TAPESTRY CROCHET

Tapestry Crochet Reviews:

Beadwrangler, March, 2007
Carol Ventura, PhD, has authored a series of tapestry crochet books and this book was her first. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and studied textiles during her excursions.
    While serving with the Peace Corps in Guatemala, Carol was introduced to the art of tapestry crochet. She immersed herself in the craft, gained knowledge of the culture, history and symbolism combined in these tapestries.
    When she returned home, Carol brought this craft to the US by teaching classes and creating tapestry bags. She embraced the folk motifs and created her own designs. Her book evolved from this experience.
    There are complete step by step instructions and illustrations for both right-hand and left-hand people. The illustrations are very clear and easy to follow. There are blank graphs for you to create your own patterns.
    The projects include beautiful baskets, wall-hanging tapestries, change purses, eyeglass cases, a pillow and clock faces. Various motifs are charted to follow when making these items. The techniques include working in the round and in rows, forming two and three dimensional tapestry art. Many of the motifs are steeped in history and others contemporary. It is interesting that the graphs on pages 88 and 89, and the photo on page 87; "Someday" tapestry, is reminiscent of fractals in chaos theory.
    You will find tapestry crochet easy to accomplish and you will not have to keep changing threads and having hanging loose thread at the back of your work. Both sides will look finished as you go.
    Tapestry Crochet should be on a prominent bookshelf every crocheter's library. Lydia Borin, Tampa, Florida

Spin-Off Magazine, Fall 1992
Tapestry crochet forms a sturdy texture in two or three colors. It is worked at a tight tension that hides strands of unused colors which are carried within the row of stitches. The materials are simple - crochet cotton or heavy rug wool and a sturdy crochet hook. Norton starts with the basics of crocheting with either the right or left hand. Her explanations are very clear and they are accompanied by explicit drawings.
    Because the finished stitches appear to be slightly angled, Norton developed graph paper to facilitate designing; the elements of the grid look like rounded shingles or overlapping bird feathers. The graph comes in different proportions, corresponding to the number of colors used, because carrying more colors makes taller rows.
    Though the work traditionally is done in the round, Norton uses two methods to work flat - working in the opposite direction across the row or working with the other hand. Several projects lead you through different aspects of increasing complexity toward designing your own projects. The idea of tapestry crochet is very simple, and this book gives you the explicit details that ensure immediate success in accomplishing it.

Handwoven Magazine, November/December 1992
Inspired by the shoulder bags that are part of the Mayan Indian man's traditional outfit, Norton presents tapestry crochet, a form of sturdy crochet worked in two or three colors. The basics of crocheting with either the right or left hand are described and accompanied by clear drawings. To facilitate designing, Norton developed a graph paper that represents crocheted stitches; the elements of the grid resemble rounded shingles or overlapping bird feathers.

Tapestry Crochet teaches the basics and presents information to help readers design their own motifs. The instructions are for both right-handed crocheters and left-handed crocheters. The 10 projects (with instructions without abbreviations) include a pillow, bags, baskets, and tapestries. Please look at the errata sheet! You can read the book reviews here. Unfortunately, this 110 page paperback book is out of print (ISBN 0-932394-15-9) but the four rounds projects and the four spiral projects are now sold as downloadable PDF's for right handed and left handed crocheters (see below).
4 Rounds Projects
for Lefties
4 Rounds Projects for Righties 4 Spiral Projects
for Lefties
4 Spiral Projects
for Righties

Links:
Carol (Norton) Ventura's More Tapestry Crochet Book
Carol Ventura's Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet Book
Carol Ventura's Home Page

Carol Ventura's Publications

This web page is maintained by Carol Ventura.   Last updated on January 19, 2021