How to Knit & Crochet Blocks, Blankets & Throws Clear step-by-step photographs & instructions guide you through all the skills you will need to make beautiful afghans & throws, from choosing yarns & basic knitting & crochet stitches to Fair Isle & intarsia techniques, making & piecing blocks & strips, & creating delicate openwork fabrics. Learn how to read patterns & adapt cross-stitch graphs, or chart your own unique designs; use multiple stitch techniques to create bobbles, popcorns, & cables; create stunning effects by combining colour, pattern, & texture; add the finishing touch with fringes, borders, tassels, beads, & embroidery.

Includes:: an inspirational gallery of designs & motifs with complete stitching instructions, cross-referenced to the techniques within the book. About the Author Luise Roberts formerly worked as a book designer before taking up her laptop & writing on a broad range of craft subjects. Luise was taught to knit & sew at an early age by her mother & exhibited as an embroiderer before enthusiastically turning her attention back to knit & crochet. Luise's simple goal is to show there is a difference between a task being difficult & it being time consuming & that a little time spent can be very rewarding. She lives & works in London.

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How to Knit & Crochet Blocks, Blankets & Throws Clear step-by-step photographs & instructions guide you through all the skills you will need to make beautiful afghans & throws, from choosing yarns & basic knitting & crochet stitches to Fair Isle & intarsia techniques, making & piecing blocks & strips, & creating delicate openwork fabrics. Learn how to read patterns & adapt cross-stitch graphs, or chart your own unique designs; use multiple stitch techniques to create bobbles, popcorns, & cables; create stunning effects by combining colour, pattern, & texture; add the finishing touch with fringes, borders, tassels, beads, & embroidery.

Includes:: an inspirational gallery of designs & motifs with complete stitching instructions, cross-referenced to the techniques within the book. About the Author Luise Roberts formerly worked as a book designer before taking up her laptop & writing on a broad range of craft subjects. Luise was taught to knit & sew at an early age by her mother & exhibited as an embroiderer before enthusiastically turning her attention back to knit & crochet. Luise's simple goal is to show there is a difference between a task being difficult & it being time consuming & that a little time spent can be very rewarding. She lives & works in London.

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I reckon there are about nine things a chap doesnt realise he should be able to do. Not stuff you can download from the internet at the touch of the button, but really important things. So, in this book, each is dealt with fully, & its a good read rather than just boring facts. Its a series of chapters with some light gaggery, but also solid information & plenty of nice pictures & diagrams. For example, in How to land an airliner there is good background stuff about the likelihood of it ever falling to you (extremely unlikely), some stats on past dramas, plus good information on the controls, what they do & what they look like. Theres a range of subjects from the genuinely relevant how to deliver twins, for example to the absurd, such as how to play Beethovens Moonlight Sonata, so theres ample opportunity for me to rant, enthrall you with technical explanations & entrance you with interesting facts.
- James May
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This book begins with learning how to observe- to see whats really there, not what you want to see. Observation is a skill thats learned & practiced, & one of the hallmarks of successful artists is that they know how to look at a subject with clear vision unfettered by preconceived notions or old habits. Using reference photos, diagrams, sketches & comparative examples, the author shows you first how to observe an object, & second how to translate that observation into an accurate rendering using graphite pencils, charcoal pencils & pen & ink. Review from The Artist October 2010 Claudia Nice has a characteristic realistic drawing style, which she has developed over time & has taught in workshops, demonstrations & seminars worldwide. She has written over 20 art instruction books & this book is a thoroughly written & well-illustrated manual, giving valuable advice about approaches & methods to help you hone your drawing skills. The book takes readers through all the basics, such as the importance of observation, mark-making, materials, building up shapes, comparing angles & proportions, perspective & tonal values, & through a number of demonstrations, Claudia explains various significant stumbling areas, such as how to draw symmetrical objects, using grids & avoiding or correcting mistakes. The whole book, in a useful ring bound format, gives some useful & comprehensive suggestions, tips & instructions to assist anyone focusing on improving their drawing abilities. Susie Hodge ...

Get stitching-savvy with this all-you-need beginner's guide to sewing, including ten essential booklets covering a whole range of needlecrafts. The first booklet, Sew Box Basics is your get-started-guide to basic stitching techniques, from threading a needle to simple tips for machine sewing. An additional nine booklets introduce you to an incredible range of needlecrafts including applique, patchwork, hand sewing & sashiko. Each mini book features fresh & modern projects ideal for customizing clothes & making unique gifts & keepsakes for you & your friends. ...

How to Sew: Applique (Digital Edition) This is a PDF Ebook version of How to Sew: Applique. Unleash your creativity with this book covering all of the basics of appliqu sewing & design! This highly adaptable skill is described in step-by-step detail, with easy to follow projects, professional tips, fun variations & ideas which will inspire you to make unique projects of your own. Use the techniques from the projects to jazz up your old clothes & furnishings, make a practical but sassy washing bag & even beautiful vintage laced decorations. ...

How to Sew: Basics (Digital Edition) This is a PDF Ebook version of How to Sew: Basics This brilliant little guide covers all the essential basics of sewing, including how to choose the best fabrics & threads for projects, in clear & simple points. Learn skills in amazing sewing crafts such as cross-stitch, patchwork & quilting. This book provides all you need to know to start your own projects today, including indispensable advice for inserting zips & making & using bias bindings. ...

How to Sew: Bead Embroidery (Digital Edition) This is a PDF Ebook version of How to Sew: Bead Embroidery. Add a bit of sparkle & glamour to clothes, home ware, gifts, & even other sewing projects you are making, with this essential guide to decorate embroidery beading. Covering the basics of beading, including how to select the perfect beads, threads & colours, essential techniques, using embroidery hoops & bead suppliers this book is not to be missed! The endless creative possibilities of beading are explored here, with projects ranging from pot-pourri sachets to stunning decorations & decorative boxes; the perfect inspiration for gifts & gorgeous pieces to adorn your home. ...

How to Sew: Decorative Sewing (Digital Edition) This is a PDF Ebook version of How to Sew: Decorative Sewing. The beautiful & delicate art of decorative sewing is explained in easy-to-follow basics & projects in this useful little guide. Never again settle for plain h&-sewn projects! Add your own unique colour & style & adorn your projects with a variety of gorgeous decorative stitches. This essential book is complete with easy to follow techniques, diagrams & tips to help you get the most from your sewing. Gorgeous projects include beautiful floral greeting cards, a pretty decorated pencil case & a highly versatile cross-stitch sampler, which will all help to boost & perfect your skills. ...