Needlepoint: A Modern Stitch Dictionary

Emma Homent, (David & Charles, 2022, ISBN:9781446309141) $24.99

This cheery, colorful book is an outstanding resource for beginning needlepointers. It’s thoughtfully designed with features that will make both learning new stitches and creating projects easy. Written in a conversational style, the book includes helpful hints for every one of the 100 stitches diagrammed as well as interesting sidebars throughout.

The first chapter, Getting Started, covers the basics of needlepoint materials and tools. Unlike so many of the needlepoint books that have come out this year, Homent knows her stuff and gives solid advice. I particularly liked that she carefully explains how to read a chart.

The heart of the book is the stitch dictionary, which is divided into three chapters: Simple, Structured, and Statement. Each page has one or two stitches on it. Each stitch includes a photo of the stitch made with wool on interlock canvas along with a large color diagram with stitch numbers, followed by a short description and stitching notes. While some of the names won’t be familiar to American readers (for example, Condensed Mosaic for Diagonal Mosaic), the reader will find great stitches, some of which will be more challenging to beginners.

Throughout the stitch chapters, you’ll find pictures of the ten projects that make up the final section of the book. These projects are all easy and are charted. A complete materials list is included. A nice touch is that the stitches used are listed by chapter under the material list. The stitching instructions are complete and clear. Unusual for a needlepoint book are detailed, illustrated instructions on how to finish each project.

This book is an excellent and approachable method for starting needlepoint as well as a good stitch reference.