New Anchor Book of Blackwork Embroidery Stitches

Ok, if anyone is really considering for the first looking into blackwork, this is my best suggestion for a beginner. And that's not to say this is simplistic. For once, the "Look Inside This Book" feature show some substantive pictures. The chess board is nice as well as the sampler. I've added a couple other images so you can just how clear the directions are. You can't make it any simpler than a close-up photo showing where the needle goes and what the thread looks like after each stitch. The book then gives you 19 pretty designs, each a little more involved with adding more colors and heavier shading. But it leads you through each step, tells you what fabric, what threads, what you can do with the design. Other books I've reviewed are much more complicated; I'm no expert but have been stitching my whole life. I like to read the complicated technique manuals and histories.But this is a nice little number. Strongly recommended for brand new beginner to intermediate.

Great book, makes everything clear with good pictures and guidance. Lots of designs included.

This is a lovely book filled with great illustrations and many, many fill patterns.It also has very clear diagrams and instructions for the back stitch, whipped back stitch, and cross stitch. Period.What it apparently doesn't consider essential is learning to do the double running stitch, which as a beginner I was most eager to learn about in more detail. This is the stitch that can produce reversible work.

This book is going to help me so much, with a great many projects in Blackwork! It has a very good "library" of information, as well as patterns. This book is well worth the price!I would recommend this book to all of my family, friends, and to you, the gentle reader, as well! This seller is a five star seller, for sure!

When I was much younger, I did a lot of crosswork -- but this is a step up from that. This is a great book for learning how to do blackwork -- with step by step guides to the designs. It also has some easy projects to start with. When you look at what you have made, it is gratifying!

The projects are mostly so-so except for the blackwork chessboard--which is why I bought this book. Good stitch diagrams, and for once the authors of this book anyway don't act like blackwork is some huge big complex deal. (It's not.) Don't care for the other projects much.

A ton of great patterns

My neighbor and I became interested in blackwork and although there is hardly any books with patterns out there, we did find this book very useful. I am happy with it and will use the patterns given in this book

I received this book today & am delighted with it. Good instructions, diagrams & patterns to work. I will get good use from this book as patterns are pretty & like a previous reviewer I will be able to adapt and make lovely items. The other reviewer was unhappy with type and paper but my copy is fine.The front of the book gives a short history of blackwork and then goes on to give advice on items needed & some tips on doing the designs & also diagrams of how to start a project. Next come the patterns which are shown completed at the top of the page & underneath is the plan of the design.At the end of the book there are designs for borders you can do so all in all a good book as far as I am concerned. I think it is good value for money as many books are twice the price.I have borrowed 2 books from my library on blackwork & neither was suitable but this Anchor book is exactly what I wanted. I did look at the inside section available before I ordered so had a good idea what the book entailed. If I had have been able to borrow this book from my library in the first instance, I would have immediately bought my own as did one of your other reviewers. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in blackwork that is why I have given it 5 stars. A winner in my opinion.

I had to return this book as someone bought me one as a surprise gift. It's an excellent introduction to blackwork. It is perfectly pitched as a starting point. It gives achievable projects so I wasn't put off. I love cross stitch but blackwork, although having cross sitches, is completely different. For example you do the outline first then use a variety of sitches to fill in. It's worth noting this book is just a starting point, it doesn't claim anything else, but it has inspired me.

Beginner guide fantastic choice.

I’ve never tried blackwork. This looks like a lovely way to get started. I’ve not begun yet but it all looks very clear. Excellent service and a lovely book.

As usual Anchor have produced An easy to understand book.Each type of stitch is explained well with great pictures so its easy to learn . Some lovely small projects to start learning black work as well.Definitely would recommend to anyone who wants to learn black work stitches.