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200 Braids to Loop, Knot, Weave & Twist
Choose from over 200 designs and give the perfect finishing touch to clothing, soft furnishings, greetings cards and gift boxes with this guide to braiding.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 18, 2010
It would never have occurred to me that someone could put together a book on trims, much less an interesting and clever book of 250+ pages filled with pictures, techniques and information about materials, including beads. The techniques are clearly illustrated with full color photographs and each step is made to look easy and attractive. Along with twisting, knotting, looping and weaving, other techniques covered are interloping and ply-split darning, plus there is a nice section on working with beads to enhance your creations. A section of completed braid and trim examples is arranged by design and structure, with references back to the techniques involved. There's even a section on how to use the completed trims and braids in your projects as decorative design elements, edging, and how to finish the braids and trims attractively.
This is an interesting and useful book that would appeal to any textile artist, with techniques that can be used with quilting, crochet, knitting, weaving and more!
This is an interesting and useful book that would appeal to any textile artist, with techniques that can be used with quilting, crochet, knitting, weaving and more!
May 19, 2015
Jacque Carie does it again! This book is another winner. Well written something for everyone from the beginner to the experienced header. Well written and photographed for the beginner to not be overwhelmed and with enough to challenge and excite the more experienced beaders.
I have other books written by Ms. Carie and was not disappointed she continues to deliver a beautiful book that not only teaches but encourages imagination and gives you the knowledge to expand on what you have learned and make it your own.
I encourage anyone interested in learning different ways to braid with beads to read this book and make it part of your library, you will refer back to it for ideas and reference points to expand on your designs.
Kudos for another book that should be on every beaders shelf.
I have other books written by Ms. Carie and was not disappointed she continues to deliver a beautiful book that not only teaches but encourages imagination and gives you the knowledge to expand on what you have learned and make it your own.
I encourage anyone interested in learning different ways to braid with beads to read this book and make it part of your library, you will refer back to it for ideas and reference points to expand on your designs.
Kudos for another book that should be on every beaders shelf.
February 4, 2024
I really like Carey's way of explaining things. I think she is thorough and yet not wordy. There are a *lot* of color pictures throughout the Techniques section to demonstrate how to make the various braids. I find the instructions clear and easy to understand.
What exactly the book teaches:
The book covers twisting, explaining S-twist and Z-twist, and how to make twisted cables of one, two and three plies.
Knotting covers the overhand knot, half-hitches (both left and right), single and double half-hitches over a core, half knots over a core (both identical and opposite series of knot types), and crown sinnets (both identical and opposite).
Looping addresses making loops with a lucet, and a "knitting nancy"/spool knitter/French knitter, as well as making loops using your fingers instead of either of those tools. Also a technique often called finger knitting, with one loop, two loops, and in a triangular shape.
The weaving section deals with weaving in several forms: two warps, in the hand; two warps, secured to something; three warps.
Braiding includes three-element braiding, four-element flat braiding, four-element round braiding, four-element chain-link braiding, five-element two-ridge braiding, and five element four-ridge braiding.
The next part covers ply-split darning with two and three cords.
The end of the techniques section covers using beads, beginnings and endings, making tassels, and a few ways you can use the braids you make.
Finger braiding is NOT discussed.
The second half of the book shows examples of all the techniques, and not just simple, obvious examples. Carey varies colors, materials, and textures in ways I never would have come up with myself. Showing how the end result varies when the color arrangement is slightly altered, like from ABBB to ABBA, ABAB, or ABCA really went a long way to help me understand how these braids work. I would have guessed that combining thick and thin materials in the same braid would have a poor result, but I would have been wrong. Knot methods that looked boring and uninteresting when done in one color of the same material were transformed by changes in colors and sizes. Without the examples in the second half this would have been a good but unremarkable explanation of techniques. With the examples the book opens up a world of possibilities I hadn't considered.
What exactly the book teaches:
The book covers twisting, explaining S-twist and Z-twist, and how to make twisted cables of one, two and three plies.
Knotting covers the overhand knot, half-hitches (both left and right), single and double half-hitches over a core, half knots over a core (both identical and opposite series of knot types), and crown sinnets (both identical and opposite).
Looping addresses making loops with a lucet, and a "knitting nancy"/spool knitter/French knitter, as well as making loops using your fingers instead of either of those tools. Also a technique often called finger knitting, with one loop, two loops, and in a triangular shape.
The weaving section deals with weaving in several forms: two warps, in the hand; two warps, secured to something; three warps.
Braiding includes three-element braiding, four-element flat braiding, four-element round braiding, four-element chain-link braiding, five-element two-ridge braiding, and five element four-ridge braiding.
The next part covers ply-split darning with two and three cords.
The end of the techniques section covers using beads, beginnings and endings, making tassels, and a few ways you can use the braids you make.
Finger braiding is NOT discussed.
The second half of the book shows examples of all the techniques, and not just simple, obvious examples. Carey varies colors, materials, and textures in ways I never would have come up with myself. Showing how the end result varies when the color arrangement is slightly altered, like from ABBB to ABBA, ABAB, or ABCA really went a long way to help me understand how these braids work. I would have guessed that combining thick and thin materials in the same braid would have a poor result, but I would have been wrong. Knot methods that looked boring and uninteresting when done in one color of the same material were transformed by changes in colors and sizes. Without the examples in the second half this would have been a good but unremarkable explanation of techniques. With the examples the book opens up a world of possibilities I hadn't considered.
November 28, 2022
Oh, braid new world
This book shows you not only how to make different grades but the tools of the trade.
There are enough pictures that you almost feel you’re watching the video. Each color picture has a descriptive paragraph underneath it and takes you step-by-step through creating braids.
It varies in techniques and materials which allows beaders to also enjoy learning to braid.
Even if you do not get as far as creating these exotic braids, you will be able to understand and appreciate the technique.
This book shows you not only how to make different grades but the tools of the trade.
There are enough pictures that you almost feel you’re watching the video. Each color picture has a descriptive paragraph underneath it and takes you step-by-step through creating braids.
It varies in techniques and materials which allows beaders to also enjoy learning to braid.
Even if you do not get as far as creating these exotic braids, you will be able to understand and appreciate the technique.
October 9, 2020
Startling lack of crochet
January 20, 2012
I was so disappointed by almost zero crocheted ones that I wanted to give this 1 or 2 stars! Crochet is a natural choice, but perhaps the author never learned enough about crochet to know this. So 3 stars for the creative use of the techniques the author did explore; also inspiring and handy layout and production values.
December 25, 2014
As complete as it can get with beautiful photo's and clear illustrations and easy to understand instructions for fingers only or accessories, whether lucet, loom, bobbins, beads or other tools. All techniques and yarns are covered. Lots of tips. And, to try before you buy, substitute household items for the tools to use instead of purchasing ones. Cannot fault this book.
September 11, 2009
Great reference / idea book for a lot of knots, braids, etc.
March 6, 2017
A nice "springboard" book from which to get ideas.
Read
July 29, 2011THe best book on how to braid the bands that kids come home from camp with, and then many that are even more elaborate--very good pictuers and instructions.
April 26, 2015
Everything I ever wanted to know about braiding et al.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews