Celtic Needlepoint

These are just some of the words that will come to mind when you see the patterns in this book. Alice Starmore is a genius at bringing simple patterns to life with vivid colorways. Many of the patterns can be used for other projects or crafts, for example, using variagated yarns and converting a cushion to a sweater. There are patterns for all skill levels, from a bookmark to a rug. The photography is wonderful as well, and all of the items are placed in beautiful still-lifes. Alice Staremore's Celtic Needlepoint makes as nice a coffee-table book as pattern book. Highly recommended for lovers of fiber arts as well as Celtic arts.

This is the most thoughtfully laid out book of needlework I have ever seen--a friend and I wrestled for the only copy at a bookshop when it was between printings! Both the photos of Ireland and of the needlework "at home" are glorious. I've done a few of the designs and they've turned out wonderfully--my only caveat is that the graph colors can be difficult to distinguish, as is often the case with needlepoint charts, particularly British ones. Also, Appleton yarns can be hard to find in the U.S., but in these days of the internet, who cares? I'm confused by the other reviews as this is most definitely not a knitting book.

Alice Starmore has written an excellent book on Celtic Needlework, that includes Key & Spiral Patterns, Knotwork, Bird & Tree and Animal Patterns. Each project is wonderfully illustrated with large colour charts and detailed technical advice. I enjoyed changing the colours and inventing my own special touch