5 comments about Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes.

1. This book is helpful to making free form jewelry that doesn't look like it's a mixmash of beads and findings just randomly put together. Once I did my first Wandering Path necklace I was hooked. The color palettes are fantastic! I felt I had a good sense of color to begin with. Now that sense is greatly expanded. If you bead and like color and adventure with your beads you must get this book.
   Love it~ love it!!



2. The recently-released Beaded Colorways: Creating Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes by my friend Beverly Ash Gilbert (2009, North Light Books, 128pp., $24.99). Even if you are not a beader or a jewelry maker you can appreciate not only the amazing handiwork but also the included removable custom color wheels that will be a help to anyone: artist, painter, decorator, photographer or lover of color. The book is perfect for those who think they can't match an outfit or choose a color for a wall.
   Beverly, is a brainy dynamo disguised as a wisp of a woman, humble and modest enough not to mention in her book that she is an engineer by degree and a former corporate-type who was able to break out of a constricting role and schedule to make time to develop her substantial talents and her eye for color.
   In fact, her first book was Eye for Color: Interchangeable Templates and Color Wheel System, available on her Web site. A color enthusiast herself, whose deep appreciation for color can be seen on her blog via her own breathtaking photography of her surroundings in Kirkland, WA and on her beloved Whidbey Island, Beverly takes great joy in sharing and teaching an appreciation for and understanding of color to anyone who is interested and curious or who feels they need a little help.
   Her open, sharing nature is evident as she shares color theory and bead-weaving basic to open her book. Even if you have never picked up a tiny little seed bead or a bead-weaving needle as was my case when I first met Beverly in the spring of 2008, she will gently guide you first through combining various beads and textures in monochromatic mixes she calls seed bead soups. As she warns early on, even non-beaders can get hooked on the beauty of the colors, enough to quite contentedly display the seed bead mixes in clear vessels as an object of decor - without ever having to make a thing! And she's fine with that.
   From understanding the uses of the color wheel and color relationships - complementary, analogous, etc., to learning about hue, saturation, value and more - Beverly helps students graduate to blending multi-color combinations that satisfy their own particular cravings for color in their surroundings, and of course in their beadwork.
   Besides the basic peyote stitch, which is basically sewing two seed beads together, and three-bead netting - both of which anyone can do (with proper lighting and eyeglasses if you wear them, or perhaps a magnifier) - Beverly explains freeform beadweaving, including freeform peyote stitch and freeform netting.
   While the finished projects in the book might look like intimidating works of art, Beverly breaks them down into step-by-step instructions with large photos and helpful hints along the way. She suggests color mixes and alternatives and shows how to blend the beads to create and eye-pleasing palette for the project. Her bead soups have tempting names like tropical surf and rain forest and autumn sunrise, enough to get even a color neophyte or reluctant beader to stick a toe in the water.
   By the end of my first day with Beverly, I had two gorgeous and very different pendants made, and I am all thumbs and wear bifocals! Her book offers more than a dozen colorful projects as well as a beautiful gallery of finished wearable art and plenty of resources and links to get you beading, or at least learning more about color.
   And if this isn't enough, and her book will leave you wanting more, you can find Beverly teaching around the country this year and signing books, at such notable events as Adorn Me (March), I Dream of Beading (April-May) and the national Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee in June. Her blog offers something for everyone, including an appreciation of family, food, good friends and nature, all as depicted by Beverly, a true gem herself.



3. I was disappointed in this book. Probably because my education is in interior design so color is not an issue with me. Primarily the book is useful to push me to try FREEFORM beadweaving which I haven't been able to do currently.



4. Freeform beading is THE reason I've been attracted to seed beading. Traditional seed beading hasn't appealed to my creative needs the way Beverly's freeform approach has. Her approach is beautiful, imaginative, inspiring, exciting, bold, and just FUN. The projects in the book are spectacular and dreamy. Beverly teaches the peyote stitch and 3-bead netting stitch to get you started. She also delves into the theory of color and provides a thorough primer. She teaches mixing colors drawing from lessons in nature where you have a rich depth of highlights and lowlights and variations. Having fun books like this makes color theory more enjoyable and approachable. I read the book for a few months before I had all the proper materials. I let the lessons on color simmer in my mind and the projects in this book have provided a lot of eye candy for my creative mind to play with as I dabble in new mediums. Now my creativity has even more fodder with this new medium and approach to color. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Beverly, for creating such a beautiful book. I don't really need any other books on seed beading. Yours is quite enough for me. :-)



5. This book is totally awesome. I can't seem to put it down. I projects are mind boggling and fascinated at the same time. The techniques are easy and pliable. I would recommend this purchase to anyone.

5 comments about Learning to Weave.

1. As a beginning weaver, I find the book very informative. Each of the techniques described are approached from different directions, allowing you to determine what works best for you. Not only are the how's given by the why's also, so there is a complete understanding of the entire process. It also includes a clear trouble shooting guide, that I have found helpful.



2. I recently acquired a nice four-harness floor loom, and although a number of my friends weave, they're all too far away for hands-on help. One of them recommended "Learning to Weave" by Deborah Chandler, and I have found this to be an excellent book. It explains all of the many new concepts, and with careful reading and taking my time, consulting the book each step of the way, I was actually able to warp my loom and begin weaving without any hands-on help at all... It is clearly written, assumes that you know nothing, and builds your skills in an orderly way.
   
   I recommend it to all first-time weavers - and even to people who have woven before, since you may discover tricks that make your weaving much nicer and more satisfying.



3. A classic that belows in every weaver's library. Written simply and concisely, it's a great adjunct to weaving classes or instruction.



4. Excellent book that covers all the basics that you need to know. I took a six week class in the spring, and still didn't know how to put the warp on the machine, with this book ... it makes a lot more sense. A must for anyone interested in weaving.



5. I inherited a floor loom with no instructions. This book told me, a novice, exactly how to dress the loom and what each part of loom did.

5 comments about Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool.

1. As some one who has been playing with and using drop spindles for over 35 years, going to sheep and wool fests and using fiber just about every day of my life, I can say that this is a fine book, not a GREAT book, but a fine one...for beginners and those who love them. I have somewhat managed to teach my husband the art of drop spinning, although there should be a written credo to marriage...find a teacher to teach your spouse and children and the rest will follow. Read this book in pieces, digest what it says and read some more...have this book in your library as a reference book. I do have hundreds of other that at one time were raved about, including In Sheep's Clothing, which I find horribly lacking, and yet I hold onto that book. There is a time and a place for everything, and for this book too there will be a time and a place! Truly loved and valued books are chewed on, dog eared and wretched in their appearance, but there in lies the beauty of them; someone thought of them to be worthy of their praise! Talk to people about spinning, watch, pick up tips, get old Spin-off Magazines, Betty Hockberg books, Alden Amous, and other authors, and beef up your library with this one. I call it library ballast!



2. I had just made my first drop spindle when I got this book and was trying to teach myself to spin. This book was very clear and full of super great info and very helpful. I would very much recommend this book to anyone starting out with spinning.



3. After so much hype I expected something special, but was disappointed to find a mundane rehash of the simple and obvious. Save your money; wish I had.



4. I've attended a couple of beginning drop spindle classes, and they give you a homemade spindle and a bit of coarse wool, tell you how to start it off and, when at the end of an hour you might have something that will hold the spindle and not drop it on the floor, tell you to go home and practice. So many questions unanswered! Why does the spindle do this, why does the fiber do that, what if you want to spin a different fiber, how do you know if you have produced something you can really use, etc., etc. Ms. Franquemont answers all the questions, and even gives a lot of special tips to make the process easier and more fun. And it's a really beautiful book, too! Highly recommended.



5. I didn't "respect" the spindle! Now I hold it in high regard! Abby Franquemont gives the how to's and whys of spindle spinning. I will try again to drop spin! Excellent photos.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Decorative Knots.

1. Excellent layout and graphics. Not as "complete" as the ABOK, but then again, what book is?
   
   Beginners, like me, will find good inspiration from this book.



2. This book is nice but seems incomplete. While the knots are well diagramed and fairly easy to follow, there is little to tell you how the knot can be used. The cover shows woven ropes/lanyards but this information is lacking. Yes the book claims to be about knots, and that it is. Hope the the author takes the time to write another edition including more weaving techniques.



3. I've been a functional knot tier for years, starting out when I worked in the film industry and had to rig lights with safety lines. You learn how to tie a bowline blind-folded. Now, I'm helping to teach knots to scouts, Cubs currently and later Boys. While I can teach half-hitch, blood knots, bowline, taught-line, etc., the boys get excited by "projects" not function. So lanyards & bracelets are pretty popular. I needed a book so that I could learn before I could teach. This book had quite a lot of mention and it seemed to get good reviews so I tried it out.
   
   It's pretty good. The selection of knots is fairly thorough (although I wouldn't call it "complete"). The instructions are geared more towards the experienced than the beginner though. I've learned quite a few knots from the book and I'm able to teach some of them to the boys, but I'm still having a heck of a time with other knots. I'm just finding the directions a bit difficult to follow. Overall, for the most part, the explanations are very clear. They're certainly concise. Unfortunately the book falls just a bit short for me.



4. I purchased this book to go along with the others I had owned previously. This book has many step by step pictures in large enough size you can clearly see hos the knots are tied. Even though I just got this book today, I am very well pleased with the purchase and can reccomend this book especially for the beginner knottier.



5. Not quite what I expected. Some of the diagrams were difficult to follow. Some of the animated on-line knot sites were more useful.

5 comments about The Handweaver's Pattern Directory: Over 600 Weaves for 4-shaft Looms.

1. I received this book as a gift and have found it to be a constant companion. It is clearly laid out, lots of wonderful pictures of the finished fabrics, easily read patterns, tie-ups and warping instructions. A great book if you are an intermediate weaver and have knowledge as to how to read the drafts. Tons of great ideas! Can't wait to try more!



2. Anne Dixon has created an excellent study and presentation of hundreds of drafts for the four harness loom. Each sort of weaving group is represented with colored pictures, a magnification of one per page, and clear instruction. It is possible to work with all the drafts easily. The book is must for every floor loom weaver.



3. This is a must-have for any weaver, especially if you have a 4-harness loom. It is not, as it has been billed to me, a replacement for Marguerite Davison's classic "Handweaver's Pattern Book," I'm still glad I have that book, but as Davison is getting hard to find and expensive, this puppy has appeared on the horizon just in the nick of time. It has several major advantages over Davison's book. The pictures of the samples are in color and take up most of each page so you can see how the weaves actually work. The colors are chosen not for attractiveness but to help you see what is going on with each weave. Many of the pictures also include magnified insets that let you to see either an important detail or the reverse side of the work. The spiral binding is a very nice, and very much appreciated, touch. If I have a quibble with Dixon's book, it is that she doesn't write as well as Davison. This is really more of an "Eyewitness Guide" kind of approach. But it is a fine book nonetheless.



4. This is a very good book and I am delighted to have added it to my library. In my opinion, this book replaces Davidson's classic pattern book, which has been the staple for 4-shaft patterns for oh so long. Although the patterns are identical for all intents and purposes (there being only so much you can do with 4-shafts), this book improves upon Davidson in the following important ways:
   
   1. Davidson is in black and white. The beautiful color images in this book add a dimension that hugely enhances the reader's understanding of patterns.
   2. Davidson's patterns are tiny and the directions are small, hard to read and there are a number of annoying errors that can mislead a beginner. The schematics in this book are really easy to follow and I have not so far found any errors. It is much more user friendly.
   3. This book has a spiral binding that makes it ideal for leaning on top of the loom open to any page.
   4. The book includes interesting and very clear explanations of the theory behind the weave structures.
   
   I heartily recommend this book to any 4-shaft weaver.



5. I am a beginning weaving student and purchased this book for a class project in which I needed to weave 3 distinctly different scarves from one warp....a challenge. This book shows many possibilities....some over my beginner level ...but certainly enough to use as a beginner and then look forward to as I progress. Lots of other vital information as well in the front of the book and great explainations. Don't know how helpful it would be without prior weaving instruction...but I learn better by seeing someone do the actual process. Photos are great and book lies flat with a spiral binding...love that it doesn't flop all over the place....pages are heavy and glossy and will hold up over time. I will use this over and over as a reference.

5 comments about Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn.

1. This is a superior book for the experienced spinner who never had hands-on lessons, or any other instruction. I've been spinning for 24 years and finally understand how and why to draft a certain way, how to control the type and size yarn I want to make, and improved methods of plying. There is a science to all of this, and it's nice to have this excellent reference for getting the job done. I've always wanted to make the yarn for the garment, rather than finding a garment for the yarn I made. Now I believe I can! This book also had less wasted space on drop spindles and types of fibers. Good detailed explanation on the differences in woolen and worsted methods as well as combinations of methods. Very good information on the why and how of plying. Excellent photographs showing close-up detail of drawing methods, manipulating fibers with hands, and .... everything. Lots of excellent photos. As direct result of the two books I purchased at the same time, I bought a McMorran yarn balance to better determine my yardage. This will be my go-to book when spinning, with the other as a back-up.



2. As a beginner, I find this book to be the most concise, accurate and easy-to-follow of any I've read. The author makes you feel immediately "at home" in front of the wheel -- and guides you with ease and authority through the steps necessary to get you started. I highly recommend this book for all beginners...and would suggest it contains invaluable information for those who may have enjoyed the art for many years.



3. I found the book very helpful especially with the pictures. Maggie Casey is very knowledgable.



4. I bought this book when I knew absolutely nothing about spinning, but I owned a wheel which is a serious investment.
   
   This book was so helpful with full explanations that weren't too technical, solutions to common problems and lots of pictures. Maggie has a way of laying the foundation so there's still room for you to develop your own style.
   
   If I were stranded on a deserted island with mountains of fiber and my spinning wheel I'd want this book with me.



5. The pictures and written explanations make this one of the best beginner spinning books I've purchased or borrowed. The additional information on spinning art yarns is very good and a main reason for my purchase. When I got my spinning wheel I kept the book open on various pages for drafting and spinning as an immediate reference. I would recommend this book for another person like myself that didn't have a clue as how to get started!

5 comments about Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving.

1. What a great book, I have a ashford knitters loom and there are now so many patterns I can weave, I can't wait to try them out I love to work met pick-up sticks
   
   Jacqueline
   The Netherlands



2. this has been the best book ever!! it shows diagrams pics and explains everything u can do on rigid heddle!! get this book!!



3. Excellent book. Everything you need to know about rigid heddle weaving is here and in easy, understandable language. Good illustrations and pictures. Good information and pictures of hand manipulated weaving designs such as Brooks Bouquet and Leno. Good projects also available in this book.



4. this is an excellent book for new weavers to have in their collection of reference books. it gives an in depth description of the rigid heddle loom, all it's parts and how they work, and gives a step by step description of many of the weaving techniques for the rigid heddle loom. the author teaches all these techniques through the weaving of a project that can become a table runner or a pillow--the learning can be productive!! every new weaver should have this book



5. Excellent rendered illustrations of process & equipment; good color photgraphs of projects and easy to follow directions. Since my only loom is rigid heddle -- it is great to not have to "interpret" directions & techniques for the other kind. Good book for beginners to intermediates.

5 comments about 200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave.

1. The book is packed with beautiful color illustrations showing step-by-step how to perform a particular feat. The only thing that has a down-fall with this product is the binding. The pages take a little effort to turn correctly.



2. I bought this book originally when I was looking for kumihimo books. Although it really isn't a kumihino book, I have found it to be a great resource. It's filled with examples of braids that can be created using a variety of techniques - weaving, macrame (knotting), twisting, and looping to name a few - and the photos are terrific.
   
   In addition to a fairly extensive section that provides an overview of the techniques covered and includes a lot of step-by-step photos, there are pages and pages of glorious color photos of a large number of cords created using the various techniques discussed. Another plus - a section on including beads in the cord and a section on finishing techniques.
   
   I highly recommend this book - it has endless uses are a reference.



3. Fantastic clear instructions for all of the basic ways to do the braids, twists, knots, loops and weaves. Then you can create the 200 examples, in total, that the author shows you. The information includes how the techniques look using different materials. The book is a very good reference for making all sorts of cords for interior decorating, jewelry, sewing and all forms of handiwork. All instructions and work are shown in color. Also the book is spiral bound in order to stay flat for easy use.



4. This book really is a great tool for learning to make knots and braids. There are illustrated pictures and detailed instructions. Even if someone has never worked with this type of craft they can use this book.



5. This book is colorful, easy to read and understand, comprehensive. I found nothing wrong with this book. Covers the basics well but has enough info for experienced braid makers to keep as a reference.

5 comments about Leather Braiding.

1. This is a good book for someone who wants to learn how to braid leather.



2. Small hard bound book is well written and illustrated. A very essential book to have in your hobby reference wall shelf to pull down for a special project. The illustrations of braiding are valid for more than just leather. Much of the old talents of the master braiders would be lost without documents like this.



3. It is a very good book that came to me in 'good' condition, the glue in the binding is extremely weak and a couple of pages have "popped" out but that's ok, I just photocopied the pages I needed, so I wouldn't completely ruin the book.



4. Although this book appears to be well written with good illustrations, I feel it is for the more advanced braider, not for beginners. If you have a base of braiding experience, it should be a good resource.



5. Leather Braiding is a shortened version of Bruce Grant's Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding and is excellent for learning a variety of braiding techniques. His step-by-step written and drawn instructions are invaluable.
   
   I strongly recommend this book.

5 comments about Folk Shawls: 25 knitting patterns and tales from around the world (Folk Knitting series).

1. Having long wished to acquire this book, I have now taken the plunge, feeling that I am ready to tackle some Cheryl Oberle lace patterns. The book does not disappoint. Beautiful, stylish, timeless designs. Can't wait to tackle a few of these. They are not too simple, nor too "clunky" because of large needles and chunky yarns. The instructions appear to be very thorough and clear, not intimidating, but just challenging enough to be interesting.



2. excellent variety .. beyond the beginning knitter .. looks like a challenge even on the most basic shawls ..



3. Folk Shawls is mostly a pattern book. There are many great anecdotes about the countries the shawls derive from, and historical information about how the shawls were derived. The shawls are all lovely, and range from simple to complex.
   
   Oberle does not waste the experienced knitter's time with a how-to section. There is a "techniques" chapter, but it only gives instructions for specific methods used in the patterns. These are methods that will probably be familiar to experts, but the chapter is informative for beginning and intermediate knitters.
   
   I say it's "mostly" a pattern book, but the construction of each design is broken down in such a way that a knitter of intermediate or higher skill level could adapt it for a different yarn and gauge. So in that sense, it is also a book of inspiration.



4. My book took less time than I expected and the book was in better condition that described.
   I would buy from this vendor again
   2 thumbs up AAAA+++++++++++



5. After burning out my eyes and hands on doing numerous lace weight projects, I was thrilled when a friend introduced me to this book. Not only does it have a wonderful collection, but a number of projects are non-lace weight, a sorely needed respite. Additionally, finding a book that I have done multiple projects from is no small feat as many knitters know. It is easy to modify patterns to your liking, e.g., I modified the Wool Peddler's Shawl and omitted the lace chart, added a yarnover eyelet row and a small ruffle. I'm hoping to making the Indian Wrap for a friend of mine who hosts sweat lodges. The Rebozo takes my breath away. Another great point is that so far, the yarns are still available!! How many times have I come across patterns in which the yarn has been discontinued. Folk Shawls brings attention to one of my favorite yarns (Harrisville Designs), as well as other easily obtained fibers. A "go-to" book that will be relevant throughout my knitting experience.