Posted by stella on 2004-10-26 00:15:13
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definitely knitting! i've recently learned to divide up my bigger projects so i can work on smaller pieces when i'm out and about. i'm knitting (very slowly) a sweater right now, so i work on the body at home and a sleeve when i'm out. the sleeve is much smaller and more portable.
crocheting is also portable. today i went to watch an aikido class, and one of the kid's moms was crocheting little washcloths for her preschool students. beadwork is portable if you're not using too many colors, especially if it's something like peyote stitch or couching that doesn't come unstrung.
i don't find my embroidery/applique stuff to be easily portable, because i depend on having LOTS of colors (i usually use 3-4 single strands of different colors as a single thread) and it always gets disorganized or tangled if i try to stick it in a box or bag. i also need really good light to embroider.
Posted by sarabell on 2005-03-04 13:51:40
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the best one i have is currently loaned out and i dojnt' remember the EXACT name but it's a Reader's Digest Publication, if you can believe it and it encompasses many different needlecrafts. it has something about complete guide to needlecrafts (or something to that effect) in the title.
it is really easy to follow the instructions (which i usually suck at!)
the book i used at (the horrible) art school (i dropped out of ) was really good (the only class i really got into) is "The Crochet Workbook" by Sylvia Cosh & James Walters. It is really interesting as it is not your average instructional book with really innovative design ideas - like hanging chairs, murals, and a lot of 3-d ideas. also easy to follow - more diagrams than written instructions.
another GREAT book i have is "The Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts" by Lucinda Ganderton and Dorothy Wood. I'm assuming it was a rather expensive book (it was a gift) but it is "A complete practical and inspriational guide to traditional and contemporary handiwork techniques" and has sections on crochet, knitting, embroidery, applique and more. it rules. i'll never loan it out to anyone! it has really cool and beautiful ideas that have inspired many pieces i have made.
