Right angle weave (RAW) is one of the most versatile beadweaving stitches out there. It is also a very easy stitch suitable for beginners. I particularly love using two needles which allow the threads to "cross weave" through beads which makes the process quicker. But it can also be done with a single needle. This weave is so named because the beads sit at right angles to each other, forming a square or diamond shape.
This recently published book I just received for review,
Beadweaving Beyond the Basics celebrates, in a big way, this wonderful stitch. It is a Fons & Porter/F+W publication. The author is
Kassie Shaw, a seasoned and published bead artist who also sells tutorials and kits.
The introduction covers not just the essential materials needed but very clear instructions on other stitches such as the herringbone stitch family, cubic RAW, peyote (even and odd) and St Petersburg. These happen to be the author's favorites and are used in a supportive role to the star of the book, the RAW. There are 24 projects in all - bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
What Kassie does is to take the basic RAW stitch and increase their design potential with 3 unique approaches. The first section of the book covers the
double diamond right angle weave (DDRAW). Here the designer enlarges the basic RAW diamond shape with a second row of beads. This allows her to form areas where she can add other kinds of beads. One example is the Palisades bracelet which cleverly captures round crystals as well as bugle rows.
The instructions for every project are clearly illustrated. What's more, the author, a leftie herself, peppers the book with many tips for lefties!
She also uses the DDRAW in original ways such as the double bezel necklace
Sundial design (last photograph on the contents page) and in the Trapeze earrings below. I also love the way the author uses thread guards or wire guardians at the top of her earrings - a far more professional finish than a loop of beads. (
see this past post on wire guardians)
The second section of the book is about the
faux RAW (FRAW) stitch where she shows how to speed weave when embellishing the empty spaces between the RAW units. Her bracelet designs such as the
Couplet below and the diagonally striped one called the
Fee Fi Faux Fun on the contents page are two very different examples using the same technique.
Beaders who like a more modern and simpler style to beadwork will certainly appreciate many of the projects including the
Shoulder Dusters earrings and the bold
Firewheel Spinner necklace
below which both use the FRAW technique.
The final section of the book highlights the Layered RAW (LRAW) technique which gives designs a more sculptured look. It builds on the FRAW one by placing additional beads over the central "hole" of the RAW diamond. The
Reversible Braided bracelet design below is a stunning example as is the more challenging
Faux Ribbon Pendant necklace, also below.
The graphics for this book provide some of the best illustrative instructions I have seen in a long, long time. Beadweaving with small beads is already challenging enough so the large images are appreciated!
This inspirational book will make a delightful addition to any serious beadweaver's library.
Giveaway If you'd like to win a copy of
Beadweaving Beyond the Basics, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international. If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook. Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Thursday, October 22, 2015 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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