The New Dictionary of Counted-Thread Embroidery Stitches

This book is really a blackword gem. It starts off with all the tools of the trade, and though I've done needlepoint for a while, I found some new gadgets in there. Always a treat in itself. She discusses Floss Storage, Fray Check, Hoops, Magnetic Boards, Lo-Ran supplies (the first I saw that discusses this brand), Metallic Threads, Needles, Scissor sizes, Rippers and Sharpening Stones (the new one for me), Stands, Stretcher Bars and then gives you a glossary of the terms, including the various threads and fabrics, before starting you off with Assisi Work. It really shines in a counted thread work, explaining the historical value of each type and nailing Blackwork, what I got it for. She has a tremndous amount of patterns, about 2 to a page, mainly repititions, which is what the stuff of Blackwork, and shows how repeating a pattern could change its dynamic from a single to a ground. There are about 50 blackwork patterns in this book. After blackwork she discuss embroidery stitches and then how to work Hardanger. The middle of the book has coloured photos of the finished projects After hardanger she goes to Mexico and discusses their counted work, of Pattern darning and how it was picked up in the various Scandnavian and Slav countries. And then finally, she has the layouts for the projects in the end. As you can see this book is a chockablock full of great techniques and good ideas. High Recommended for needle fans like myself. Remy.