For crafters who like their stitching with a twist, this book reworks or reimagines fine embroidery and cute craft imagery so that they cross over to the dark side. Think charming cottages with roses around the door - and trash and abandoned vehicles in the front yard, or napkins embroidered with pretty but poisonous plants. Projects include a RIP (read in peace) bookmark, a butterfly and skulls tote bag, and a pig strikes back barbecue apron. Inspired by popular culture and street art, it's the craft equivalent of the Jane Austin and vampire novel smash-up and is guaranteed to amuse. The book contains 30 original cross stitch and embroidery designs, organised by project type (eg home or clothing). Projects include pictures, cards, cushions and accessories. Twisted Stitches also features instructions on techniques for new stitchers. All projects use DMC threads.

The essential guide to using simple twisted stitches to add interest and beauty to handknits Master the simple and addictive art of the twisted stitch. The basics are easy to learn, and the design possibilities (and twist combinations that come to light once you begin) are almost endless. The book starts with a treasure trove of twisted stitch variations, starting with patterns made from diagonals and building from there—adding horizontal and vertical elements, combining twisted stitches with lace or polygon knitting, and pushing boundaries with patterns that twist stitches in every row for more advanced textures. The book offers 125-plus stitch patterns, along with guidance on how the twists are engineered and how knitters can create designs of their own. Norah’s always-clear instructions are presented in a conversational, easy-to-understand voice that proceeds naturally as one twisted stitch leads to the next. Readers can test their newfound skills with the 15 garment patterns included—irresistible designs for hats, wraps, sweaters, and more.

174 traditional stitch patterns from the author's collection, plus instructions for jackets, vests and elegant stockings.

From the author of How Paris Became Paris, a sweeping history of high finance, the origins of high fashion, and a pair of star-crossed lovers in 18th-century France. Paris, 1719. The stock market is surging and the world's first millionaires are buying everything in sight. Against this backdrop, two families, the Magoulets and the Chevrots, rose to prominence only to plummet in the first stock market crash. One family built its name on the burgeoning financial industry, the other as master embroiderers for Queen Marie-Thérèse and her husband, King Louis XIV. Both patriarchs were ruthless money-mongers, determined to strike it rich by arranging marriages for their children. But in a Shakespearean twist, two of their children fell in love. To remain together, Louise Magoulet and Louis Chevrot fought their fathers' rage and abuse. A real-life heroine, Louise took on Magoulet, Chevrot, the police, an army regiment, and the French Indies Company to stay with the man she loved. Following these families from 1600 until the Revolution of 1789, Joan DeJean recreates the larger-than-life personalities of Versailles, where displaying wealth was a power game; the sordid cells of the Bastille; the Louisiana territory, where Frenchwomen were forcibly sent to marry colonists; and the legendary "Wall Street of Paris," Rue Quincampoix, a world of high finance uncannily similar to what we know now. The Queen's Embroiderer is both a story of star-crossed love in the most beautiful city in the world and a cautionary tale of greed and the dangerous lure of windfall profits. And every bit of it is true.

Vicki will teach the basics of Twigg stitch: casting on, handling yarns, increasing and decreasing, changing colours, and knitting in the round. She also provides a stitch dictionary of basic to more complex colour patterns, textured patterns, and cables. Ten patterns round out the book, from simple hats and mit's to a shaped lace shawl.A brand-new technique for creating completely reversible knits.Readers will discover a new type of colour knitting that produces a fully reversible fabric with mirrored or completely different sides. Worked by knitting two yarns at the same time, Twigg stitch allows the knitter to create two completely different fabrics. Not only can the knitter create simple reversible colourwork, but also different cable patterns or even lace that is a different colour on each side.Unique and fascinating as the technique is, it's not difficult to master. Anyone with basic knitting skills can quickly learn. Vicki will teach the basics of Twigg stitch: casting on, handling yarns, increasing and decreasing, changing colours, and knitting in the round. She also provides a stitch dictionary of basic to more complex colour patterns, textured patterns, and cables.Ten patterns round out the book, from simple hats and mit's, demonstrating the stitch in its most basic form, to a shaped lace shawl.|A brand-new technique for creating completely reversible knitting. Readers will discover a new type of colour knitting that produces a fully reversible fabric with mirrored or completely different sides. Worked by knitting two yarns at the same time, Twigg stitch allows the knitter to create two completely different fabrics. Not only can the knitter create simple reversible colourwork, but also different cable patterns or even lace that is a different colour on each side. Unique and fascinating as the technique is, it's not difficult to master. Anyone with basic knitting skills can quickly learn. The reversible knitting of Twigg Stitch teaches the basics of casting on, handling yarns, increasing and decreasing, changing colours, and knitting in the round. Vicki also provides a stitch dictionary of basic to more complex colour patterns, textured patterns, and cables. Ten patterns round out the book, from simple hats and mit's, demonstrating the stitch in its most basic form, to a shaped lace shawl.

Find endless inspiration with this photo guide to embroidery stitches. Discover the 120 hand-embroidery stitches that every embroiderer should have in their stitching arsenal, with clear, step-by-step photos you can come back to time and again! Contemporary needlework teacher Sharon Boggon’s forward-thinking ideas will help you view hand embroidery through a vibrant new lens. Beginners and seasoned embroiderers will gain the confidence to create new patterns by playing with the stitches—manipulating the height and width, making asymmetrical loops, stacking up designs, or filling multiple rows with the same stitch. With so many creative variations and the author’s gorgeous samplers, you’ll be inspired to incorporate new techniques in your own crazy quilts and modern projects. Essential guide to surface embroidery! 120 contemporary stitches, including left-hand stitches, with step-by-step photos See how tiny tweaks to each stitch can take your needlework to unexpected places Play up the possibilities with modern fill patterns, asymmetry, luscious texture, and crazy quilting

This collection focuses on cable, bias and twist techniques. Featuring 10 new designs, this book is illustrated throughout with beautiful photography shot on location in central Italy.Each pattern contains a range of sizes, and all patterns are provided in both written and charted format to meet every knitters' needs.Also included are fully illustrated tutorials covering the specialist techniques required to knit the Hats in this collection.