Jane Davis (1)Besprekingen

Lots of instruction in various bead techniques, plenty of patterns, and a surprising number of the patterns are attractive enough to inspire a person to make them, or at least to learn the technique.½

Lending

I'm an experienced beader and I bought this book because it has instructions for 3 bead netting that I couldn't find anywhere else. Probably available on the internets but since I got it used, that's okay.

Patterns for purses, hats, vests and more

Patterns for hand-knits

I haven't yet tried any of the designs, but the detailed instructions on how to felt have been really helpful for my other projects!

A far more accurate title would be "The Basic Guide to Some Beading Techniques". Brick, Ladder, and Square stitches are fairly detailed, with written instructions and diagrams. Bead crochet and knitting have a minor amount of written instructions. Bead embroidery has virtually no instructions, but wastes a full page to a diagram showing the layout for a bead fringe, i.e. strung beads (page 119).

Most of the projects with instructions are pretty, but are things that intermediate to advanced beaders have, probably, already done. The best part of this book are photos of some gorgeous beadwork, but there aren't instructions in the book for these creations. I was an advanced beader when I purchased this book, and I did not garner any new knowledge from it.

I strongly recommend checking this book out from a library before you purchase it. I wish I had.

Absolutely wonderful - full color book - with illustrations of many stitch types. Includes patterns, and also various useful charts such as hook size, crochet symbols, etc.

Types of patterns: mostly accessories and clothing. Hats (4); Scarves/wraps/shawls (6); Bags (4); Jumpers (6); Men's Waistcoat (1); Tank (2); Cardigan (2); Cushion (5); Blanket (1)

Number of Patterns: 31

Split of patterns: mostly women, some household and a few others

Size Range: 36"-49", most go up to at least 46 and some go as small as 34

Colour/Black & White: COlour throughout

Schematics: yes for garments and complex patterns

Target Audience: This one strikes me as an intermediate book. There's one shawl that will be mine, oh yes, knitting it would be terribly simple, the embroidery would take a while. But every time I look at it I start drooling.

How to knit guide: yes and an how to embroider and how to embroider on wool guide.

Experimental/Classical/Modern: some suffer from using fun fur (look yes, I'm biased but if I'm going to embroider something it ain't going to be a fun-fur scarf!)

Comments: start looking at patterns from page 35, go back to the hats later. Trust me. This is a book that could start you doing things to more than just the patterns involved. There's a fair bit of swiss darning here and some of the ideas are quite good, and would spruce up a slightly worn jumper or cardigan. There's a pattern here that makes me think about playing with variagated yarn somewhat to get a different effect that looks good (and not too fussy), there are a few that will date badly but overall I would treat it as an inspiration book rather than a rigid book (except that shawl, it will be mine! It's the [Meandering Vine Shawl](pattern) and hopefully someone will have been mad enough!)

Buy/Borrow: I'm adding it to the wishlist.

Where found: There are copies on their way to some Dublin City Public Libraries

Big Book Of Beautiful Beads: Book Review

This book holds much more than its title. When I got this book, I was truly amazed at all it had to offer. It quickly became my favorite go-to book. It is like a bible for jewelry makers and beaders.

The book is actually compiled of four beading books in one! It is like having a whole library of books. If you are tight on space this would be a good all-in-one book to get for all your needs.

The book starts with everything you need to know as a beginner, like what tools, threads, and findings you'll need, to different techniques and stranding projects to more advanced ones.

There is a knotting chapter and bead weaving,(which is my favorite) that goes through all the different stitches and many great projects to do. The directions are written very well and easy to follow.

There is a wonderful wire work section, with all the basic techniques you need to make many different projects. The possibilities are endless.

I was surprised to find a whole new contents page just for beaded adornment. It takes you through getting started in back stitch, netting, brick stitch, peyote stitch, and split-loom techniques. All very well written, so you will easily be able to follow. With this book you could become a pro in no time.

There are graphs for different stitch patterns that you can copy and use to make your own patterns. There is a nice glossary to look to also.

There is a beautiful section on French-Beaded Flowers. So many colorful flowers and bouquets. You'll be amazed that they are made of beads.

With over 100 beading projects you can make, and all the best instruction and know-how to make them; this book is definitely now my absolute favorite book.

There are so many beading books out there, but this one is so full with everything you need. This book was definitely worth the money.

The Big Book of Beautiful Beads is a hardback , has many colorful photos and instructions. It is definitely of high quality and the price is reasonable, ranging from about $4.00 and up for used and $25.00 for a new copy. You can get Big Beautiful Beads at your local book store or at amazon.com.

I have owned this book for awhile but really haven't made anything much from it. There are some beauitful designs, though, so maybe something will grab me someday.

Worth owning.

While I haven't yet attempted patterns from this book, most are labeled as intermediate, not beginner or easy, so I'm not sure why it's called simple crochet. The pictures are beautiful, but may be best used for inspiration and not actual following of pattern. I'll have to try something and see how it turns out.

This is great! Jane Davis starts out with a fairly complete overview of embroidery stitches - all my favorite techniques are included, and some I don't do (yet) showing how they can be enhanced with beads. Then specific beading stitches are shown. The Projects that follow are conceived in such a way that they invite creativity, and not just following the directions. Wonderful book!

This was one of the free books I received when I subscribed to an online book club. I haven't used it but the pictures are excellent and the instructions seem clear.

Felting brings crochet enthusiasts into an exciting new dimension of their hobby in Felted Crochet. This resource provides instructions for easily creating 30 beautiful accents for home and wardrobe.½

Felting has taken the knitting world by storm, and with these 30 fabulous projects, knitters will effortlessly add this stylish new technique to their repertoire. All the basics are covered and fully photographed, including which yarns to use, how to create swatch samples, and how to knit evenly. Easy-to-follow instructions, illustrations, and photos accompany each item, and encourage beginners to test out new skills and experiment on their own. Start simple, with charming hot pads and coasters for the table. Warm and durable mittens feature elegant knitted cuffs. An eye-catching throw pillow comes in shades of cheery pink. Or make an ocean-blue scarf, zippered shoulder bag, or vibrant ethnic-inspired rug. From garments to home decorating items, these knitted beauties are all conversation pieces. A Main Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.½

Knit one and bead too: these patterns combine two favorite crafts for breathtaking results. Thirty gorgeous projects, shown in color photos and accompanied by charts, offer a variety of styles, colors, and materials. Every design simply begs knitters to try out new techniques. Picture a lace like scarf knit from angora yarn, accented with delicate crystals. Enjoy an evening out dressed in a black knit camisole, embellished with small metallic beads and shimmery beaded fringe. See how a simple, classic cable hat becomes something special with sparkly beaded details. A beautiful autumn shawl drips with bead fringing, and it's super quick to make. Or jazz up a denim-colored tank top and bag, transform a beret into something oh-so-chic, and dress up a pair of woolen gloves. A basics section details several techniques for incorporating beads into knitting, including embroidery, fringe, and appliqué.½