Fun with Chinese Knotting

Detailed instructions, clear diagrams and lovely color photographs combine to make Fun with Chinese Knotting both attractive and useful—displaying the many creative uses these decorative knots can have, and the great variety of materials used to make them. This delightful book is sure to be a rich source of inspiration for craftspeople everywhere. The art of Chinese knotting has a surprisingly contemporary appeal, author artist Chen focuses on the decorative uses of Chinese knots to create your own personal fashion accessories which include:
Hair ornaments
Earrings
Necklaces
Pendants
Brooches
Belts
Bracelets and anklets
Accents that may be added to items of clothing
Chinese knots are attractive and alluring along with being an Asian craft that is relatively easy to learn. Used for a variety of practical and decorative purposes—to record events, to fish and hunt, to wrap and tie items, as ornamental works of art, and even to communicate, Fun with Chinese Knotting will allow readers to create something for anyone.

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Review:

In this lovely book you learn how to do many Chinese knot designs. The illustrations have a regional flair and give examples of many fashion uses for the handwork. Any kind of jewelry with knotwork is available, from belts to brooches with diagrams to denote thread movement. It reminded me of needle tatting in a lot of ways and I am eager to undertake some of the projects for holiday gift giving. They are, quite simply, beautiful.

One of the only opportunities I found with this book was there were a few knots that were not fully explained and in several instances I was not sure exactly how to hold the thread. In future re-printings I hope that some illustrations will be added to this effect. When doing a craft like this, it helps to have pictures like with the Visual series for students to learn just how to secure the piece by showing some step by steps of the basic levels and go from there.

This book was a great resource in the art of Chinese knotwork. From the history of the craft to the diagrams of thread movement and the variety of crafts involved, it is a keeper. I am so glad the publisher sent it to me for review. Now I have something to play with in anticipation of the holidays!

3.5/5