Here’s a tip from Annie Modesitt from her book, Twist and Loop: Dozens of Jewelry Designs to Knit and Crochet With Wire.

The tool may not make the craftsperson, but it can certainly help! If possible, try a variety of tools before purchasing any to see how comfortable a particular pair of pliers or ball peen hammer is in your own hands. Many manufacturers make tools in several sizes to suit different hands. It’s also best to purchase the highest quality tools you can afford—poorly made, inexpensive tools are never a bargain.

Visit the websites of
some of our current & upcoming authors:

Beadworks

Tara Jon Manning

Suss Cousins

Eugenia Kim

Nikol Lohr

Annie Modesitt

Lion Brand Yarn

Fiona Ellis

Kay Gardiner &
Ann Shayne

Jillian Moreno &
Amy R. Singer

Margrit Lohrer

Ashley Paige

Julie Carles &
Jordana Jacobs

Romantic Home Sewing
By Christina Strutt

Here are 30-plus sublimely simple sewing projects readers can use to transform every room in their home into the romantic retreat they’ve always wanted. Christina Strutt, owner of the popular Cabbages & Roses fabric company, shows readers how to create a look that is personal and unique by mingling vintage and modern to create a handmade, well-worn, casual elegance.

Amazing Crochet Lace
By Doris Chan

Doris Chan updates traditional lace patterns into wearable art by applying favorite motifs to create chic crocheted attire. Chan presents 20 fantastic designs that translate old-fashioned lace patterns into fun, funky attire, substituting bright, chunky yarns for delicate fibers and increasing gauge and hook sizes. If you’ve never tried chrocheting before, Amazing Crochet Lace is a wonderful introduction to this craft’s charm and beauty. If you’re already a pro, you’ll be thrilled with Chan’s fresh and fashionable designs.

Potter Needlework Library: Embroidery
By Karen Elder

With detailed charts and step-by-step instructions for over forty stitch styles, Embroidery is a wonderful introduction to this popular craft—and a great stitch reference for established embroiderers. A wide variety of projects—from seat cushions and pillows to bedspreads—offer instructions for both simple and more elaborate needlework.

Potter Needlework Library:
Cross-Stitch
By Gloria Nichol

From the luxury of a monogrammed pillow to the fun and whimsy of an embroidered dishtowel, discover the amazing versatility of cross-stitch. With illustrated step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and pattern templates, Cross-Stitch has all the tools you need to make more than twenty projects—either for your own home or as charming and personal gifts.