DON'T OVERLOOK COMPENDIUM-TYPE BOOKS!!

Books that include a number of crafts (often prefaced in the title by "Encyclopedia of...", "Guide to...", "Compendium of...") are often overlooked when information about a specific craft is sought. I am here to say, "Don't" !!

Frequently, when people search for information about a particular craft they look for books that are specifically about that craft and miss books that include a variety of crafts.  Generally I would agree with this tendency since, in most cases, books that attempt to cover a number of different types of crafts manage to only scratch the surface of each topic - providing only the basic beginning techniques for each.  But sometimes it is too bad because some of them are quite extensive and provide a lot of information, projects, tips and patterns that you might not find somewhere else.

Point in case:  research for my last post led to a nostalgic desire to explore embroidery for a little while.  As I looked through our library shelves, I found some books specifically about Embroidery but I had a hard time finding as much information as I wanted.   But I recently came upon one of our new books that covers a number of needlecraft techniques, including Embroidery arts, and I am impressed by the caliber and presentation of the information it provides for each technique it addresses.  

The book that has caught my current attention is  The Needlecraft Book (click here to go to our catalogue record.) 

This book is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that covers knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, quilting, applique' and patchwork.  It contemporizes these traditional needlecrafts and related materials and would be a great reference for anyone who would like to learn a new needlecraft as well as those who would like to improve on the skills they already possess.

I shouldn't be too surprised by the thoroughness of the information provided since the book is published by DK.  I have always loved the books DK publishes, no matter the subject, because they are well researched, comprehensive, and always include excellent photography.  The close-up photographs in this particular book present the subject matter against a white background, mostly without the distraction of hands (meaning the close-up focuses on the stitch), which makes it very clear to the needlecrafter as to what they need to do to form each stitch.

DK has assembled three authors for this book - each with expertise in the needlecraft they write about:  Sally Harding (knitting and crochet sections); Maggi Gordon (embroidery, patchwork, quilting, and applique' sections); and, Ellie Vance (needlepoint section).    The information is presented knowledgeably, clearly, and in a logical fashion.  Each author takes the reader through the skills necessary to master the technique. 

The information provided for each of the needlecrafts addressed in this book includes the necessary tools and materials, technique and design recommendations, and an ample Stitch Gallery (or Block Gallery in the case of quilting and patchwork).  Helpful tips, advice and information are sprinkled throughout each section as well and each stitch pattern or quilt block is accompanied by information as to how, or where, it is best put to use.  All three authors cover the basic techniques that will get any beginner up and running, and then they go above and beyond by adding a surprising amount of the more complex/advanced techniques that will enable one to advance the skills they already possess.  A final chapter regarding general finishing techniques guides the needlecrafter through the steps required to hem, bind, embellish and care for their projects.

I have to say "wow!" as I flip through the pages and examine the information, the presentation of that information, the clear photographs that support the step-by-step instructions (we know I am a big fan of good photographs), and the number of techniques and tips each section covers.  This is not just for beginners! It is a great all-around go-to guide.

To test the depth of the information, and its "follow-ability," I first turned to the section on knitting (what else?!).   I have looked at a number of books on knitting for beginners and I have to say that I am impressed. This book covers a lot more territory, and will take a knitter farther, than most of them, by putting an extensive amount of instruction in one handy reference.    

I even discovered a new technique to use when I wind my yarn into a ball.  I always like to to wind my yarn into a ball before I begin to knit because it allows me to discover any flaws or knots in the yarns that I can deal with BEFORE I meet them mid-project or mid-row.  Also, when I knit from a ball of yarn I plop it into a bowl (to keep it from rolling all over) which allows me to keep my stitch "tension" even.  In the "Beginner's Tips" section, the author describes a technique for winding a hank of yarn into a ball  in such a fashion that allows the yarn to be fed from the center of the ball, thereby alleviating the tendency balls of yarn have for rolling all over the place (and would mean I could use my bowls for cereal rather than yarn which would delight my husband who wonders where all the bowls have gone...). As fate would have it, a friend recently gave me a pattern for felted slippers and some yarn that needed to be wound before I could begin, so I decided to give this method a try. 

Starting with yarn from one end of the hank, I am instructed to create a yarn "butterfly."  The instruction provides a cross-reference page number leading to instructions to create a yarn butterfly...and the page number is correct!  (Good editing!  I hate when page numbers are provided but the information is actually on another page!).  Anyway, a butterfly is achieved by wrapping the yarn around your index finger and thumb in a figure-eight fashion.

I then pinch the yarn "butterfly" at its center and slip it off my fingers.

Securing the tail in my palm with the rest of my fingers, I proceed to Step Two which instructs me to continue by wrapping the yarn around the butterfly and my thumb to create a hole in the center of the ball.

I continue wrapping, and turning until I reach the other end of the yarn.  I secure the tail under some of the outer strands.

Isn't it a thing of beauty?  See the tail sprouting from the center hole waiting for me to get started on my slippers?  (So much for my piqued interest in embroidery....)

When I prepare to knit I am instructed to pull the butterfly out of the center and begin knitting with that end.  My cat is fascinated (she was never all that interested when the ball was in a bowl! hmmm.)

Lo and Behold!  It works!  My yarn ball stayed in place, the yarn played smoothly from the center, and I was able to maintain an even tension through my stitches.

I have never seen this technique in any other book.  I asked my friend about it and she was not familiar with it either.  I guess my husband can have the bowls back - our dish set is once again complete!

Oh, I finished the slippers.  Here they are before I felted them:

They look very silly and I am unsure how these saggy-baggy pieces of knitwear are going to end up being wearable slippers.  After I ran them through the felting process, however, I was delighted to discover they turned out exactly as they were supposed to.

I have momentarily been distracted from re-entering my pursuits of embroidering.  When I am ready to revisit embroidery or needlepoint, or learn how to applique', quilt (my friend would be so excited if I started to sew), create patchwork pieces or  crochet I definitely plan to check this book out.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about needlecrafting.

OTHER NEEDLECRAFT COMPENDIUMS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN (some older but containing lots of good needlecraft techniques that aren't always addressed anymore):

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts,
by Martha Stewart, Published in 2010
(click here to go to our catalogue record)

Covers basic techniques for sewing, applique', embroidery, quilting, dyeing, and printing.  It was the focus of one of my first posts: A Pattern is Like a Recipe, Oct. 2010.  Lots of techniques, lots of patterns and instructions.  And, of course, pure Martha.

Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework,
by Donna Kooler, Published in 2000
(click here to go to our catalogue record)

 Covering Needlepoint, Embroidery and Counted Thread arts, it includes an extensive stitch guide for each needlecraft (over 400 stitches!) and each stitch is accompanied by a clear photograph and color diagram.  A brief history of the origins for each of the techniques is also provided, which is kind of interesting.

Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework,
edited by Virgina Colton, Published in 1979
(click here to go to our catalogue record)
This is definitely an older book and the projects are somewhat dated, but stitches, instructions and most techniques don't change that much and Reader's Digest has always been good at compiling information such as this.  Furthermore, it provides instruction for a number of crafts, many of which are hard to find new information about:  including macrame', rug-making, and lacework.

IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE - REFELECTIONS ABOUT CREWELWORK

Sometimes it's the little things in life that take you by surprise, make you pause to think, reflect and remember.

I was sitting up in bed, drinking my morning coffee when I glanced down and, for whatever reason, took particular notice of the binding on my blanket and the stitching that held it there.  This is not a new blanket mind you, it has been on my bed all winter.  Why I decided to focus on it this morning is beyond me but focus I did. Maybe it is because Mothers Day is this month and I have been thinking about my mother and my grandmothers.  Let me explain some.  This is not a regular store bought blanket.  This is one half of a blanket that my grandmother (my moms mom) had cut into two because of wear and tear, and then hand-sewed the sateen binding around all four sides, neatly mitering and stitching each corner.  People were more thrifty back in the day (although with today's economy more and more of us are learning new skills in an attempt to be thrifty) and my Grandmother had learned to be very thrifty during the Depression.  She also had wicked great seamstress skills from years as a milliner (hat maker). 

Anyway, it was the stitching in particular that caught my eye this morning.  It wasn't a simple Running Stitch, Blanket Stitch, or Whip Stitch - it was more decorative, kind of cross-hatched and showed on both sides.  To me it looked like a one-legged chicken had walked all around the edge.

It has been years since I have done any decorative stitching and I reflected on how long it must have taken my grandmother, and thought about the care she had put into a project for household use rather than decoration.  It also reminded me of the many crewelwork, needlepoint, and embroidered projects my family has produced over the years...skills taught by and passed from both of my grandmothers and my mother, to my sister and myself.  This simple piece of handiwork brought back images of sitting by my grandmother learning how to create different stitches - the Lazy Daisy, Chain, Stem, French Knot, Trellis, Woven and Whipped Wheels, and Herringbone Stitches to name just a few.  I can not name them all here since there are over 100 crewel embroidery stitches (and no, I have not learned them all!)

Here is a piece I created for my Mother-in-Law back in 1983.  I had forgotten about it until a recent visit...I guess it was because I was mentally formulating this article that the piece caught my eye.  How opportune!

My Grandmothers taught me to always sew my initials and the date of completion in my work (it is under the pussy willow in the lower left side as you face it) - it surprised me to see I had made it nearly 30 years ago! 

Closer views show many French Knots (the brown dots), lots of Satin Stitch (white pussy willow catkins and mustard flower petals), a series of areas filled with the Turkey Rug Stitch (the rust colored fuzzy mounds) which is also known as the Ghiordes knot, and flowers made up from radiating Pistil Stitches (the white and mustard colored flowers visible in the second picture below).

The shading of the pitcher is achieved  with a series of Short and Long filling stitches and Block Shading.  (I was not terribly fond of working them as I recall!)

I love the diversity of stitches used in Crewel Embroidery because each stitched section provides short-term goals and a sense of accomplishment which keeps the projects from being boring.

I have noticed a slow resurgence of interest in the old needlework arts such as embroidery, crewel work, and needlepoint (to name just a few.)  I have seen an increase in circulation of our books on these subjects and needlework exhibits have been popping up, such as the recent exhibits on Needlework by Connecticut women at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme and the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford.  Just the other day, in fact, I came home from vacation and saw in the local paper that members of the Connecticut River Valley Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America are showcasing examples of modern embroidery throughout May at the Granby Public Library (click on the organization names for more information.)

There has not been a whole lot of new material written on these old needlework arts, however bit by bit new books are being published. I turned to one such book as I decided to explore the stitch used by my Grandmother and feed my nostalgia.

CREWELWORK by Jacqui McDonald 
(click on the title to go to our catalogue record)

This is a wonderful little book by the Royal School of Needlework (or, in brief, the RSN) and is part of their new series of Essential Stitch Guides which to date will include the following three titles: Blackwork, Stumpwork, and Silk Shading (the last two have not yet been published.) 

The authors of all the books in this series are Graduate Apprentices of the Royal School of Needlework and, as such, are very knowledgeable on their subject matter.  The RSN was founded in 1872 to ensure high quality arts and techniques of hand embroidery would be kept alive. 



People from all over the world participate in RSN courses from beginners right through those pursuing degrees for professional careers in embroidered textiles.  (FYI: the RSN has worked for every British Monarch since Queen Victoria and had a hand in helping designer Sarah Burton create The Duchess of Cambridge's beautiful wedding dress!)

Let me begin by saying that this is not a project book...you will not find designs to create here.  You will, however, find all the essential information necessary to design and create your own crewelwork piece.  For those who are unfamiliar with crewelwork it is a "surface embroidery" technique in which stitches are applied to a fabric to create an image (rather than a mesh as with needlepoint).

In addition to its extensive stitch guide (hence the series title...) this book includes a brief history of crewel embroidery; a good section about materials and equipment; and a comprehensive design section to help you develop a design, choose colors and stitches.  Each section contains great photographs and clear step-by-step instructions.  The comprehensive stitch guide is divided into four types of stitches: Essential Stitches, Filling Stitches, Outline Stitches, and Surface Stitches.  Each stitch is introduced by a brief description of how it appears and what it is commonly used for.

Here are some photos of a chair my father's mother made years ago using many, if not all, of the stitches described in Crewelwork.

 

I can not imagine how long this took her to make!  It was part of an exhibit in her municipality and is one of many crewelwork items featured in an older book (1962) called The Art of Crewel Embroidery by Mildred Davis (our library doesn't own it but several of the others in our consortium do.)

Oh, and that stitch on my blanket that started this whole rumination...I think I have identified it as a Slanting Feather Stitch.  But I could be wrong..... The many years and many washings have created a bit of distortion - but now I have an odd need to continue exploring and wandering down my nostalgic path.


OTHER TITLES YOU MIGHT FIND TO BE OF INTEREST:

Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840
by Susan P. Schoelwer
(click on title to go to our catalogue record)

This book was issued in connection with the recent exhibition at the Connecticut Historical Society and is a historical exploration of the subject matter with many photographed examples.

Crewel Embroidery
by Erica Wilson
(we own this title but not possible to link to our catalogue record)

Published in 1962 it is an old, but classically good, book by an author who is well-known to embroiderers.  Erica Wilson was trained by the Royal School of Needlework.

Blackwork
by Becky Hogg
(recently published, our library does not yet own a copy)


The second book in the Royal School of Needlework's Essential Stitch Guide series.  I haven't seen it yet, but look forward to exploring it since I am completely unfamiliar with Blackwork.