Amazing Circular Weaving

This comprehensive guide has over 30 techniques. Weavers can follow the projects exactly, or add their own unique twist. Projects are marked beginner, intermediate or advanced so it’s easy to work through the book as confidence grows.

Covers all the basic information you need about how to set up the looms for weaving, with lots of colour illustrations and instructions clearly explained alongside each. Includes many projects as well that, even if you don’t want to do them, provide lots of inspiration as well as additional instructions. A fabulous book!

The book’s title is self-explanatory. It begins with tools and materials, including templates for a cardboard loom and shuttle. A clearer discussion of yarn weights is needed – ‘medium’ is not very helpful, especially to beginners. However, a supplement lists the yarns used in each project.

Detailed instructions for warping rings follow, with only one project using a cardboard loom. The instructions throughout – mostly with colour photographs – are very clear and I found them easy to follow.

The projects are divided into items for the home – bunting, cushions and mats, then wall hangings. They are varied and original and would tempt people to have a go. Requirements are clearly set out, followed by detailed instructions and tips and ideas to vary the project.

The projects are graded in difficulty, however none is really suitable for very young children and a little previous weaving experience would be helpful. Most of the projects, and all the wall hangings, retain the rings used to weave them, which could prove expensive.

I was impressed with the range of weaving techniques described, including tabby, twill, leno, soumak, inlay and rya. Supplements include a glossary of weaving terms and details of how to make the knots used in the book.

This book would be a useful addition to Guild libraries, and for people crafting with children

Emily Nicolaides is an artist and educator who specializes in contemporary circular weaving. In 2019, she created the first and only virtual circular weaving course, The Year of Circles, and has since taught students how to weave decorative circular wall hangings. Emily lives in Limassol, Cyprus, and can be found on Instagram @emilynicolaides.