Needlepoint Notebook: Stitches Inspired by Carolyn’s Travels, Carolyn Hedge Baird, 2020
Returning to many of her other books’ compact page format, Carolyn’s newest book is based on the notebooks she has kept for many years as she traveled around the country teaching. Many teachers who travel, and some stitchers as well, travel with notebooks to record stitches. I can remember first hearing about a pretty whirling stitch in a book because the designer saw it in a shop, copied it down & called it “silly stitch.” I also loved it and immediately used it on a project. Later I found out other names for the stitch.
In another book, Brenda Hart has a stitch based on the brick pattern from a wall near a shop where she taught. I have also designed stitches based on brickwork.
This book is Carolyn’s notebook. As a book version of the notebook, it has lots more than stitches. You’ll find restaurant recommendations for places near popular shops, book ideas, packing tips, and lots more in Carolyn’s chatty style.
The stitches are grouped into ten chapters, each based on a type of stitch. Most of the stitches are clearly graphed and often have more than one variation or direction is included, sometimes on the same diagram. I like that for many stitches; she has a story about why the stitch has its name. I was using the Reba Rug Stitch, page 158, on a project last week. I’m delighted that this stitch is named for the rug in a building near Needle Nook of La Jolla.
Some chapters cover techniques, such as Blackwork, Pattern Darening, or layered stitches, that should be more often seen in needlepoint. Another great aspect of the book is that the stitch diagrams show the possibilities for adding beads or using multiple threads. I tend not to do this in my own work, but so many stitchers do; I am glad to see this treated here.
Unlike many of Carolyn’s earlier books, the diagrams in this book are consistent and clear; very few of them are hand-drawn. The different symbols in the diagrams are clear and easy to tell apart from each other. When stitches are complicated or can use several threads, this is very important to readers.
I’ve been using this book to work on a project currently, and I have enjoyed it. It’s an eclectic potpourri with tons of great stitches.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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