Celtic Needlepoint

By Alice Starmore

Book Overview

Author Alice Starmore brings you 18 original projects inspired by the artistry of the Celts. Using her stunning eye for design and knowledge of traditional designs, Alice Starmore brings you 18... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570760063
• ISBN13: 9781570760068
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Pub
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 2.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 12.8" x 0.8" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

From the Author of "The Fair Isle Knitting Handbook"

This is Alice Starmore's first Needlepoint book, which shows her diversity of needle skills. As with all of Alice's books, there is nothing skimped or overlooked. This is not only an introduction to Needlepoint but also what makes Celtic their history and culture. We are treated to a smorgasbord of color from great photographs of Irish landscapes to actual Needlepoint patterns in this oversized book. I am only interested in the patterns; however, the projects that are presented in this book are useful items, such as a hexagonal knotwork cushion and a circular bird stool cover. Even though there is a list of tools and yarns to use for these projects, some being out of date, you will probably have good substitutes and your existing stash. Aside from its practical value, this also makes a good coffee-table book.

Lush, rich, luxurious

These are just some of the words that will come to mind when you see the patterns in this book. Alice Starmore is a genius at bringing simple patterns to life with vivid colorways. Many of the patterns can be used for other projects or crafts, for example, using variagated yarns and converting a cushion to a sweater. There are patterns for all skill levels, from a bookmark to a rug. The photography is wonderful as well, and all of the items are placed in beautiful still-lifes. Alice Staremore's Celtic Needlepoint makes as nice a coffee-table book as pattern book. Highly recommended for lovers of fiber arts as well as Celtic arts.

This book sent me to Ireland

This is the most thoughtfully laid out book of needlework I have ever seen--a friend and I wrestled for the only copy at a bookshop when it was between printings! Both the photos of Ireland and of the needlework "at home" are glorious. I've done a few of the designs and they've turned out wonderfully--my only caveat is that the graph colors can be difficult to distinguish, as is often the case with needlepoint charts, particularly British ones. Also, Appleton yarns can be hard to find in the U.S., but in these days of the internet, who cares? I'm confused by the other reviews as this is most definitely not a knitting book.

An excellent book on Celtic Needlework

Alice Starmore has written an excellent book on Celtic Needlework, that includes Key & Spiral Patterns, Knotwork, Bird & Tree and Animal Patterns. Each project is wonderfully illustrated with large colour charts and detailed technical advice. I enjoyed changing the colours and inventing my own special touch