Cross Stitch Myth & Magic

I got this book so I could stitch the wizard, but really appreciate the smaller designs and ideas extracted from the large designs. This book shows how embroiderers can exploit and re-use design motifs to decorate functional items. The coloured stitch patterns are clear and easy to use.

What I appreciate most about the patterns in this book is the variety. Although there is a preponderance of the concepts prevalent in the West, there's also a nice section of Asian images (Indian, Chinese), as well as a few that could be termed "pagan" (the Frost Fairy design, a striking pattern in whitish threads on a blue background). It would have been nice to have a few other mythologies represented, though, to round things out - maybe Native American, Pacific Islander, Inuit, etc. The charts are all in color, another plus.

To be honest, I had my doubts about buying a book of patterns without any examples whatsoever. However, I do not regret it, because this is one of the most beautiful and fantastic books on cross stitch I have ever owned. Each pattern consists of 3 or more colors and are clearly charted in color. There are different themes on each chapter (fantasy, oriental, magic etc.). Some of them are quite hard to do, but there are plenty of smaller projects which I am thankful for. I do have to add that a lot of the patterns use quarter stitching, which can get on my nerves after a while. Either way, I think it is a high quality five star book.

This is a nice book. I like Teresa Wentzler designs and decided to get this on a whim. I'm not disappointed. The designs are not too bad. The dragons are beautiful. I'm not thrilled with the mermaids and the nautical themes, but the rest of the book is nice.

This is a fantastic book for cross-stitch addicts! The book is full of charts for everything from wizards and unicorns to oriental dragons and zodiac motifs.The charts are divided into 6 main categories: Myth & Magic, Winter Enchantment, Oriental Fantasy, Angelic Messengers, The Mystic Deep and Celestial Heaven. Within these categories there are charts for complex, intricate, time-consuming masterpieces, as well as for smaller motifs. While the complex charts are more suited to an experienced stitcher, many of the motifs are very easily done by the beginner stitcher.The directions for working the charts are clear and concise. The charts themselves are in color, which some stitchers may not like. However, the designs themselves make-up for whatever lack this may cause. They also give the name of the designers of the charts, which is an added bonus in case you find yourself wishing to do more charts by that designer.This is one book that I will buy and treasure for a long time to come!