Four Way Bargello

This book is written by someone who knows what they are doing. That is always good (understatement alert). Sadly that is not always the case when it come to *how-to* books. I can always depend on books by Dorothy Kaestner. Most are out of print, I am glad one can still buy them here.

This book could be subtitled, "1001 Bargello Surprises," the author teaches the reader all about bargello as geometrics, undulations, florals, feathers, Celtic knots, waves, ribbons, ropes, circles, and pieces that just seem to grow. There are lots of color pictures with lots of color combinations and suggestions. She also has thrown in photos and charming anecdotes that don't seem to relate to the book. That's nitpicking, but, if you ever read this book, you ought to know that you weren't the only one scratching your head after searching the book for ferns, paisleys, and paperweight designs.

If her first book (4-Way Bargello) was good, this one is better! There are, by the author's count, 67 designs given; 25 are 4-way, 32 are regular bargello, 9 "needlepoint" (read: tent), and 1 combination. I think her explanations are clearer here and the book is better "constructed" in the progression of patterns.