You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers [Hardcover]

Kathleen Monaghan (Author), Hermon Joyner (Author)

Book Description

“Hooray! A weaving book for kids with projects that actually work....Some of the projects are small pouches, mug rugs, rag placemats, two tapestry samplers, and a great ikat dyed belt....There are beautiful photographs throughout....You Can Weave! could easily be enjoyed by students of any age....This book is indispensable.”—Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. For centuries, weaving has been a creative and practical part of every human culture across the globe. This well-illustrated collection of 18 step-by-step weaving projects, created by elementary-school art specialist Monaghan, captures that ancient legacy with contemporary flare. Divided into five chapters, the text explores the basics of weaving (with photos and step-by-step instructions), loom construction (cardboard, strap looms, and more), and potential mediums. From very simple paper placemats to complex beaded designs, Monaghan tackles each project clearly. The sophisticated design, with high-quality, often color photos, seems aimed more at grown-ups than at students, and younger children will need adult assistance in following the directions, despite their clarity. But older kids who love crafts won't be able to resist this how-to, which offers plenty of project fun. Kelly Halls
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Spokane, WA

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Davis (June 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871924935
• ISBN-13: 978-0871924933
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure for Weavers and Teachers, June 29, 2001

By 

Sandra Staff-Koetter (Rathdrum, ID) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers (Hardcover)

This book will be useful to anyone who has an interest in weaving. It is geared to those who teach elementary age children, art specialists, classroom teachers, daycare providers, summer school or camp instructors, and, of course, parents. The projects are aimed towards young weavers but could be used by anyone to learn how to weave with readily available materials.

The 18 projects move from easiest to most difficult building vocabulary and skills with each lesson. The vocabulary and materials are listed for each project. The directions are clearly stated and easy to follow. Each project is illustrated with excellent photographs. Interdisciplinary ideas are included for each chapter.

If you are a weaver you will love the sidebars of historical background and vivid photographs of cultural pieces for each of the projects. The colors and photographs are inspirational.

As a weaver for 30 years and an elementary teacher for 24 years I believe there is something here for every weaver and would be weaver.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant starter book., May 30, 2005

By 

Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers (Hardcover)

This is a lovely book, filled to the last page with wonderful ideas. I was lucky enough to have inherited my mother's table loom and am just now beginning to do a little background research on weaving before tackling the rather daunting equipment my mother left me. I found this title among those I was browsing and decided that it would be a good place to start. There are several techniques which are mentioned also in Weaving Without a Loom, another book I would recommend for beginners, but Monahoghan and Joyner's book goes several steps farther. Burningham introduces paper weaving, but these authors show visual techniques, similar to Escher's style of tricking the eye, introduce modifying frames, interwoven photos, and basket making to their repertoire. They show stick weaving, but introduce the use of straws to make the process smoother and color changes to add interest to the bands.

I was particularly impressed with the depth with which they showed techniques, particularly in tapestry work with colors added to create pictures. The Japanese braid work was also interesting as was some of their beading information. I particularly enjoyed the brief discussion of plaid and undertook the weaving of a small square which I used to make a passport bag for a friend going to London this summer.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good but somewhat flawed., November 1, 2002

By 

Anja "college librarian" (Alamosa, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Weave!: Projects for Young Weavers (Hardcover)

This book contains instructions for creative and enjoyable weaving projects. Instructions are clearly written and are well illustrated. Supplies required are easily available.

The title makes it sound as if it is a children's book (YOU can weave), and in some ways it is written as a child's book. But instructions are all addressed to a teacher of children. As a result, the book suffers slightly from a mixed identity.

Mixed in with the illustrations of completed projects done by students are photos of weavings done by knowledgeable weavers using different types of looms than those used in the book. These weavings are much more impressive in appearance than the children's weavings (logically so), but it can lead to disappointment if the reader thinks this book will enable him/her to produce items like those shown.