Customer Reviews

200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book because I wanted to start making my own cores for embellishing with beads and decorative ends and cords to showcase focal beads from the multitude of gorgeous hand-dyed embroidery floss out there.

This book provided thousands of design possibilities and is an instant favorite in my collection. Each braid is very clearly illustrated, and includes several variations (all shown in photos) for each braid based on strand thickness or type of cord. Exact instructions for each variation is also provided--I have never seen a book so detailed. For someone like me who gets frustrated seeing something I like in the gallery or variations section of a book but then can't reproduce it, this is a great idea.

I was also pleased that the title "200 Braids" was true. Usually when books say they include X number of something, what is often included are a number of pretty close variations and quite a few uninspired items just to fill the quota given in the title. Not the case here. 200 unique braids give you a lot to choose from.

Profusely illustrated on every page, "200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, Or Weave" by braid making expert and instructor Jacqui Carey offers everything you need to know to create personalized braided trims for clothing, furnishings, greeting cards, jewelry, totes, gift wraps, floral arrangements, gift wrapping, and any other crafts project. Features with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are all of the techniques necessary including twisting, knotting, interloping, weaving, braiding, loopwork, ply-split darning, working with beads, and creating braids from start to finish. The techniques are categorized by the materials used, color combinations, and textures, with each braid featured in a lovely close-up full color photograph. Each braid also features a materials list, and is ranked accordingly to difficulty of execution. Ideal for the novice, "200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, Or Weave" has a great deal of value to offer even the more experienced braider seeking to incorporate braids into textile projects, couching down braids to form decorative designs, hiding ends in seams, edging, and using war ends to form decorative finishes. "200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, Or Weave" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and professional Needlecraft, Braiding, and hand Weaving instructional reference collections.

jacqui carey has produced another first-rate instruction manual. the selection of techniques brings together methods from weaving as well as braiding and knotting, so nearly every crafter will find something new to them. there are even instructions for using a lucet, not the most common textile tool. there is a very brief section on basic tassel making, enough to provide a finishing element for the braids.

the book is beautifully organized. the instructions are clear and thoroughly illustrated. as always, carey includes the construction details that make the process easier and that result in professional quality work.

the best part of the book is carey's incredible inventiveness. even with the simplest technique, her combinations of texture, weight, and color create lovely, striking and elegant results.

the braids could be used by anyone involved with textiles--embellish clothing, hats, purses, make belts; decorate pillows, upholstery and curtains. use them as jewelry. the quick ones could be used to tie presents for stylish presentation. endless possiblities.

carey is english, so many of the terms for yarn might not be familiar to american readers. but the photos are very clear, so finding equivalents would not be a problem.

a really useful, inspiring resource.

Let me preface my review by stating that I am a professional artist. I am always looking to expand my creative vocabulary and decided to explore the art of braiding.

This is a beautifully designed, well written guide to braiding for the novice. The step by step photos and clear instructions had me knocking out braids left and right. It's a real page turner. So imagine my dismay when I turned page 107 to discover that I had finished Section One and the new technique tutorials were over. I counted approximately 25 braiding techniques plus finishing instructions.

Section Two - "The Braid and Trim Collection" is just that; a gallery of examples of each of the previously taught techniques. Each of these images includes a list or diagram of the materials used so that you can replicate the braid. I was expecting another 125 NEW braiding techniques instead of more than 125 pages of variations on a theme. Hence the disappointment.

I was not looking for a pattern book. As inspiring as the braids in Section Two are, I feel that a much smaller sampling of what can be achieved by varying materials would have sufficed.

Purse and bag knitters are in for a treat if they haven't yet tried braided handles and ties. There are some here with beading, some with added ribbons and cords, and some that build on the basic yarn braiding technique that most knitters use. If you are looking for something beyond I-cord and purchased leather handles to complement the bags you design, you will be really inspired by this technique - and this book is a great one to start with!

This book has detailed instructions with color photographs of pretty much every step. The Braid and Trim Selector has clear, crisp, colorful, actual size photos of the various braids and trims covered in the book. And they are really beautiful. My only problem with the book is that it is in a rather small format (7.8X6.6x1 inches) and has correspondingly rather small print. I might prefer to photocopy pages and enlarge the size if I'm trying to follow the instructions for a particular item. I'm glad I bought this book and I look forward to trying many of these gorgeous trims. This really is a magnificent book.

I bought this book originally when I was looking for kumihimo books. Although it really isn't a kumihino book, I have found it to be a great resource. It's filled with examples of braids that can be created using a variety of techniques - weaving, macrame (knotting), twisting, and looping to name a few - and the photos are terrific.

In addition to a fairly extensive section that provides an overview of the techniques covered and includes a lot of step-by-step photos, there are pages and pages of glorious color photos of a large number of cords created using the various techniques discussed. Another plus - a section on including beads in the cord and a section on finishing techniques.

I highly recommend this book - it has endless uses are a reference.

This is without doubt the best braiding book I've ever found, though admittedly the title is slightly misleading. When it says "200" there are actually about 50 different types of braids and the rest are variations based on color/color position in the braid. While this may sound disappointing it is actually incredibly helpful. Every braid has detailed instructions and diagrams, helpful tips and colored pictures showing what the finished product will look like when different colors are used in different positions. This book not only shows you how to braid but makes it quick and easy to find the perfect braid for your project. The book also includes detailed sections on starting and ending your braid, as well as making tassles. I purchased this book to make my own handfasting chord and it is PERFECT, but I will also be using it to make my own trim and curtain tiebacks. I recommend getting the spiral copy of this book so you can have it open for reference while you braid.

lots of new methods and some old ones - clear, concise directions and many hours of braiding fun. Some experience is helpful

If you want to make some marvellous braids, this book is made for you !

The book is divided into 2 parts : technique and patterns.

Technique : you will find 87 pages of explanation for "twisting", "knotting", "interlooping", "weaving", "braiding" and "ply-split darning" techniques, and explanation for beginning and stopping your braid, and use beads.
All techniques are well illustrated to help us understanding explanation !

In the second part, you will find 200 patterns, classified by technique.

To sum up : a book full of technique and patterns !