Thursday 11 October 2012

Stitch By Stitch

I've been meaning to tell you about this book for some time now. I bought it months back, not really knowing much about it, but I'm so pleased that I did. It's called Stitch By Stitch and it's by Jane Bull. I think the book is aimed primarily at children, but it's got the subheading A Beginner's Guide To Needlecraft, and that's really what it is.


It's a Dorling Kindersley book, so as you can imagine, the illustrations are wonderful and so clear.

The book goes through all aspects of needlecraft, embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, applique, knitting and crochet. It starts right at the beginning with the very basics, teaches lots of different stitches and gives instructions for some wonderful projects. It tells you what you'll need for each individual project, and gives lots of handy tips along the way.

I thought I'd show you a few of my favourite things from the book.

Pretty Birdies. This is in the embroidery section.


Squares And Triangles. This is in the patchwork section.


Mmm ... Doughnuts. This is in the applique section.


The Lollipop Dolls. This is in the knitting section.


Crowls. This is in the crochet section.


Bags Of Stripes. This is in the crochet section.


This is only a small selection of projects which are in the book, there's many, many more.

Eleanor has been trying to learn to knit for such a long time. She managed the basic knit stitch, but could never keep the right number of stitches on the needle, either dropping a few on each row, or else picking up ones which weren't there. With the help of this book, she's managed to follow one of the patterns, and even though she went wrong on one of the rows, she had the confidence to take it back herself and sort it out. She's also taught herself to crochet using the instructions from this book, in fact she knows more crochet stitches than I do now.

I'd definitely recommend the book. It would make a lovely Christmas present for a young child just starting out on their needlecrafting journey, or for an older child, like Eleanor, who knows the very basics but wants to learn a little more and have some fun projects to make. It would even make a great gift to yourself. I fully intend to make some of the projects in the book, they're so fun and cute.

38 comments:

  1. What a lovely post, I was so pleased to see the review as i've been thinking of getting this book for some time..think I definitely will now - perhaps it will teach me a thing or two as well as my daughter! :)

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    1. It's certainly taught me some things. I'm sure your daughter will love it, there's some great little projects in it.

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  2. That looks like a good buy. I want to learn how to crochet - so may well look this one up or put it on my Christmas present list! Thanks for sharing!
    June

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    1. It's primarily aimed at children, so all the instructions are so clear, and the projects are great to get you going.

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  3. Looks like a fab book :-) I always find DK books good.

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    1. The illustrations are always so clear in DK books. The step by step instructions are great too.

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  4. What a great book for a beginner, and those projects are lovely :D

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    1. I love all the projects in the book, they're so cute, and at just the right level for beginners.

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  5. Nifty little book... gotta love those doughnuts with NO calories...
    Susan x

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    1. They're the sort of doughnuts I like, the kind which don't put any weight on.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this, I wonder if it can help me progress from just a basic chain in crochet!
    Lisa x

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    1. It certainly helped Eleanor. Have you tried YouTube? I learnt how to crochet from the turorials on there.

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  7. Thats a brilliant book with some great ideas. It's my birthday coming up and my mum and dad are giving me some money to buy some crafting books.I love them, I just need more time to be able to make things from them!

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    1. I love craft books too, but as you say, you get so many ideas from them but don't have the time to put them in to practice.

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  8. Hi Jo. I have this book. I must confess I did buy it for myself but I really do like it. The projects are so sweet and simple, just what I need when I get home from work and my "crafty brain" is not in full swing xxx

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    1. I love the book too. I think there's some great projects in there. I'm definitely going to give lots of them a go, I just need more time.

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  9. Maybe that is the book I need to teach myself crochet!

    Pomona x

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    1. It certainly helped Eleanor learn. It shows quite a few stitches, and then has lots of little projects which are great for beginners.

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    1. I haven't made anything from the book yet myself, but Eleanor has. There's lots of little projects that I want to have a go at though.

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  11. Thanks for the book review and tip. THis might be perfect for my little girl for Christmas. She turns 6 soon and it very interested in sewing, and I think these projects will appeal to her.

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    1. There's some great projects to follow. Nothing too complicated, and great to keep a little one's interest.

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  12. What a lovely book! You were right about it being strange hubby and I going on holidays on our own again after many years of family hols. I am getting less anxious about leaving the babies!!!! And dare I say it, I quite like it! No moaning when I want to walk for miles! xxx

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    1. I've got a couple of years yet before I'll be leaving Eleanor, but I can't quite imagine what it'll be like when it's just the two of us again.

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  13. I love DK books. I have a guide to crochet and it's beautifully clear. I might buy this for my neice because she is always making things and is really creative. Jx

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    1. I'll have to look out for the crochet book. The thing I love about this book is that there's so many different needlecraft techniques in it. I think it will be a well used book.

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  14. Hi, thanks for posting about the book, its perfect for MY Xmas Eve pressie! Father Christmas always leaves us a Hamper each and I was after a book to go in mine - away to order it now, Helen :]]

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    1. I love the hamper idea, I might have to borrow that one. Have a look on The Book People's website. I got it from there at the bargainous price of £3.99.

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    2. Hi, ordered it from the book people and got free delivery. On Xmas Eve Father Christmas leaves a little hamper for each of us if we've been good [I get a neighbour to stash it for us and then deliver, knock on the door and run lol] Just little pressies - plate, cup, sweet, cheap dvd, cheap book, mini alcoholic drink for K and I etc, builds up the excitement, all wrapped up with cellophane bought from Ebay, Helen x

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    3. That's it, I'm definitely copying that idea, it sounds fun. Hope you like the book. There's a few books I want to order from The Book People at the moment but I've been waiting for a free delivery code, I haven't had one sent yet.

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  15. This looks so good. I think I may buy it for my daughter, though I think I may get as much (or more) enjoyment from it! x

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    1. I'm definitely going to make some of the things in the book. Why should kids get all the pleasure from these gorgeous books?

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  16. Looks like a great book, I like it when a book has clear instructions to follow. I think the birdies and the crochet owl are just adorable!
    Magie x

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    1. There's so many lovely projects, I don't know which I'll make first. The birdies and crochet owl were amongst my favourites too.

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  17. I think it would suit me actually. I envy people who craft and would love to be better at it myself.

    Thanks for the recommendation Jo.

    Sft x

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    1. I love simple projects like these, they're not daunting like some I've seen, especially for a beginner like me.

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  18. What a lovely book! I'd love to make those birds for my daughter Hannah!

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    1. Those birds are so cute, aren't they? I'm not very good where sewing is involved, but these small projects make me feel that I could, perhaps, achieve something.

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