Bead crochet ropes are an ever-popular project among beaders, but Ann Benson's book, Tapestry Bead Crochet: Projects and Techniques explores the techniques of flat bead crochet, with beautiful results.
In the first chapter, Ann gives us an overview of the materials needed for bead crochet, including beads (of course), fibers and threads, crochet hooks and beading needles. Chances are that if you are already into beadwork and beading, you will have most of these supplies on hand.
The instructions for the basic stitches - slip stitch, chain stitch and single crochet - are well-explained and photographed. Since crochet was the first needle craft that I learned as a youngster, this was a good refresher for me. There are also more detailed instructions for working back and forth, working in the round, and basic techniques in tubular crochet and how to do an invisible tube joining for tubular crochet.
There are 18 projects in this book, about half of which are suitable for beginners. Several of the projects also require basic sewing skills and basic beadweaving techniques, which some people may be unfamiliar with. Ann explains - very briefly - the basic beadweaving techniques. In some instances, like with the advanced Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat and the Peacock Bag, she does not go into the techniques used to make some of the embellishments on the projects and instead leaves it to the individual to design and make their own embellishments and closures.
Overall, I felt a little intimidated by the scope of the projects in this book, but someone with more bead crochet experience than I have would probably feel right at home with the techniques and projects. I did attempt the Aztec and Bargello Case and was pleased with the results. Ann's instructions for the project seemed a little sparse at first - only four steps - but the charts worked perfectly, and I found that I could easily find the basic instructions that I needed throughout the first part of the book.
Watching the enclosed DVD also gave me a little more confidence, as I saw some of the techniques in the book actually worked right in front of me.
Concluding Thoughts
This book is definitely not for the timid beginner in bead crochet, but someone who is more adventurous will have no problem diving right in and making these gorgeous tapestry bead crochet projects. Ann Benson's backgrounds as an author and bead artist come together beautifully in this instructional book of tapestry bead crochet.