The Jumbo Book of Needlecrafts

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

Geared to the fashion tastes of preteen and teen crafters, this large
volume contains beginner knitting, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, and
sewing projects. An introductory section on basic supplies, fabrics, and
hand-sewing stitches opens the manual, and an index concludes it.

The section on knitting provides information on materials, casting on
and off, most-used stitches, increasing and decreasing, and helpful
tips; it features 11 simple projects for the beginner. The crocheting
chapter discusses materials, basic techniques and stitches, turning work
and knotting, and adding fringe; it provides 10 projects. The embroidery
chapter, which details materials and stitches, also explains how to use
an embroidery hoop, transfer a pattern, and use tracing paper, and
includes 11 projects. Alphabet and number patterns—as well as
templates for several of the projects—can be photocopied. Information
on basic quilting stitches and materials prepare the crafter to produce
the 11 appliqué projects in the quilting section. Basic machine
stitches pave the way to complete the 13 simple projects in the sewing
section, which are tailored to the modern adolescent girl’s tastes in
clothes and accessories.

The needlecraft projects are presented in clear, easy-to-understand
numbered steps. Each is prefaced with an itemized list of materials.
Colour diagrams and photographs elucidate the instructions. Many of the
projects have an “Other Ideas” addendum that provides alternatives
to the original concept. Recommended.