Book Review – Elements of Style: Knit and Crochet Jewelry

Elements of Style: Knt & Crochet Jewelry with Wire, Fiber, Felt and Beads by Rosemary Hill

Publisher: Interweave Press (November 28, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596680792
ISBN-13: 978-1596680791

I was intrigued by the title of this book and couldn’t wait to get it. Fiber jewelry is getting more popular but there aren’t alot of books out on the subject. I wanted to see what projects this book offered and I was not disappointed.

With some simple materials you’ll be making modern wearable art pieces of fiber art. The book contains seventeen projects that combine the writers 3 passions – beading, knitting and crocheting and she combines them perfectly. Elements of Style will appeal to jewelry makers of all levels as well as knitters/crocheters who never thought about using those skills to make jewelry.

No matter what your experience with knitting or crochet, this book will get you familiar with the materials, tools, and techniques. This book is so well written with great illustrations and instructions that someone like me who can’t knit, feels confident enough to make the knit jewelry projects. I think this is one of the strongest elements of this book. Most of these are basic wireworking, beading, knitting and crochet so a beginner won’t feel overwhelmed. There are special technique sidebars and tip boxes throughout the book which will make sure you are successful with every project.

The book is in three sections: wire projects, fiber projects, then felting projects. There are so many pieces in here that I like its hard to narrow down a few. For the Wire section, my fave is the “Trio of Wire Earrings”. It has instructions for beaded rectangles, beaded triangles or wire rounds. I really like the triangles the best. In the fiber section, the very first project is my favorite – a scarf cocktail necklace made with stainless steel/silk blend yarn. GORGEOUS!!!! In the felting section I am ga-ga over the “Circles Cuff”

Another great thing I really like about this book is that because the projects are small its a great way to use up all those little bits of fiber, beads, and wire from we all hoard!

If you are looking for something a little different in your jewelry making or are curious about knit/crochet jewelry this is definately a book you will want to pick up. You can preview the book on the Interweave website and see a few of the projects.

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.

Have you read?