The Needlecraft Book, by Maggi Gordon, Sally Harding and Ellie Vance, is not a new release, but it is new to me! It was published in 2010 by DK Books. It’s a big fat resource book for all things needlecraft! Each chapter focuses on one type of needle craft, discussing tools and materials, basic techniques, stitch galleries and more.

The first chapter, Knitting, covers the basics with large clear photography, then continues with fun stuff like cables, lace knitting, colorwork and embellishments.

The Crochet chapter goes into great depth, explaining charts and written instruction abbreviations. I’m crochet-challenged, so I’m looking forward to sitting down and going through this chapter page by page!

The embroidery chapter covers a gazillion surface embroidery stitches plus white work, couching, smocking, beading and more!

The biggest surprise? The needlepoint chapter! Talk about eye-candy. Those big swoopy patterns on the right are called Bargello work, also known as Florentine. Really anxious to give this a try!

The next fabulous chapter is called Patchwork, Appliqué,and Quilting. Oh, boy! Now all of the things I wanted to know about quilting but was reluctant to ask are outlined right here. And the following chapter is full of general and decorative finishing techniques.

I really like this book. I find looking at all of the stitches and methods really inspiring. To be clear, however, this is a compilation of techniques, not a project book. There are no photos of (or instructions for) finished projects. But I can get plenty of that elsewhere! When I really want to know how to bind a quilt or add beads to my knitting, or learn to read a crochet chart, I know this has got it covered.
Do you enjoy technique books? What are your favorites?