Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Woolly Embroidery: Crewelwork, Stump Work, Canvas Work, and More! (Paperback)

by Chronicle Books (Author) "The accessory box on the left shows an embroidery design of a cute squirrel with fluffy fur..." (more)
Key Phrases: tapestry wool, crewel wool, embroidery thread, Thread Colors Reference Charts, Anchor Marlitt, Special Ultrafine Wool (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
We translated the cutest Japanese patterns we could find to bring you the appeal of authentic Japanese content with the ease of English instruction. The result is such a treat. With Woolly Embroidery, learn how to add stunning designs to clothes and home accessories using simple crewel, stump work, canvas work, and other embroidery techniques. And it's so easy to pick up. If you can sew a button, you can embroider—it doesn't involve any complicated patterns or grids, just forgivingly freeform stitching. All you need is a needle and some wool thread. Helpful illustrations explain more than 30 decorative stitches so you can follow the instructions and color guides exactly or improvise your own motifs. With dozens of photographs to inspire, you'll want to embellish everything in your world-handbags, couch cushions, a sewing kit case, and so much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811860868
• ISBN-13: 978-0811860864
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,818 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't be Crewel, May 5, 2008

By	J. Ballot (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ack ack ack. Sorry for the pun in the title, I just couldn't resist. This book was a big disappointment, I'm afraid. The cover looks so hip and fun, so I was expecting more of the same inside, but it's actually very "country crafts" and old-fashioned (NOT in a good way). THE NEW CREWEL is a much better book. There are only 15 projects in this book, which I think is kind of skimpy. I'm vaguely interested in making the pillow (from the cover of the book) and one handbag, but that's it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Remember it *is* from a Japanese book, July 2, 2009

By	Francie Horton (Texas) - See all my reviews

The next two books are courtesy of the Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts book series by Chronicle Books. The series includes four books: Amigurumi, Fuzzy Felted Friends, Lacy Crochet and Woolly Embroidery. Since I don't crochet I only have the embroidery and felting books.

The books were originally published in Japanese and have been translated into English. We've all run into badly translated foreign movies, instructions, and websites. These are nothing like that. They have been remarkably well done. The only thing that gives away their foreign nature is the naivete of the text.

Woolly Embroidery begins with 33 pages of color photos of the motifs and projects. This is followed by a guide to wool embroidery, useful tools and materials and thread color charts. There are also clear illustrations for 30 different decorative stitches. I find that particularly useful. The patterns are adorable, some even having a touch of that 1970's crewelwork look that's so popular.

Fuzzy Felted Friends is laid out in the same manner, with about half the book being full color photos of the projects. Several pages of step-by-step photos of the different techniques follow. The instructions for the projects are next and, fortunately, have both metric and standard measurements. It includes projects for wet and dry felting, for both felted animals and pouches/bags, for useful items and purely decorative cuteness.

I would say these books are suited to the crafter who has had some experience.However, they do have projects that are do-able by the beginner with a little bit of patience. I do wish there was a little bit more substance to each of them but $15 for an 80 page softcover book is still fairly reasonable.

4.0 out of 5 stars Super cute Japanese crafts!, April 25, 2009

By	Lynn C. Adesko "tpm" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a Japanese craft enthusiast and I think this book is completely adorable! The designs are fresh and creative and simple enough for a beginning or intermediate stitcher. I would say that the designs are a mix of updated versions of more traditional stitching motifs (flora, leaves, etc.) as well as original designs of birds other critters. If you are looking for something ultra-modern or uber-hip, there are many other books that cater to that. My only complaint is that the book seems a little light on content, but I think it is a very worthy addition to my stitching library.