Reviews (13)

Amazing!!
Only a mathematical genius like Debbie New could come up with the wonderful and amazing options for knitting in new ways. Also fabu is the gallery of work by Ms New. I am working on a scribble lace garment using 6# fishing line and a heavy thick/thin wool (similar to Point 5 by Colinette). I think it will be amazing when complete. I spend hours looking over this book, imagining my next project.

Not for beginners
This book was beyond my expectations. I've been a knitter for over 30 years now, but I never thought one could knit such pieces. They are works of art more than knitted pieces. This book is a joy to look at, over and over and over again. It helps thinking outside the box and that there is more to knitting as one would believe. Great book!

An essential book for thinking knitters
Debbie New is the most innovative knitter since Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Unexpected Knitting is a book that provides inspiration and new directions (literally! she designs at all angles) to even experienced needlers.New has an organic sense of her projects;she knows her materials and is willing to experiment.She has the gift also of being able to explain clearly, in words and in charts, exactly how she has produced her groundbreaking designs.Not all her designs or techniques will appeal to all knitters, but there is some new insight to be gained in every project she describes, and everyone will find something wonderful among the sweaters, jackets, and art pieces beautifully displayed and explained in this volume.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Knitting    4. Needlework - Knitting    5. Patterns    6. Sweaters   

Reviews (46)

I have made four items from this book-beautiful!
I was new to wire and bead jewelry making when I got this. It quickly inspired me to make several items of jewelry as shown and they are gorgeous. I am now hooked on this hobby and have, in two months, spent over $1500 on tools and supplies. I have four sets of pliers, a crimping plier, two hammers, a small anvil, numerous beads and findings which I get on eBay, several types of gold and silver wire, and let me tell you, it all adds up. It is an addiction to types like me who need to make pretty things.
Good place to start
Although new to beading this book provided some great information on the processes involved.I found it to be very helpful and will refer to it again and work on some of the projects found inside its covers.

Bead On A Wire:Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry
A great book - suitable for the beginner or the more advanced jewelry artist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Metal Work    10. Wire craft    11. Handicrafts    12. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (14)

GREAT TEACHING BOOK!!!!
I have been researching, trying and creating with pmc for a year now and found this book to be very informative.This book gives you details about most aspects of silver clay.The projects show all the various ways of using silver clay's.

An excellent reference book for metal clay
I just received this book in the mail today.I paged through it quickly to see what was included.I will go through it more slowly later.What I did see the first time I really liked.I was impressed that firing charts for both brands of metal clay were included.
Covers her subject like a blanket !
Ms.Haab Covers her subject very well in that she gives the in formation on both types of metal clay. The temps and specfics to each brand product. The range of techniques translated in to the clay form metalsmithing follow the finished look of the original as close as possible. As a hard art metal person I found not only the descriptions clear and easy to follow but the pictures are bright so you can see the items. Not the artsy type gallery shots in some books. I haven't used any of the projects in it yet, but it is being looked at a lot. I own it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clay    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Metal Work    8. Metal-work    9. Precious metal clay    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (64)

What you wear can change your life
This book is really fantastic.These two ladies have a way of speak writing which is my way of saying that they write exactly as they speak. It comes across very clearly and naturally.I have picked up heaps of useful tips and it makes you realise that is not about dressing the perfect body but about making the most of your assets and minimizing your less flattering physical attributes.
Laughing your way to looking good
Trinny and Susannah are fantastic at telling you exactly what will work on your body type. they show the funky and elegant. In addition to the great advice they couch it in wonderful irreverent humor. enjoy.

Good, But Not All-Purpose
I love the way Trinny and Susannah look at color. Their advice for matching colors and finding colors that work for you is second to none. They have a chapter where there is a page for each color. They show several shades of that color and for each shade, they show two complimentary colors and one contrasting color. They also offer good underwear, travel and accessory advice, which can be quite useful.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Consumer Health    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Psychological aspects    7. Women's clothing    8. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (17)

Purl Stitch
Not quite as good as the first book in the series, but I'm glad to own it.

not as good as book 1
As a new knitter, I bought Sally's first book based on the reviews, and I loved it.The instructions and illustrations were excellent, and the patterns that could be made with just the knit stitch were mostly very nice, and usable. Something I could see myself making and wearing.
KNITTER BEWARE
Knitter beware.Pages with MISTAKES 19, 23, 104, 137, 148, 158, 169....maybe more.I love the patterns in this book.So, I decided I'd knit my husband the Classic cardigan.I knit quite a bit, this was my first sweater and was glad to find a book with what seemed to be clear instructions.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Patterns    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (18)

A must have!
I really liked the book, it inspires you to make your handwork wonderful! i liked so much i just can;t wait to try all the designs.

I love this book
I cam very close to drooling on this book when I got it. Its PACKED with the coolest stitches!

Knitting over the edge
This book is great!I am so excited that I purchased.The detail and volume of ideas and instructions are great.I highly recommend this book to everyone - Especially my best friend, Lulu!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Knitting    5. BG-ENTERTAINMENT ARTS - BG-MUSIC/SONGBK/THEA/DANCE    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting    7. Knitting   

Reviews (25)

Easy quilting
I am new to quilting yet this book makes a sampler quilt easy it is also a good resource for one pattern quilts.

FANTASTIC
Another great book for beginning quilters. Great tool to have. Wonderful styles & easy to understand.

Big Hit
I purchase this book for my mother-in-law, who loves to quilt.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Quilts & Quilting    5. Quiltmaking   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (44)

Best collection of knots ever.
This book has just about every kind of knot you could ever imagine. The drawings are quite nice and history within the book is most interesting. If you've ever had an interest in knots, rope, or sailing this is the book for you.

Knot-Withstanding
This is a marvelous piece of work, a wonderfully compiled index and history on the amusing subject of knots.Moreover; this is the story of knots, written with a scholar's pen (so, it's educational), but told with a seaman's heart. The author's passion for his subject, evident on every page, animates all of his hand-drawn, disciplinedillustrations(Ashley was a student of the great Howard Pyle), which lends the book a nice, user-friendly appeal. As the author literally unravels the chords of the past on the subject, he then meticulously ties all loose ends together to knot the vast gamut of one ofhumanity's oldest skills and indispensable crafts in one timeless reference book. Here is a legendary work for the ages on a specialized professional skill, and a skill people rely upon everyday.
"I'm a bit tied up at the moment."
First published in 1944, THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS is a fundamental reference work for anyone who works with rope, be you a sailor, stevedore, circus acrobat or dominatrix.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Knots and splices    6. Sailing - General    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Sports & Recreation / Sailing    9. CRAFTS/HOBBIES   

Reviews (6)

The recipient loved it
I bought this as a gift for a friend who helped a great deal with my wedding, advising me of dress styles, hair styles, fashion from this era, dances, music, food, and everything in between, as well as arranging all the flowers for the wedding!She was a godsend!When I gave her the book, her jaw dropped and she was so excited to get it... she said she had been wanting it forever.As I consider her quite knowledgeable about the subject matter of this book, and as it came highly recommended by her, I would say that it's a great book to have if this is something you are interested in as a serious hobby or more.

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming.It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses.This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period.Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility.The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color.I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive.After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC).Next, any Janet Arnold book.Last, would be the Norris book:Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at).All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library.Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing.Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down.Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries.Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. 16th century    3. Clothing    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Elizabeth    8. Europe - Great Britain - General    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. Hobbies/Crafts    12. Performing Arts    13. Queen of England,    14. Reference    15. Sewing    16. Sources    17. Theater - Stagecraft    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. Fashion design    20. Social history    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain    22. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (13)

Dissapointed - book too technical
This book was not what I thought it would be. I wanted a book that showed how to make jewelry, and actually this was a book that showed how to make jewelry components. I was looking for design and "how to" techniques on putting together jump rings, and store bought components and and this was more like how to make a jump ring etc . . I didn't like it. If you want to make jewelry components this is the book for you. If you want to make jewelry from store bought components and beads, I suggust you find a different book.

Should have been called metal smithing
As someone who makes a lot of wire/clay jewelry but doesn't work with metal, torches etc...this book will probably just collect dust.Everything in here required special tools I'm not interested in buying.Maybe if you have some knowledge of working with metals you could find this very useful but for me it was a waste of money. I used just one tip in book and the pictures did not inspire me to learn more.

Gotta have
This is probably the best guide to what you need to start and be successful in Jewelry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Encyclopedias    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making   

Reviews (11)

A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns
I have owned the Charted Knitting by Barbara Walker for a couple of years and am adding all of the other ones to my collection.I have not found another book that surpasses the collection of stitches in the 4 volumes that she put together.
Most useful knitting book I have ever come across.
I have both the first and second books, picked up at used book stores.In my 30+ years of knitting, these are the most useful knitting books I have ever come across.The sheer number of stitches is astounding, and I have yet to come across a mistake in the instructions (pretty unusual in a knitting book, in my experience).
Best stitch dictionary ever
I've heard great things about the BW Treasuries, and when I saw this second volume on sale, I snatched it.I am so glad I did!There are about 700 stitches in this volume, including: cable stitches; lace stitches; mosaic color stitches; color stitches in a couple of different techniques; dropped stitch designs; knit-and-purl designs.There are all-over lace and cable stitches as well as panels of cables or lace.There are several edging stitches, as well.The lace and yarn-over stitches seem to predominate, so this book is a lace knitter's dream!
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Knitting   

Reviews (12)

in response to a previous review
"The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing." I just wanted to say that the book does explain how to read and interpret patterns. In fact there are about 8 really good pages dedicated to reading patterns. I really hated how every pattern I bought wouldn't give an explanation of all the symbols they used. I didn't understand the symbols and some of the steps used in patterns until I got this book.
new complete guide to sewing
excellent book. worth every penny I paid for it.A must have for your sewing library.

This is my bible
I read reviews and did my research before putting money into this book and it was by far the most informative and reasonably priced out there.This is also used as a text book for many sewing classes. I doubt anyone who is passionate about sewing will be disappointed with their purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Household linens    6. Sewing    7. Tailoring    8. Fiction / Thrillers    9. Needlework & fabric crafts    10. Reference works   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful!
A wonderful resource for beginners and experienced spinners alike.
Great for a beginner (like me)
Although my mother has been spinning since I was a little kid, I had never really had the urge to try it until recently.I purchased a spindle and some fibre, but have not yet worked up the courage to try it.The instructions in Spin to Knit are very clearly written and accompanied by step-by-step photos--just what I needed to help me really visualize the process!I am already looking forward to learning to use a wheel as well!
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Knitting    5. Needlework - Knitting    6. Patterns    7. Spinning    8. Weaving    9. Yarn    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Weaving   

Subjects:  1. Album quilts    2. Appliquâe    3. Baltimore    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Maryland    8. Patchwork    9. Patterns    10. Quilt Making    11. Quilts & Quilting    12. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (12)

Not what I was looking for.
Needed a basics book and this was not it.Very indepth on using floor looms.

If you can only have one book.....
Make it this one.I am an "ok" weaver and I refer to this book over and over again.For me, everything a new weaver needs to know is in here and you can find it easily which makes this a real must have for anyone wanting to learn how to weave or if you are thinking you might want to learn how, please start with this book.

Terrific
This is a terrific book for someone who wants to learn to weave. It starts off with a very brief introduction to looms and ancillary tools needed by the weaver.It then provides a very detailed discussion, complete with many pictures, of how to warp the loom.The book then leads the reader through a home-study course starting off with a simple weave sample, a good explanation of reading drafts, and an interesting as well as comprehensible explanation of various twills.My favorite chapter was that on reading drafts----I had looked at a couple of weaving magazines previously and was completely puzzled by them. The author's explanations were so delightfully clear that after reading the chapter once I was able to understand all the patterns I had looked at in the magazines.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hand weaving    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Weaving    6. Spinning & weaving   

Reviews (6)

very original designs
I found this book very helpful in my artwork. I also was very pleasantly surprised to find it enjoyable to read. There are stories of folklore explaining the beginings of the differents dragons and thier formations from one type to the other. The designs themselves are beautiful to look at. I am constantly researching diffrent designs/drawings of dragons and find few that I like. I was very pleased with this book and its one of my favorites among the rest of my collection.

Great Book of Dragon Patterns:the Ultimate Design sourcebook for Artists and craftspeople
I love not only do you get help with drawing and patterns, you get a history lesson on types if dragons.

Dragons galore
Dragons galore, the renditions of the dragons in this book are great as far as they go, there are a lot of dragon heads, there could have been more on the body, having said that I would like to congratulate the writer on the dragon law and types of different dragons, even though short and concise it was very interesting giving the reader a reasonable amount of information on different breeds and sub species of dragon.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Dragons    5. Dragons in art    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. Subjects & Themes - General    10. Techniques - Drawing    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Decorative arts & crafts   

Reviews (5)

Easy to Use
Great illustrations and pictures.It's taken away a lot of the mystery - no I feel much more confident.

Inspiring
This book is great for the beginning beader.My daughter and I have great fun pulling ideas from this book and creating projects.The instructions are very clear and easy.The jewelery and other projects turn out beautifully.

Great stuff in here!
After someone gave me a bracelet recently, it was my first introduction to beading. I borrowed several beginner-beading books in an attempt to understand how to make beaded jewelry for gifts. Simply Beautiful Beading is the only book that covered everything I was looking for. It explains and illustrates different types of beads, wires, clasps, etc. and how to use them and has everything explained so well for the beginner. But don't let the subtitle of the book, "53 Quick and Easy Projects" let you think you won't find imagination and beauty in the patterns in this book. Many of the projects are ones I will actually use. Too many authors go to extremes to get something different in their books by creating things out of beads that are either just plain ridiculous, or far too expensive to make even if you wanted to do it. Heidi Boyde instead uses her imagination on designing simple projects in jewelry, accessories, and home accents that are different enough to be unique and yet be easy enough for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry   

Reviews (18)

Unleash Yourself
When I first got this book, it was soooooooo busy, I looked and put it down.Over then next week I read, re-read, read, re-read.......and fell into her wonderful world.The next thing you know I was doodling with silver marker on anything I could find.Had the German Shepherd puppy slowed down enough I would have doodled him.Then I doodled flowers over the doodling, then I painted the flowers, then I collaged the canvas....should I go on. I need a 12 step program for this book.
Not for the faint of heart
If you are a beginner or not a serious collager this book is not for you.If you have been collaging for some time and looking for new techinques this book is great.If you are looking to find your true style or adding some fun to an exisiting style this book is for you The color explosion is worth buying the book.

The cure for art inertia is at hand !
This is quite a fantastic book.If you've been a fan of Sabrina Ward Harrison's books, for example, but couldn't figure out how to achieve those kinds of effects, this book will help you.I'm a novice but there were so many projects and ideas I wanted to try.Actually, it became overwhelming, especially at the end with the more advanced techniques using stitching and bookbinding, but there's plenty here to keep everybody going for a long time.Mainly Bautista shows us how to layer, layer, layer, and reminds us not to worry about finished effects.Also, she's a great fan of "leveraging" her art, which means to make numerous photocopies at various stages and keep the copies so that she always has a ton of stuff to work with and can build on previous ideas with new work.
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Subjects:  1. Assemblage Art    2. Collage    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Paper Crafts    7. Paper work    8. Papercrafts    9. Textile crafts   

Reviews (10)

Good Instruction
I practice spinning my sticks all the time, but it was good to see that someone put some organization and structure to it. I learned a lot from this book and dvd. I learned a few moves!

Pleased
I really wanted to see if what I had learned long ago could be easily explained. To my surprise this book was right on target. Easy to follow, excellently demonstrated, and made quite simple. As in anything that looks easy...practice divides the can from the can't.

Spinology for Spinologists
Great book.. even better DVD that comes with it! But be warned, the techniques are deceptively simple but hard to do and harder to master.;. but there's no book around like it so he's got a monopoly on the subject right now... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Music / Exercises    2. Music / Musical Instruments / Percussion    3. Exercises    4. Music    5. Musical Instruments - Percussion   

Reviews (4)

Absolutely Wonderful!!!
Gosh, this was a pleasant book to read.The only negative I recall was the lack of detailed information about all of the photographs scattered throughout the book.I admit I was hoping to read a little more about some of the business failures and reasons why some firearms did not go into production.However, we don't need to focus in on the negative when it comes to Mr. Ruger's wonderful life!Other than my desire to want a little more description about the photographs and business dealings, this was an absolutely wonderful book on Mr. Ruger.

If you like Ruger guns, you will love this book!
From the first Standard Auto, to Flatgate Single Six's, Flattop Blackhawks, Hawkeye's, Bearcat's, Model 77s, Redhawks, you name it, it is all in here.I love this book.It is the best book on Ruger firearms that you can buy.

Ruger Wafers Are The Best!
I've never tasted a better wafer. They're so light it's like eating a piece of heaven. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1916-    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Firearms    6. Firearms & Weapons    7. Firearms And Gunsmithing    8. General    9. Gunsmiths    10. History    11. History - General History    12. Ruger Corporation    13. Ruger, William B.,    14. United States    15. Crafts & Hobbies / General    16. Militaria, arms & armour    17. Ordnance, weapons technology    18. Ruger, William B