Learn to Make Monk's Cloth Afghans

Great illustrations and directions.

"Swedish weaving", also known as "monk's cloth" or "huck towel" embroidery, is an attractive, easy-to-do form of counted-thread needlework. Geometric designs are created on the surface of monk's-cloth-weave fabric by running a needle and yarn under vertical blocks of woven threads.This 28-page booklet includes charts for 10 attractive, large-scale patterns that are particularly suitable for borders on hand-embroidered throws and afghans. The designs can be adapted for use on smaller projects such as guest towels, placemats, or pillows, by using fewer rows or only portions of a chart. The booklet includes complete step-by-step instructions, illustrated with photographs or drawings, for purchasing materials, preparing the fabric, working the designs, and hemming or finishing the fabric edges.The "Look Inside" feature for this booklet shows front and back covers that are slightly different from the ones on my copy, but has color photos of all of the included charted designs. (My copy has a front cover with an in-progress afghan and three of the included designs, like the illustration that accompanies this book listing; and a back cover with a different selection of designs.) This is an excellent introduction to the Swedish weaving technique.

Love the beautiful colored photos of the end project.

I'm very confident that when I start my monk's cloth afghan project I'll have no trouble. The instructions are clearly written and there are diagrams as well as written directions for all the stitches. This book starts out with: what you need, describes and shows the various stitches, how to read the charts, planning your afghan, and preparing the fabric - everything one needs to know without having an instructor to show you how. Also it is printed in a font large enough to read easily. The charts for the projects are in black and white. I have another book that shows all the charts in color which I find to be more confusing as they are not necessarily the colors I will want to use. I may photocopy those in order have them in b&w. If you want to learn Swedish weaving this is the book you will want to start with.

I just recently learned to do this. I already had a pattern from a friend but purchased this as I want to do another with a different pattern. It was getting close to Christmas and still had to finish the afghan/throw. I looked in this book and found a partial pattern that I could use with the one pattern I was already doing. It helped me cut down on the time so was able to finish. I am so glad I had this book. Going to make an afghan/throw for granddaughers using one or a combination of patterns from this book.

This is a pamphlet, not a book. Also, the illustrations are in black and white, so the only color is the cover. Fortunately, the entire selection is represented as swatches on the back cover so you can get an idea how they look when done.The best part is the writing is very clear, and the instructions are easy to follow. I think the cost was a bit high for the product; I should have read the description more carefully. But it is something I can work from and that is what I wanted, so it will do.

Patterns nice and a nice variety. Just would have liked a little more beginning info. I'm having trouble with tension, but not the book's fault.

I have read and understand it but haven't tried the patterns. having trouble geting the cloth lined up to get the center. I will work it out. I have vision problems. It is me not the book. The book is very good. I can't see blocks on the cloth.

have gathered together the materials needed to start this, only read through the instructions, so far they seem easy enough to follow and there are some lovely designs which inspire you to see how you can use them

Really good book with a lot of different patterns, all of which are very easy to follow. Great value for money, just a shame that you can't buy Monk's cloth in the UK and have to have it shipped in from America.

I loved the patterns and the easy instructions. It is well written with lots of lovely patterns and ideas to use

A lovely book although I found the black and white diagrams confusing to follow. The only down side is Monks cloth is not sold in the UK and I've not found a suitable alternative. Aida is similar but not suitable for Afghans.

I just started using Monk's cloth and a variegated thread. It is coming along nicely.Plan to purchase a copy for my guild library as a resource book.