3 comments about Weaving: A Handbook of the Fiber Arts.

1. This book is the standard college textbook at the two universities where I studied weaving, and includes historical information, practical instruction, and design information. The practical instruction assumes you have a floor loom. Recommended.



2. Don't waste your money on this "handbook". There aremany better books on weaving. This book reads like a collegeinstruction manual for students who will never continue on in weaving. The historical section is the best part of the book. Following the simple historical info section are completely pathetic section on card weaving, inkle weaving and loom weaving. ( ) this book is way way way overpriced! Maybe if it was offered (it for less money) I might purchase it again as a very simple reference manual but I would have some doubts at that! END



3. This book is not a "How To", except for perhaps the floor loom sampler. I agree with the comment that the history is the best part, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the explanations of fibers and yarns. It reads like a college text and has been used as a college text. This book is very good for a broad introduction to weaving and some other related fiber arts.

No comments about The Art of Maori Weaving: The Eternal Thread : Te Aho Mutunga Kore.

1 comments about The Guide to Successful Tapestry Weaving.

1. This book features Navajo to contemporary tapestry. You see many different types of looms. A small section on the spinning wheel and ball winder. The contents pretty much explains the rest. The information in this book is very practical for getting started.

   CONTENTS

   What This Guide Is All About

   The Basics

   Getting Ready to Weave

   Now the Fun Begins

   A quick Review-And A Lot More

   Finishing, Mounting, and Tapestry Care

   Inspiration

   Creating A design

   Sources of Weaving Supplies

   Future Reading

5 comments about Handpaint Country: A Knitter's Journey.

1. It's a gorgeous book, hands down. I put it right up there with Knitting Across America for sheer inspiration and beauty. The book is organized by geography, much like Knitting Across America, and Cheryl interviews dyers from every area. Mountain Colors, Valentina Devine, La Lana Wools, Fiesta Yarns, Koigu, Great Adirondack, and more. The only area that wasn't covered well is the West, which may mean that there are not a lot of hand dyers in business here.

   Patterns follow each dyers review, and they are varied and beautiful. Top name designers such as Lily Chin, Sally Melville, Rick Mondragon, and Cheryl Oberle offer a wide range of garments and other items; sweaters, vests, afghans, shawls, hats, etc. Some are deceptively simple; Valentina Devine's Garter Blocks afghan is simplicity itself to make, but it's just beautful in the colors she chose.

   Of course, the photography is incredible. Alexis Xenakis has outdone himself yet again. Yarns are photographed in natural light, often using the landscape as a backdrop.

   The book is printed on high quality glossy paper, so the colors really shine. The body text is in a sans serif font, in a size that is quite comfortable to read. There is plenty of white space for your eye to rest after the excitement of texture and color.




2. I am very fussy about my knitting books. Many of them have the same basic sweater patterns over and over (look at the schematics) the change in "look" of a sweater comprising of variations in guage, yarn used, or a different pattern stitch. An experienced knitter can figure most of this out by his/herself. Therefore I look for something new - something different - in a book of knitting patterns. Otherwise I pass on the purchase.

   This book has lovely, creative designs and they are readily adaptable to substitution yarns, as most of the yarns featured are MUEY EXPENSIVO! (I don't know about you but I consider spending 3 - 500 dollars on yarn for a sweater I may not finish a bit steep!) I still buy the handpaints, but where a solid is shown, i will substitute a more basic yarn.

   In any case, the patterns are beautiful and inventive - showcasing Top designers best work. The yarns are drool material, and the photography is exceptional, displaying these incredible handyed yarns in all their sensual beauty! This book goes far beyond a "coffee table" book, although it has the same size AND you really want to pick it up and look through it whether you knit or not. You will want to photocopy the patterns before you make them.

   I love this book.




3. As a handspinner, I'm always curious about what other spinners and dyers are doing. Handpaint Country was impossible to put down. The photos are beautiful and I was enchanted by the stories of the women who spin and dye in the book. Their yarns are gorgeous! i thought some of the projects in the book were a little odd, but other than that, it's a great book.



4. This book is beautiful beyond belief. The photographs are beautiful and it's interesting to compare and contrast the different views of handpainting yarn and design sensibilities presented here. I also liked the insights provided into running small yarn companies coupled with the sense of craft in different parts of the US. The big pages can inspire dreams about knitting and the book is a great spur to the imagination.Some of the designs are not to my taste but there are many tastes presented here and I'm sure most readers would find plenty of things they like.
   I would also recommend this book to people who handpaint their own yarn as I do - seeing the excellent photographs of many different styles of handpainted yarn was a real eye opener to me.
   That said, I regret that it's hard to find out where to buy many of the yarns so tantalizingly presented here. I have been knitting for over thirty years and never follow a pattern exactly; I wouldn't recommend this book to neophytes.



5. Sometimes I just want to pick up a knitting book just to drool over the designs, colors, textures rather than attempt something. The patterns appear rather well written and easy to follow-it's just that I am a basic, basic, basic knitter and have not reached this "Zen" level of knitting. This book TOTALLY inspired me to keep going. I WANT to be able to knit like this and use these yarns. I saw one review that said she couldn't find the yarn. Concidentally, the other day I was in AC Moore craft store and picked up a magazine titled Interweave Knits. Almost every one of the yarns were listed in this magazine! I will always reach for this book for inspiration.

No comments about WOVEN BY GRANDMOTHERS PB.

1 comments about American Star Work Coverlets.

1. Star-work coverlets, with motifs of stars, diamonds, and/or flowers, were woven by professional weavers of the nineteenth century. This book is the only one extant specifically covering these textiles. The coverlets were not signed or dated. But designs for them appear in coverlet weavers' manuscripts as early as 1819. A chapter in the book discusses some of these weavers and their manuscripts. The last chapter in the book describes the method by which a coverlet may be analysed.

   Over eighty coverlets were analysed. Handweavers can replicate the textiles exactly, or use the designs to weave other types of fabrics. The book is also of value to antique dealers, textile researchers, museum curators, and coverlet collectors. Craftspeople wishing to incorporate these old designs into modern works may find inspiration in these pages.

No comments about The Maker's Hand: A Close Look at Textile Structures.

3 comments about Whips and Whipmaking.

1. I met Mr. Morgan after owning this book. He is a person who knows what he is talking about, either in printed or first hand information. The general view on such a beautiful craft makes you be aware of the different circumstances which led to different styles and handling. It too, helps you learn much of the basic techniques, such as braiding, paring, cutting, making knots, dee belts and hat straps. You can't make a whip from this book (let's say a finely braided kangaroo whip), but, as he states, much of whipmaking is empyrical; you have to be open-minded and try everything you have at hand to improve your skill, always trying to keep up with excellent quality. Be sure to analyze and understand his formulas for the width of strands and diameter. This is, mostly, what will lead you to good shaped thongs (though balance and appearance, tightness in braiding will be gained gradually). For those who are fond of mathematics, try to see how trygonometry is related to it (I found it out, and helps quite a lot! This does not mean that only engineers can make them, but you understand and learn faster). I'd like to recommend another book, available through Amazon.com, also. It's "How to make whips" by Ron Edwards. Eventhough I own the Australian edition, Cornell Maritime Press has made a great job by editing it for America. Anyway, I think you should buy Morgan's book first, to understand, and appreciate this craft and this book (Edwards') on the right level. Remember, if you bought the latter first, be sure to get this one! One-of-a-kind for your leather library.



2. Now in its second edition, revised with additional information concerning whips made in the Mongol tradition and the evolution of whip design in general, Whips And Whipmaking is a straightforward, easy-to-follow guide and to the art of leather braiding to create whips for performance or sport use. Black-and-white photographs and an extensive discussion of the lore, history, and quirks of whips through the centuries make Whips And Whipmaking a one-of-a-kind, information packed resource.



3. Mr. Morgan's book is excellent for those who want to learn a variety of skills in order to hone one's leather plaiting and learn the basics behind how a whip is made. However, it does not lead one with limited experience with whips on what leads directly to making one.
   
   For that, Ron Edwards "How to Make Whips" is much better.

4 comments about The Techniques of Rug Weaving.

1. Any hand weaver who is serious about weaving more than one rug needs this book in their library. It is easy to follow and it covers a comprehensive range of techniques. The diagrams are clear and the text is easy to follow. It is possible to skim and to leap across whole chapters to follow your interest. If it has one drawback it is that most of the photographs of Collingwood's own work are in black and white. If you have the inclination towards rugs and the inspiration, Collingwood will support you to avoid the pitfalls and plan the fulfillment of your creative spirit



2. This is a thorough book, but difficult to understand for beginners. It is dry and complicated to get through and I would only recommend it as a reference, not necessarily a working book. There are others much easier to use for general rug weaving instruction.



3. A classic rug weaving book, a must for any serious weaver, though somewhat complex, the information is unique, the creative possibilities are fully explored.



4. 
   
   I purchased this great book in 1974 and it became my most used learning guide and technical reference around the studio.
   
   It runs for 480 pages with 400 diagrams, 170 photographs (4 in color) and has a Bibliography, a Suppliers List and a very usefull Index.
   
   At the beginning I carefully followed the instructions to the letter. Then I rapidely took off on the creative warp and weft ways with my own invented textures, colors and design.
   
   Collingwood covers a lot of different techniques and many cultural influences. You can really be design inventive if you use the book to cross-reference your free-thinking ideas between the 14 chapters.
   
   This book is a really good creative investment and a must have item in your weaver's library.

1 comments about Cane, Rush and Willow: Weaving with Natural Materials.

1. very easy to follow instructions and some usual @ unusual projects. worth buying for the peacock alone; I intend to have at least three of these strutting thru my garden.