have never done work like the book shows; however, this book inspires me to want to learn how, especially attending a school like the Royal School of Needlework. I will be a beginner as to the techniques in this book, however, I know I can grasp them. I love art, especially elegant, creative art. This book portrays serious needlework. HURRAH FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques



2. I purchased this book several months ago, and have been very excited about trying out some of the projects outlined in the text. While the book has many beautiful ideas, the instructions provided to accompany the projects are very flawed. I have tried to complete three of the projects thus far,and every set of instructions has been full of mistakes. The text often inverts the color of threads to be used, leading the embroiderer to stitch in the wrong colors, or uses a different colored thread in the illustration than is indicated in the directions. Also, the instructions often tell you to buy certain colors in DMC floss, when those colors are only made by Anchor, etc. The projects are lovely, but the embroiderer must pay careful attention to the directions and often self-correct during the stitching process to complete the piece. Additionally, the binding is very poor in this book. After only a few uses, the pages began falling out. I had to disbind the book and place the pages in a three-ring binder to keep them together.



3. Excellent book for people who need an overall introduction to the various needlework techniques, with an easy to follow stitch guide.



4. Somehow the authors of this book have managed to provide inspiration and valuable information to beginners as well as experts in needlecraft. The authors display examples of the very best of the art of embroidery. It is wonderful to see what can be done in this gentle craft, and they are also provide a beginner's example of the essential technique. The visuals in the book are lovely and the instructions are clear and helpful. If you buy just one book on embroidery, I think this has to be your choice. Many hours of enjoyment in just one book.



5. This is a wonderful book. I can't believe how much technique they packed into so few pages. This is not a '70's artsycrafty "You Too Can Do This Useless Little Project" book. This shows how the various techniques are done and shows one particular design done in all the different ways. You really get an idea of the contrast of the different effects. Then the creative part is up to you. You find a design you like or design something of your very own and then pick the technique you want to use to show it off to best advantage. Creative beginners can use this book. There are no yarn pictures of Sun Bonnet Sue in this book, it is beautiful embroidery and how to do it, then it let's you be creative!!!

2 comments about Sophisticated Stitches: Designs for Quilting, Applique, Sashiko & Embroidery.

1. The book is full of lovely designs that are art deco in feel. But, despite the author's assertion to the contrary, most of them do not easily lend themselves to machine stitching. It would require a great deal of sewing back over lines already sewn in order to do these on a machine. The designs would be easier to do by hand -- I don't know anything about sashiko and so can't comment on that.
   
   Also some of the shapes do not readily fit into a square, so they would not work well on a quilt. So I will enjoy the designs on the printed page, but am unlikely to use them in fabric.



2. I have found this book not only full of easy to understand techniques but it also contains some wonderful patterns. Don Linn definately knows what he's talking about. I have already preordered his next book which is due on March, Design Art Deco Quilts, and am anxious to get it.
   Thank you for sharing your knowledge of machine quilting.

5 comments about Wonderful 1-fabric Quilts.

1. Book does not present any really new technique, and goes on and on doing so. It would have been nice to see images of the fabric prior to cutting, not just the finished product.



2. Great book. Instructions are easy to follow. Service was great. Received book promptly, packaged nicely. Thank you.



3. This quilt is a lot of fun to do, but does take some thinking. I think it would be more fun with a group (which is what we did). When purchasing your fabric, get a lot (6-8 yards) in case of mistakes and make sure the print has high contrast. Pale fabrics are pretty, but don't have the "wow" effect that really makes this quilt. Smaller stripes are also better - mine was 14 1/2" block (repeat) and it made kaleidoscope blocks rather than the two patterns. It's cute, but not what I expected. Fun and you definitely want to do a second (or more).



4. This book is going to be a lot of fun.
   Looking forward to the challenge of a new way to use fabrics.
   Great presentation.



5. This is a great idea but the instructions are way too vague. Would have been helpful if all examples shown would have shown the fabric and where the cut was made. Saying to cut 42 squares without considering size of repeat really makes it hard to estimate actual size of your quilt & fabric to buy. Does not give size of examples squares. Also, makes a difference where on stripe you begin and end cut. Great idea but this book just leaves you hanging. I am an experienced quilter and so is my friend who tried this at the same time and we both drew the same conclusion.. this is the poorest written quilting book we have ever bought. Also, book tends to separate at the binding with minimal use and no folding.

5 comments about More Sensational Knitted Socks.

1. Make no mistake, this is a great book and I bought it for my bookshelf. However, knitter beware. I thought that sock construction information, such as short row heels, toe up socks and the like, would be covered as well as sock stitch patterns. Wrong.
   
   For example, the method for explaining short row heels is not clear and uses about 30 stitch markers. I even went and bought jump rings to be able to follow the instructions until I realized the method was crazy. Toe-up sock instruction is labyrinthine at best and unintelligible at worst. You have to skip from heel part to heel part to follow her directions. I have knit many toe up socks but I absolutely got lost with her methods. I ended up going on-line to find tutorials and then when Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One came out, that became my go to resource for sock-related stitches and construction.
   
   Also note that SKS books use very little negative ease when suggesting the number of stitches for foot sizes. This is stated clearly by Ms. Schurch, but not all readers may find that passage.
   
   Having said that, I use this book frequently to find great stitches and top-down heel options. It takes a while to get used to, but the information is solid.



2. I absolutely love this book. Along with a toe-up sock knitting book such as Toe-Up! Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting Into Shape, you can create a wide variety of personalized socks. Using the technique worksheets in Toe-Up! & a stitch pattern from this book, you can knit an endless variety of socks in a wide variety of techniques & stitch patterns. Or, if you are a beginner to intermediate, you can take your favorite techniques and incorporate them with any stitch pattern. This book & its companion stitch dictionary Sensational Knitted Socks were some of the first sock knitting books I bought & a few years later I still use them on a regular basis.
   
   My favorite use for them is finding patterns that work well with variegated & self-striping yarn. I love the chevron & ripple patterns in both of these stitch dictionaries. I have made socks many of those patterns from both of these stitch dictionaries.
   
   I am also looking forward to trying the stranded & tessellated patterns with many colors. I am trying to learn intarsia & fair isle. i just bought Alice Starmore's recently republished book Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting. Once I get more confident knitting fair isle with worsted weight yarn, I will try it with sock yarn.
   
   To help me knit socks with more advanced techniques, I found Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork from Wendy Knits. I will also knit some of these patterns before I attempt some of the stitch patterns from this book. I just pre-ordered Toe-Up Socks for Every Body & I am sure it will give me more instruction & help on how to do lace & fair isle socks so I can tackle more of the challenging stitch patterns in More Sensational Socks.
   
   If you are serious about knitting socks, buy this book & the original book (Sensational Knitted Socks). Beware, sock knitting is addictive!



3. This is a very nice book! Charlene Schurch outdid herself with this book :) This book along with her other book Sensational Knitted Socks are the only 2 sock books you will ever need. The directions and patterns are top notch. This book is a must have for every sock knitter :)



4. This book has great sock ideas with easy to follow patterns. Lots of fun.



5. This is another great book to give you inspiration in your sock knitting. While this book is very similiar to her other sock book, I feel that this one has more information in it regarding cast ons and bind offs. There is information on different heel flaps and toes as well.
   
   Use this book for inspiration along with the book Simple Socks: Plain and Fancy (for the wonderful short row heel and toe it teaches.) You could knit a long time with these two books.

5 comments about Bead Knitted Bags: 10 Projects for Beaders and Knitters.

1. Book arrived in perfect condition, it was in perfect condition and packaged in perfect condition. A 10 !



2. This is a nice book that explains all basics for bead knitting in detail and contains beautiful patterns. It was easy to follow the instructions (even if I'm knitting "European style" which is only explained in a short paragraph).
   However, be aware that some of the word patterns contain some errors. Make sure to double-check the word patterns by comparing them with the graphs (visual patterns) that are also provided for each project. The author's website is listed in the book and you can find corrections to some of the errors there.
   I can only recommend this book it you want to try bead knitting!



3. Everything you could want in an instruction book, she takes you through it all. I've done other bead knitting, but this book is very helpful in all areas, now I can design my own knitted bags.



4. I had no idea this could even be done by knitting. These projects are beautiful and will make wonderful gifts!



5. I have been interested in bead knitted bags and this book is the first book on the subject in a long while. The wonderful suprise was the CD. You can choose to view right-handed or left-handed instructions. As a left-hander who learned to knit right-handed, the CD has the best examples of left-handed knitting I have ever seen. Even if you don't want to bead knit, the CD is worthwhile just for the left-handed knitting instruction. And the knitted bags are great too.

5 comments about 50 Baby Bootees to Knit.

1. I have mixed reviews about this book. The first pattern I've tried, I've found an error in. I don't like having to take a pen to my books and figure out what I should be putting in certain places. That- to me- is not a finished product. The pattern was for the slip-on shoe (this is a very simple, very basic pattern). After casting on 10 stitches, you should have 27 stitches, not the 23 it says you will have. It's easy to spot right away that this is a mistake because of the amount you should have before and after you do this step. Though an easy fix, this should have been caught before the printing of the book.
   Other reviewers have been saying that there are other errors in patterns that are not so easy to fix. I haven't gone any further into this book, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. I have another book (maybe even a total of 2 other books, I can't remember) by this author and the other books also have errors that you can't seem to track any professional fixes for. Her patterns are pleasing to the eye, but frustrating when they don't come out right because of pattern mistakes!
   I would also agree with the opinions that there aren't 50 different bootees in this book. Knitting something with a different motif (a heart instead of a star, etc.) on the front doesn't make it a different shoe. Nor does adding 1 row to the top of a design in a different color, or attaching tassels to the front of the toe. Some of the pictures of these finished projects are somewhat blurry, too. That can be unhelpful at points when the directions become vague.
   There are some positives to this book, however. Despite the error, the slip-on shoe pattern worked up very fast and was very easy to make. The pattern was also forgiving for those of us who could be better at seaming. The one downside to this particular pattern (like someone else mentioned in a review for several patterns) is that it doesn't have a whole lot to keep it on a fussy child's foot.
   This could be a problem. Despite that, I like that there are really easy patterns like that for beginners, but also more complicated patterns and things like fair-isle techniques for more advanced knitters. A book with different skill levels can grow with a knitter as they pick up the new skills.
   Most of the patterns are appealing, and a color change or a different button if you prefer can also improve the results from this book. With personal tweaks to projects, it makes the book just as useful to be able to use the patterns your own way. I, myself, don't care for some of the bootees (such as the jester ones with the bells, bobble shoes, or entrelac bootees) but that's just a matter of taste. Someone else may love them and disagree with me.
   As cute as some of these shoes are, one additional thing that I don't like is that just about all of the patterns are only offered in one size. You can only make something in 6-9 months, or only 0-3 months, you get the idea. I guess it's great if you just like the pattern and don't care so much about a specific size. But...wouldn't it be nice to have options, especially if you do need a particular size? No luck there.
   Overall, many great patterns and others that can be easily improved upon. Also, errors that may not be so simple to fix and limited sizes. If you're getting the book cheap and are willing to put up with some mistakes, this can be worth having in your closet for its potential.



2. and that's a really significant "but...". Some of the patterns work up very well. Others, well, not so much. And there is no way to find any sort of errata or corrections to mistakes in the patterns. When I looked online for such, I kept finding blogs which said "There doesn't really seem to be any way to find corrections to the mistakes -- and I'm really PO'd about it!"
   I actually contacted the publisher, figuring that they might want to know that a book they put out was getting such horrible reviews from readers. They directed me to the author's website -- in England -- which seemed to be mostly selling childrens' clothing. I filled out the comment box, asking if corrections were available anywhere for the patterns that seemed to have mistakes (or were badly written).
   That was something like six months ago. I'm still waiting.
   If you're a really experienced (read: advanced) knitter, and can figure out how to revamp the bad directions, it might be worth picking up. Otherwise, I would recommend getting out from the library, not buying it. Even the non-badly written patterns can have problems -- I did the "Bee Shoes" and had a lot of problems picking up the stitches for the edging around the ankle, because the count wasn't coming out well before the shoes were sewn up. I completely gave up on the "Polka Dot Socks" because -- cute as they were -- the pattern made no intuitive sense whatsoever and the stitch count on rounds was just wrong.



3. After checking this book out religiously from the library, I decided that I should probably buy it on Amazon.com. This book has the cutest bootees in it. They are classic and will never go out of style. I make them to give as gifts to my friends and family when they have babies. It is nice to have the instructions written out clearly and a good photograph to go along with it.



4. I absolutely loved the patterns in this book. Then I made a pair of socks and found the pattern errors on shaping and turning the heel. After doing some research I learned that Zoe Mellor is infamous for having errors in her patterns and it is REALLY hard to find the corrections. There are a few other patterns in this book that just don't make any sense. Save yourself the fustration of re-writing the patterns and buy a different book.



5. I bought this book anticipating a flurry or wonderful new booty/shoe/sock designs. What I ended up with was about 4 designs and lot of ways to change them up with diffferent color work, straps, buttons, etc. Most of the booties/shoes are constructed in 2 pieces, which I don't really like. I haven't actually sat down to try and make any of these designs because none of them have "called" me like I expected them to. Right now it's just another book on the shelf.