Netted Beadwork: A Beadwork How-To Book by Diane Fitzgerald

While it might look like the author skimped on the basic instructions for netting, the real learning from this book comes from making the 18 beautiful and easy projects. Netting is a simple technique with a lot of versatility, and Diane Fitzgerald makes the most of those qualities with a fascinating book that is fun to read and will provide lots of inspiration for your beadwork.

Netted Beadwork: A Beadwork How-To Book, Diane Fitzgerald, $21.95, Interweave Press

I have always loved netting because it is one of those “instant gratification” beadweaving stitches because it can be worked up quickly or made more complex with charted designs and patterns. In the book Netted Beadwork, Diane Fitzgerald presents netted beadwork projects and history that will have you stitching away in no time.

If you hadn’t realized just how versatile netting stitch was, once you read this book you will be able to see just how simple it is to create graceful netted beadwork. Diane shows us how netted beadwork can be found in virtually every corner of the globe, from African tribes to the royalty of Greenland. Her directions are clearly illustrated and the thread path is explained for several different variations of netting. A brief section in the first part of the book outlines what tools and materials you need to get started in netted beadwork.

There are eighteen projects in this book, and each one covers a different aspect of netted beadwork. This is where you will really learn the nuts and bolts of netted beadwork, and you’ll have something to show for it, too. There are necklaces, bracelets, amulet bags, and several different netted components – a bezel for a cabochon, leaves and beaded beads. Decorative items are also included in the projects, including a beaded Easter egg and beaded ornaments.

The gallery of beadwork – usually my favorite part of a beading book – is a little thin, but there are some superb artists represented and a wide variety of styles and techniques. The gallery photos illustrate just how versatile this stitch really is, and are sure to give you inspiration for your own netted beadwork pieces.