The Encyclopedia of Cross Stitch Techniques: A Step-By-Step Visual Directory, with an Inspirational Gallery of Finished Works

I love cross stitching and this book is my favorite of all the cross stitching books I have bought. Although it is an instructional book, every so often I just go through the pages to enjoy the illustrations and plan projects. The instructions with corresponding illustrations are clear and easy to follow. This book is more than I expected and is an excellent choice for beginners and those a little more experienced stitchers who like to have a reference book at hand.

I'm still trying to decide how to describe this book. It strives to be a classic textbook in a great many areas and succeeds quite well. I feel as though I'm in a textile school and using a professional text when studying this book. By submerging yourself in the information you will become very well informed and, through practice, skilled in several areas of needlework. Included here is information on every aspect of basic stitchery and then some. You are introduced through picture and charts to materials, frames, hoops, notions and various floss', pearl cottons, blending filament, silks, wools and threads in great detail. Then specific stitches, not just cross stitch, but many others that may be used individually or with cross stitch are introduced.(The photography and charting is excellent, showing some of the best detail work I've yet seen.) And you go on to exercises that develop skill in that particular technique or material or both with the use of a motif. There is information on creating patterns, working with computer design, reproducing designs from pictures, using mirrors to graph corners, reverse designs, central themes and borders. There is even a section on blocking. Much more is included in this book than I could record here. This is really a compendium. As was stated by another reviewer, this is not a book of motifs or independent projects and it doesn't pretend to be one. It is the sort of refrence book that will be looked at often.

I disagree with the previous review. I think this book does a good job of explaining things that beginners need to know. I especially liked the introduction/history of needlework and the many color photographs included. The book discusses materials and equipment needed to start stitching and gives clear instructions with visual aids in how to do the various stitches. It also talks a bit about designing your own work, and finishes as well as caring for your work once it's completed. This is a good resource!