Twist and Loop: Dozens of Jewelry Designs to Knit and Crochet with Wire

I just received this book as a gift. I already knit and know a little crochet, so this book is pitched at an appropriate level for someone like me who has basic skills but is interested in applying those skills to a new medium. I know I'll be able to learn from this book and that I will be able to apply the principles to my own design ideas. The book is lovely, filled with beautiful photography. My one complaint - the thing that makes this book *almost* awesome - is that the photography is a bit too arty and never shows a finished object being worn by an actual person. In some photos, the hand holding the item obscures important details like necklace clasps. In others, half of the project is out of the frame of the picture! I really would have liked to see some photos of these items in context, being worn by a person.

There are some really nice designs in this book, and just a few which are a little over the top that I probably will never make. Most of them are quite 'wearable'. The book is filled with amazing photography where you can clearly see the details of the wire pieces. Plus, there are great chapters on how to knit with wire, and how to crochet with wire--very informative. The book is made up of the following chapters: Necklaces Bracelets Sets Earrings and Pins Knitting with wire Crocheting with wire Finishing wire pieces Resources (great recommendations on where and what to buy) If you like this book, you might also look at "Wire Jewelry" by Kate Pullen. Very similar subject matter, but completely different designs.

This book assumes you know how to do basic knitting and crotcheting, although you can learn via the small section showing you how to do basics in the back of the book.If you can knit/crotchet, then this book is brilliant. Incredibly clear instructions, full page photographs of the complete piece and Materials list. Each project (22 of them) is rated from Easy to beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. A good glossary in case you get stuck with the Instructions. If you are already used to knitting or crotcheting with wire, then it is unlikely you would find anything new in this book. Worth buying if you are a beginner or a teacher looking for a good resource book.

Annie Modesitt is the most creative and imaginative designer I know. In Twist and Loop she uses her ample talent with color and texture to create a collection of gorgeous knit and crochet wire jewelry. Ranging from simple and elegant to flamboyant and funky, there are designs here to compliment every wardrobe. These portable projects also make terrific gifts, and each includes an estimate of how long it will take to complete. Sections on knitting and crocheting with wire and beads round out the book, and provide all of the skills necessary to succeed in learning to work with these unusual materials. A must have for every adventurous knitter and crocheter.

Okay, maybe Annie Modesitt isn't the archetypal, been knitting with wire since the 1960's, artistic goddess that Arline Fisch is, but this book is one beautiful piece of work. The book itself is stunning, with full-page lovely photos, terrific layout and typography, and a cool retro design. The projects are stunning and, while, perhaps not as mind-numbingly innovative as those in Arline Fisch's latest compilation "Crocheted Wire Jewelry;" I would certainly say that Annie's instructions are much more clear and easy to follow. Each project is graded for difficulty level and the instructions are given in written and charted form. The book contains designs for both knitting and crocheting with wire and the projects include earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pins (especially appreciated are "matching" sets with the pieces not identical but complementing each other). One feature I enjoyed was having the "basics" at the rear of the book; that way you get to drool over the projects first, instead of droning through all the mundane details that usually hit you at the front of knitting or crochet books. The projects Annie has devised look like fun--they're colorful, they're playful, and they look do-able. I think I'll try to work one up this weekend!