Pocket Book of Weaving

‘Mindful crafting’ describes this book perfectly. Author Claire Gelder speaks to beginners who may never have tried weaving before. Claire does not assume the reader knows about the required basic materials, or how to make a cardboard weaving frame, or how to fill a round embroidery frame, and more importantly how to start and finish any piece of work however small.

This little book explains all these techniques with a good balance of illustrations and text. Her descriptions of new knots or decorations are presented with great care and are followed up and developed.

The book has two clear sections, one on square frames and one on circular frames. They are progressive, i.e. starting at beginner’s level and ending with compliments to the reader on their achievement as a weaving artist. Claire finds this craft relaxing, it is simple, and she enjoys playing with colour and design.

Any reader who would like to do some tapestry weaving, make coasters, or decorate a bag, will find this book very useful. The author invites us to join her in her own exploration of a craft that was unfamiliar to her because she had never been exposed to a weaving loom. And now she is hooked!

-- Rosemary Mitchell Schuitevoerder, Tynedale Guild * The Journal *

This book may be mini in size, but in content it is sturdy. Learn simply how to create your own weaving work. Learn what weaving can be, for you personally. As a young art student, I looked at looms as an old persons hobby. Something done in the 1800s, while drowned in ones’ shawl. Then as my own mind was led into weaving, I discovered that you can mash it up with whatever art style you come from. For example, I remember working with weaving plastics and wools together, along with scraps of fabric and ribbon. So materialistically speaking, we don’t have to go with the norm. As for the colour palette and pattern, I have even worked with photographs of my own vegetable garden.

Learn all the basics, the increasing, decreasing, working on a variety of size and shape frames…..

* Ailish Henders