The best Needlepoint books: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Rosey Grier

After playing at PSU and in the pros, he was a bodyguard for RFK, TV show host and actor, recording artist, ordained minister, and he wrote a book on needlepoint.

Rosey Grier, one of the best defensive tackles the NFL has ever seen, would take offense at your father's characterization of textile arts as being "for women only." My parents had this book, and I'm gonna ask Dad if he still has it.

https://www.amazon.com/Rosey-Griers-Needlepoint-Men-Grier/dp/0802704212

My favorite counterargument to that

Note: the author, despite (or in spite of?) the feminine name, was an NFL football player in the 1970's when the boomer conservatives consider the sport to be at it's "manliest" because of how brutal the game was and how player safety was an afterthought.

Trish Burr has a really phenomenal book for learning threadpainting technique called Colour Confidence in Embroidery that I can’t recommend enough. I spent some time studying and practicing the technique she’s got laid out in it and it made SUCH a difference. It’s also a lot more fun to do when you’re feeling better about what you’re doing.

It was an iron on! I bought mine at the The Cloak and Wand in Mystic, CT when my friend and I went but you can get it on Amazon.

Harry Potter Embroidery (Embroidery Craft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684128919/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_T2Q0RKVXPG0VC91W2AB1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I learned when I was five years old.

Knit one, purl one. Purl is just another style of stitch.

The biggest issue is the tension of the yarn.

Then there is crochet, if you like that.

Rosy Greer liked needlepoint.

https://www.amazon.com/Rosey-Griers-Needlepoint-Men-Grier/dp/0802704212

Don't know if you grandmother likes all forms of needle work.

That was Rosey Grier, in the 60's, 70's. Football great defensive tackle, two Pro Bowls. And avid needlepointer. I met him at a recording studio in the late 1960's and sat on his lap (I was five).

He even wrote a needlepoint book! Needlepoint for Men

If a 6'5" defensive tackle can do needlework, so can you.

That's such a cool find, I really love vintage books.

I actually purchased a modern reprint of this awhile ago! It's a pretty decent price, too.

Amazon link for the interested: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Thomass-Dictionary-Embroidery-Stitches/dp/1570769214

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 500 Everyday Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users. Try Easy and Healthy Instant Pot Recipes. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727408403/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Z1juCbYPVSWPN

It's got 500 unique recipes, extremely concise, no bloated text. I love it.

Also the Instant Pot Bible is invaluable for a new cook for it. He explains sooooo much in each section and tells you how to customize dishes the way you like them.

I learned from This Book years ago, it has some great instructions on canvases, wools, frames and the basic stitches (as well as some amazing patterns for all experience levels). There are only 3 stitches, basketweave, half cross stitch (tent stitch), and cross stitch.

It's seriously not much different from cross stitching, except you use canvas, and the setup into the frame can take an hour or so. Needlepoint rocks, you're taking the jump from 'frameable' art (cross stitch /embroidery) to hardwearing, durable works that can be used to make seat covers, cushions, upholstery, bags, ect that will last a lifetime. :D

[edit] it seems that in the US and UK 'needlepoint' can mean different things. Here in the UK it's done with wools on canvas. If it's thread/floss you're looking to use, /r/crossstich is good :)

Your work is so amazing! I can only dream of stitching that well. Have you seen the book Colour Confidence in Embroidery by Trish Burr? It's specifically about colour in thread painting

I got started cross-stitching once I realized that they were essentially lo-resolution images. I'd also been working on knotwork designs in different formats, so for me the match was natural.

I read a book from the library by Rosy Grier Cross Stitching For Men but learned mostly by just diving in and doing it. Give it a shot!

I know I'm rather late to the party, but this is a design from one of Trish Burr's needle painting books. It's pretty much a whole lot of long and short stitch in carefully chosen colors to produce the shading effects. I started out learning needlepainting with Mary Corbet's instruction series and it was a big help.

It's also available in this lovely modern pattern book. I bought the book just for the beetle pattern, but there are many other ones I want to stitch now in there as well!