[.ca] Charted Monograms for Needlepoint and Cross-Stitch (ISBN 0486235556)

Charted Monograms for Needlepoint and Cross-Stitch:
A keeper, well worth the price, a lot of book for the money.

Crowns and Curlicues:
As a novice cross-stitcher, I found the charts in this book to be clear and easy to follow. Twenty years later, it is one of the few "beginner" books I have retained in my collection because the designs are so charming. These are monograms you'd use on table linens and elegant needlework. Every possible combination of monograms are included in intertwining letters embellished with curlicues and, sometimes, topped with crowns which, in an earlier day, would have designated peerage (or pretensions to same). Each monogram is printed once in the book (to use my initials as an example, ET is presented under the E's and is not repeated under the T's) and is given in a single size, However, the monograms may be enlarged or reduced in size by the addition or subtraction of extra curlicues. An explanation of this process, with plenty of examples, is given in the introduction. Historial reenactors as well as needleworkers will find this book a treasure. The one negative is that the charts are small compared to most modern charted needlework designs. This can be easily remedied with an enlarging photocopier.