Graham Rust's Needlepoint Designs

This is one of the best needlepoint books I have seen in ages. The designs are fresh and elegant, and the colors vibrant. I particularly love the seashell designs which I plan to use for seat covers. All the patterns are both color- and symbol-coded which make it easy to identify color tones without one getting cross-eyed. For the beginner or serious needlepoint practitioner, this is a must-have book in your library. I can't wait to get Mr. Rust's next needlepoint book!

Please do not mind the French bulldog on the cover not being given as a pattern inside. Graham Rust explains the difference between a regular watercolor and interpretation for needlepoint by using this work as an example, which was embroidered from his watercolor, by two experts in five months, using 95 colors. There is a lot of petit-point in the book. This necessitates the use of crewel wool, which I am unable to find in my country. The attention given to the implementation side is truly excellent. Suggestions are given for thread thickness, which I have not found in other books. The charts are color and symbol coded which makes a huge difference in usability and are large enough for easy following. Thread brands used are Appleton, Anchor and DMC and an alternative -- usually into DMC for each chart is given at the back. This is truly appreciated. Information on various brands' thread thickness and skein lengths can be found at the back of the book, again, a detail not often found. Aside from the excellent designs, this level of implementation specific information makes this book a source of projects that *can* be implemented with ease.

Luckly, I didn't buy this book for the elusive English Bulldog pattern, but for the blue cabbage which is lovely. As an unexpected bonus, I found the sunflower chair back and seat cushion cover which also makes a unique throw. I really appreciated that these patterns were artistic rather than craft-sy (I think we're all pretty tired of those '70's geometric patterns in longstitch). All in all, I'm glad I got the book used for less than $5, but I would probably pay $10-$15 now that I've seen the quality of the designs.

Graham Rust's book is comparable to Kaffe Fassett's. Sometimes patterns may be a bit too too much for the average stitcher, but use it (like Fassett's) as a jumping point -- use a border or small element. This book is gorgeous!