Clothing and Textiles

This is the updated version of their classic encyclopedic guide to knitting. It contains over 1,600 full-color illustrations and covers all basic techniques, a stitch dictionary, correction of errors, following patterns, knitting supplies, and so on. To many it is the knitter’s bible. Beginners can teach themselves how to knit, while experienced knitters use it as a reference for unfamiliar stitches and techniques.

An excellent book for the fiber artist using chemical dyes. Covers batik, dip dyeing, overdyeing, color gradations, fabric painting, and more.

The author of this book is a well-versed tanner who has studied traditional tanning methods with Native Americans in northern Canada, and the Sami (Laplanders) in northern Sweden. Lotta has combined her extensive tanning experience with research into the history and science of these methods. She includes many details, recipes, tools, and methods for traditional tanning, most of which she has used, or at least tried, herself. Not the best how-to book for a beginner, but combined with a book such as Deerskins into Buckskins, you will probably do fine. There is more information in this book on a diverse selection of primitive tanning methods, than in any other book I know.

This is an excellent introduction to the art and craft of weaving on a treadle or table-top loom. Several weaving guild teachers have recommended it as the single best reference for learning how to weave. It is well illustrated and guides the beginner through a variety of exercises designed to teach weaving, as if the reader were taking part in a comprehensive class.

This is a clear, informative, well-illustrated book on basic leatherworking techniques. An excellent practical guide, with tips on tools, techniques, and setting up a simple home workshop for leatherworking. It includes several interesting and beautiful starter projects.

If you think you may want (or need) to make or repair a saddle someday, this book is for you. If you really want to go all out, you can also purchase the three-volume Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle Making for $59.95 per volume.

If you want to make the softest, most beautiful buckskin in the easiest and most reliable way, then you should get this book. This is an excellent guide to the wet-scrape process for making buckskin. It contains step-by-step instructions for brain, soap or egg tanning, and over 130 photos and illustrations. Includes a resource guide and a nifty section on making your own buckskin clothing. The author has made his living by tanning buckskins and teaching others how to tan, so he definitely knows what he’s talking about. Excellent tips and hints for the beginner to expert tanner. Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills by John and Geri McPherson. When John McPherson started brain tanning buckskins in the late 1970s, he found that none of the available books gave accurate and complete information. Through trial and error, and by making many mistakes, he discovered what was missing from these books, and then wrote his own guide to help others brain tan without having to learn the hard way. McPherson’s original booklet, Brain tan Buckskin, has probably taught more people the art of dry-scrape brain tanning than any other book, and is now Chapter 1 in Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills. It provides clear, practical, well-illustrated instructions for dry-scrape brain tanning of hides. See Chapter 4 references for a more complete description of this book.

This is an excellent introduction to spinning. It covers everything from simple hand spinning with crude hand-made instruments (or no instruments) to spinning with traditional spinning wheels. It is well written and illustrated with clear simple drawings, and includes instructions for several projects. Active spinners’ guild teachers, on opposite sides of the country, have recommended this book as the single best introduction to spinning. The author helped found the Bay Area Spinner’s Textile Study Group and is a former editor of Spin-Off magazine.

Leather is more abrasion resistant and waterproof than buckskin, but not as washable and breathable. This guide is a good start for home tanning leathers either with chemicals (faster and more toxic) or by traditional bark tanning.

This is a collection of projects from fifty expert knitters and spinners, ranging from simple beginner projects to advanced designs. Filled with instructions, tips, helpful hints, and techniques. If you wish to try your hand at knitting practical items with homespun, get this book.