Customer Reviews

The Handweaver's Pattern Directory

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I seldom buy books new, full priced. I'm far too cheap for that (and besides, I'd rather spend my money on yarn or fiber!). But I am SO very glad I splurged on this one and pre-ordered it so I'd get it as soon as it came out.

It is an incredible resource for weavers. Each of the patterns is accompanied by a sharp photo of the sample, with "close up" views of many. The directions are clear and in keeping with standard Interweave publications (as in Handwoven). There are short but valuable chapters on general weaving, supplies, yarns, etc., although the emphasis -- and the value -- is on the patterns.

I've been a weaver for about 20 years and I own a fairly substantial library of weaving books and have owned, at one time or another, nearly every issue of Handwoven and Weaver's Journal magazines. Yet there were still many patterns in this book I do not think I've ever seen.

The patterns are categorized by types, from simple tabby and twills to complex distorted weft , bronson and even hand manipulated weaves. All are threaded for a four-shaft loom. See "customer images" under the photo above for a scan of a sample page.

The physical layout and design of the book is excellent as well. With the heavy duty spiral binding, it lays flat for easy reference and there is even a pull out "flap" in the back with the "legend" for the patterns, so you don't have to flip back and forth to figure out the drafts (although they're very intuitive and standard).

This book should serve me well for my next 20 years of weaving, which means it will cost me slightly more than a buck a year! That's an investment well worth making.

This was an amazing directory for such a low price. Other directories (for other crafts) have been so expensive that only schools or libraries could afford them. Very complete, the photos were excellent. Each photo was a closeup and came with detailed directions. Some of the complex weaves had a photo of the reverse side too.

Other books seem to make you think that to be a creative or complete weaver, you need more than 4 shafts. This book proved that is not true.

This book is perfect for a beginning or advanced weaver.

I was a bit wary of another pattern book for weavers. There are so many. This one is a keeper. Well organized, tons of info and tips. Excellent photos without taking up the whole book (insets show close-ups). Rather than read paragraphs full of praise from me, buy this book. It's bound to go on to many printings. It's a classic.

If you own, or dream of owning, a four-harness loom, this is the one book you need to keep you busy experimenting for many years. The samples are woven in rich color and photographed cleanly, the threading and treadling diagrams are simple and straightforward. The spiral binding is sturdy, but you need to loosen the pages near the end the first time you wander through. If you, your loom, and a trunk of fiber are ever marooned on a desert isle, you might never build that signal fire. . . .

This is the best basic book on weaving I have seen for a long time
Every pattern shows the finished result as a cloth and not a drawdown-all in colour.
It belongs in every weavers library.

This is a very good book and I am delighted to have added it to my library. In my opinion, this book replaces Davidson's classic pattern book, which has been the staple for 4-shaft patterns for oh so long. Although the patterns are identical for all intents and purposes (there being only so much you can do with 4-shafts), this book improves upon Davidson in the following important ways:

1. Davidson is in black and white. The beautiful color images in this book add a dimension that hugely enhances the reader's understanding of patterns.
2. Davidson's patterns are tiny and the directions are small, hard to read and there are a number of annoying errors that can mislead a beginner. The schematics in this book are really easy to follow and I have not so far found any errors. It is much more user friendly.
3. This book has a spiral binding that makes it ideal for leaning on top of the loom open to any page.
4. The book includes interesting and very clear explanations of the theory behind the weave structures.

I heartily recommend this book to any 4-shaft weaver.

An excellent guide to weaving and 600 patterns. The first part of the book is dedicated to weaving terms and techniques, with illustrations. The bulk of the book is treadle and heddle diagrams and color photos of the patterns created. A beautiful, lush and textural book.

I was only recently made aware that in earlier editions of this book there are errors in threading and/or treadling on some patterns...I don't know if other reviewers have mentioned this or not. Thankfully Interweave Press ([...]) has a list of corrections available on their website. Not all of the errors were in my edition, but several were. I'd be a good idea to check for them. Otherwise, it's great and beautifully done; quite an amazing resource.

This is a must-have for any weaver, especially if you have a 4-harness loom. It is not, as it has been billed to me, a replacement for Marguerite Davison's classic "Handweaver's Pattern Book," I'm still glad I have that book, but as Davison is getting hard to find and expensive, this puppy has appeared on the horizon just in the nick of time. It has several major advantages over Davison's book. The pictures of the samples are in color and take up most of each page so you can see how the weaves actually work. The colors are chosen not for attractiveness but to help you see what is going on with each weave. Many of the pictures also include magnified insets that let you to see either an important detail or the reverse side of the work. The spiral binding is a very nice, and very much appreciated, touch. If I have a quibble with Dixon's book, it is that she doesn't write as well as Davison. This is really more of an "Eyewitness Guide" kind of approach. But it is a fine book nonetheless.

This book has colored photos of the cloth that is woven from the designs shown. This is very helpful! I like the spiral binding that enables it to lay flat. Resources are listed for various looms and yarns, tools and supplies. The index is helpful and includes many details. There is a glossary to explain different weaving terms. There are even colorful pictures and insturctions for finishing your piece, showing various edgings. Instruction for calculating the warp length is included as well at sett and weave structure, plus much more!

I wish the print was larger in places, but I would recommend this book as a must for every weaver!