Customer Reviews

Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A beautiful, well laid out, colorful book full of information and enthusiasm. Ventura writes from a practical and intimate place earned by what must have been many, many hours experimenting with the techniques, designing and creating the projects, and dealing with the mundane task-joys and pitfalls-of acquiring thread, yarn, and beads.
The illustrations and photos are clear and informative. I needed the very basic beginner instructions supplied as I have minimal experience with crochet-coming from a extensive beadweaving and a bit of knitting and knotting background. She also has complete instructions for left-handed crocheters to get started and never forgets about them. [Instead of her suggestion to read the graph in a mirror, with all the ways we have of reversing images now, I would probably photocopy/print off a reversed graph to work from. If you are worried about respecting copyright laws, obviously check for yourself before doing.]
I also liked that there was a photo for each project in the Table of Contents. From here, I knew exactly which would be my first project. It makes for easier shopping too as I am not constantly flipping through the whole book to find my project and its materials list. I also liked that her "Supplier List" page lists the projects under each supplier-also making shopping easier.
I also liked her selective use of color in the written pattern to make it even easier to read and follow.
Her tips are also very down to earth and useful-like "when choosing a color, keep in mind that darker colors are harder to work with because they are more difficult to see"-and send a newbie off in the direction of self-exploration a little further along.
Her choice of a simple two staple binding also make for a book that lays flat without having to break the spine.

From the time I first found Carol Ventura's patterns on her website, I have been "hooked" on doing her patterns. Her patterns are easy to follow. Plus, one can change yarns and hooks in doing the patterns.
Being an armchair traveler, I love learning where different ideas come from. Also, learning different patterns from other countries gives me a connection to other peoples and their craft.
This book and Carol Ventura's other Tapestry crochet books are certainly worth more than the patterns from other crochet pattern books I have bought and own.

Don't let the outside of this book fool you! Inside it is just full of information useful to those who have crocheted awhile as well as those who are new to the art.

Inside you will find not only patterns for unique and interesting gifts (or items for yourself!) but details on how to personalize this technique as well as instructions for left- and right-handed people.

There are close-up photographs showing the beads so you can see exactly what kind is being used. It also has detailed information about how to get the beads added to the project.

Not familiar with felting? You can be comfortable following the instructions and progressive photographs thoughtfully included.

I whole-heartedly recommend the purchase of this book. It is one that can be passed through the generations and used as a reference work for crocheting.

This book is extremely well written. The graphs and photos are extraordinary, and the instructions are very clear. I feel like I'm having private lessons right in my own home! This is such a fun technique and I urge all crocheters to try it. All of Carol's books offer a wide variety of projects sure to please everyone.

I am a Knitter with a capital K. I use crochet to decorate and edge and embellish my knitting. I don't know what tempted me to Carol Ventura - but I'm hooked. (Sorry for the pun.) The instructions are wonderful, the ideas are as practical as they are fresh, and the technique is an incredible treasure to add to any yarn addict's workbag. The next best thing about these engaging projects is that they do indeed fit in your traveller's workbag - they are portable, always interesting - and yet still easy to pick up and put down. Doesn't matter which book of hers you pick - you can begin the technique from any of them and the only tools you really need are basic size crochet hooks.

The third book that Carol has written on the subject.
Easy to understand and follow patterns. A good addition to the library.
Beading and felting, both new to me, well explained and illustrated.
Can stand-alone, as all basic instructions are reiterated.

A new hobby to keep you interested with an old craft.

I would like to see Ms Ventura write a book with more "flat" patterns that we can use for afghans.

This was an expensive book, twenty dollars for less than 75 pages. When it arrived there was a loose sheet of "corrections" enclosed. Of the 16 projects 6 of them needed corrections, over 1/3rd of the entire book. More Tapestry Crochet by this same author, priced at thirty dollars, also came with a loose sheet of corrections though not as many as this book percentage wise. I would not reccoment buying this book for a library collection for this reason.

Amazing book! There only appear to be three books on this topic in the world----and Carol wrote them all!

I bought this book as a gift. The person I bought it for really enjoyed it.

I haven't tried any of the projects; however, the directions seem to make sense. The author also has a very nice website.