The Complete Needlepoint Course

Rating:
Summary: A Valuable Reference
Review: I first discovered this book when I checked it out of the local library. After I had maxed-out my renewal priviledges, I realized this was a book I just HAD to have.

The books offers a comprehensive discussion of the fibers, tools, and design possibilities available in needlepoint today (this isn't your grandma's persian wool floral). Techniques with metallics, beads, and pulled thread are included along with traditional canvas stitching methods.

Several designs are provided, but the emphasis is on personalizing the designs to your own taste or, better yet, designing your own. As an experienced stitcher who is beginning to take baby steps into design, I found the "Design Your Own" sections to be helpful and reassuring as well as inspiring. Examples are plentiful -- many time the same project is shown in several different colorways or stitches -- and graphs are large and easy to read.

Little hint boxes are scattered throughout the book, offering relevant information for the technique or project at hand.

The only flaw in this gem of a book is the stitch glossary. The diagrams for the stitches would be improved by some designation of the stitching order.