Hey this is a book site. Do you have favorite Needlearts books you'd like to share? Any medium so long as it fits in the Needlarts category--books that are 'eye candy,' books with great patterns, books with great tips and techniques? Are there any new books you've come across that you are salivating over?

I'll go first. My favorite "eye candy" books are the Quilt National books issued every other year by Lark books to display the art quilts juried into the Quilt National show. Each quilt gets a full page photo, and there is a short statement by the artist. 2009 is just out and is on my wish list.

My favorite "technique" books are the series co-authored by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn. They are British fibre artists doing primarily innovative embroidery pieces. They have about 20 short books out, each concentrating on a single subject.

Next??

I'm going to do something from Beth Russell's William Morris Needlepoint one of these fine days. And before my eyesight goes completely, I want to knit something from Kaffe Fassett's Kaffe's Classics.

In the eye-candy category, I nominate most of the stuff I've seen by Rowan, particularly Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine Number 44.

As for techniques, Getting Started Knitting Socks made socks enough of a no-brainer to un-frighten a new-to-socks knitter.

As for patterns, I'd suggest The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns or Barbara Walker's treasuries.

Oh, thanks re the socks book - I'm in the currently frightened category but I've got the yarn sitting here waiting to go. I've never knit on 4 needles before although I have knit on round needles frequently.

My bible is Reader's Digest Complete guide to needlework. You name it, it's covered. It's definitely not eye candy but more a handyman's guy to needlework.

Message edited by its author, Jun 19, 2009, 4:58pm.

Tiffin--Did you know Kaffe Fasset also has several quilt books as well as some color books? He certainly is a talented guy. I'd love to knit one of his sweaters one day, but the ones I like usually require so many different colors I fear the yarn would cost a fortune.

One of my favorites is Quiltmaking by Hand by Jinny Beyer. She makes it look so easy, and then includes instruction and detailed demonstrations of every technique so that it actually IS easy. And beautiful. Amazingly beautiful.

Aruba, yes, I've seen at least one of his quilt books. The man IS amazing.
I really love quilts. Usable art. Perfect.

I have sooooo many favorites. I enjoy wandering through Kaffe Fasset quilting books and I like Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift, a book with the quilt patterns for quilts featured in a lovely children's hardcover picture book. It's colorful (as is the Fasset creations) and I find it all strangely soothing.

Another new favorite is Stray Sock Sewing by Daniel (translated from the Japanese). Move over sock monkeys! I'm in love with these sock animals but the socks in the stores around here aren't terribly conducive to making cute creatures.

I like Beginner's Guide to Blackwork; it's stuffed full with patterns.