Mystical Stitches definitely delivered. After a brief introduction to the basics of embroidery (which you find in any standard embroidery book), the description then turns to more spiritual matters, such as mindfulness when stitching and the power of symbols. While the author takes care not to endorse any particular belief system, the book is pretty heavy on the spirituality side of things, at least in the beginning sections—fine with me, but something to be aware of. (Although also to be expected, given the topic.)

The rest of the book is then comprised of page after page of designs: geometric shapes, and plants, and animals, and celestial bodies. This was really nice and definitely what I was looking for. The embroidery designs are little pieces of artwork, but also art that I might be able to do myself, and art that might make me feel empowered enough to create my own designs. It helps that there’s a stitch guide in the back of the book showing exactly how all the designs were created.

Learn how to appreciate the meaning of the things you can make.

Create your own designs so that you can reflect your own ideas, beliefs and enjoyment of the personal things you like to be creative with.

Honestly a little disappointing... I was taken in by the cover and the fun designs it showed (a rookie mistake, I know!) and though I was prepared to deal with a little 'woo' to get to the embroidery, this actually seemed to be the main focus of the book. I don't begrudge anyone their spiritual practices, and certainly embroidery has a meditative, calming effect that I've personally found very helpful during the past year, however the focus on meditative and symbolic visualisation was rather offputting to me. Ultimately, as someone who does not craft as part of her spiritual practice, I don't think I'm the right audience for this book- if that's something you are interested in, however, I would recommend giving it a look!

Firstly this is a beautiful book! It’s full of inspiring stitches and perfect for lockdown!
Learn a new skill, create something beautiful!

There’s instructions showing you how to do the most basic of stitches and some great intermediate stuff as well. I really loved the beautiful full designs that were shown and wish there was a few more. I want to make a mythical sampler!

Highly recommended for the weirdos that love to create! :)

I really liked this book and did write a full review right here:
https://grammieknows.ca/2021-the-year-to-learn-something-new/

This book combines the artistic with the mindful aspects of embroidery. Many of us learnt the skill sitting beside or mothers and grandmothers. This book recreates that feeling, that conbnectedness with the past. The explanation of the symbols helps us to understand what our ancestors felt important and reminds us to take time to connect ourselves.
Christi Johnson describes visiting the library as a child reading through all the embroidery books for the big copperplate designs. This book reconnects us to the simple pleasures embroidery brings.

As a new, self-taught and still learning stitcher, I am interested in learning not just stitches themselves, but meaning behind them. Johnson delivers that and more in this fascinating look at shapes, colors, and stitches commonly used throughout history in needlework and art.

Johnson connects to the resurgence of the old crafts and provides historical as well as personal information about stitchery, connecting it to nature and the universe. Her writing style is chatty and colloquial, which appealed to me, and the depth of her knowledge is unmatched.

Reviewing books that reply heavily on illustrations is always tricky in a digital copy on a tablet because formatting is usually all messed up. However, the images come through crisp and clear, for both the stitches and full color photos of projects.

This is one I will definitely buy in print form. Recommended.

Unlike most embroidery (and needlecraft in general) books, 'Mystical Stitches' isn't so much a series of templates / patterns to follow but a meandering exploration of symbolism and the mystical / spiritual / meditative aspects of hand embroidery.

Johnson explores setting up your 'intention', what materials you will need, stitch methods, symbols you might wish to use, and brief colour theory that will help you create your own 'talisman'.

I'm a little torn about a few things: the risk of appropriation in several of the symbols (especially religious or Native iconography), the melding of various faiths and spiritual pathways (which, to be fair, is common in modern Wicca / western Neo-Paganism); and the lack of at least a few templates to get someone started.

The first concern is really up to the individual reader; many, I suspect, won't be at all bothered. I would personally find it uncomfortable, however, if someone from a religion / faith group that has historically oppressed my own used one of our recognised symbols as a talisman or clothing decoration. I suspect others, especially from minority faith groups, might feel the same way.

The second concern ties into the first: someone from a minority faith may have a harder time feeling that their spiritual / cultural symbols and meanings are being amalgamated - if anything, a clearer nod to the history and ritual importance to those groups of the various symbols would help readers make better-educated use of these symbols.

The third concern is likely the most universal. While I appreciate that Johnson would like us to go on a spiritual journey to feel out our own path for creating embroidery, I don't think I'm alone in wishing there were at least a few base templates to get one started - for example, perhaps something like an embroidered frame to outline the work area one can then put their own chosen symbols (talisman) in; or a few designs that look particularly nice when added to clothing (something more universal like planets, plants, or animals that should appeal to most). The novice embroiderer will likely struggle with things like separating threads out of an embroidery skein, blending colourways together, stitching through heavy fabrics (Johnson is keen on denim), and starting / finishing stitching in a way that keeps things from unravelling once washed.

All in all a beautiful book with a lot of ideas that would appeal primarily to Wiccans, Pagans, and anyone into Western mysticism.

Advance reader copy kindly provided by Storey Publishing.

A well thought out book about how to use traditional embroidery techniques to represent different mystical symbols. Although it has a practical side the stitches are very basic but it has easy to follow tutorials. I enjoyed the authors enthusiasm in giving inventive ideas on how to incorporate the mystical stitches into everyday life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC of this book.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review purposes*

While I did enjoy the level of detail in this book I was expecting more patterns. It has a heavy focus on the spiritual side of things, which will really appeal to some people, but not much in the way of instruction for beginners.

Spirituality aside, this book was well written and gave me a lot of ideas. I feel that some of the stitches would come across better in photos rather than illustrations.

As a child a friend of the family gave me a couple of kits to learn crewel embroidery, and I was fascinated. I don't see these kits around anymore, but once in a while a book comes along to demonstrate the amazing variety of stitch textures that can be made with this art. This book is one of them.

It goes a step further and offers embroidery as a form of magic, suggesting rituals to do while stitching. The colour pictures throughout the book show just what a magnificent art this can be. Instructions are given for a wide variety of stitches that can be used in the patterns given or experimented with on your own and there is clear information on materials, including suitable fabrics to make your needlework get best results.

The patterns include shapes, mystical symbols, talismans, planets, zodiac signs as well as flowers, herbs, animals and mythical creatures. They are clear and reasonably easy to copy.

In between you get meditations and stretches to get your body moving again after sitting and stitching too long. There are colour meanings and suggestions for decorating clothing or creative full landscapes in stitchery.

What makes this book different from other needlework books is the spiritual aspect of both the text and the choice of designs. I found it a unique offering and well worth having a copy to inspire me to get back into this form of embroidery.

When I requested this book, I was expecting a typical “here’s my designs, I hope that you enjoy crafting them”.
What I didn’t expect what a beautiful, meditative, mindful, deeply spiritual exploration of how crafting and creating can be a way of becoming more in touch with yourself, and with the divine.
I had to stop, think, breath, and come back with a clear mind. Stitch craft, for me, is often just something that I do to keep my hands busy. I’m definitely taking a second look at how I approach things.

There are some really great ideas in this book. Just like a bedazzler I'm going to emroider everything I can get my hands on! Thank you to the author Christi Johnson and Storey Publishing for the book to review and the wonderful project inspiration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Some good ideas and techniques shown. Good for those who do have an interest in embroidery and want to use symbols they can create on things themselves.

This is a great book for a beginner as it contains lots of information to get you started with hand embroidery. With clear diagrams and instructions it shows you how to do the stitches. It then provides you with a host of images you can use to create your own projects. There is a lot of detail in the book and it’s filled with information for both beginner and accomplished crafters. You can tell a great deal of care has gone into making it. I definitely recommend this gorgeous book for anyone interested in hand embroidery. Thank you #netgalley

Christi Johnson's Mystical Stitches is a really nice general embroidery book, with a meditative/mystical twist. Johnson goes over the basics of embroidery for those of us still learning to master the basics of needlework, and then discusses the meditative ways you can embroider, the types of designs and symbols that show up in various mystic traditions, and then breaks down individual projects and gives guidelines for more detailed patterns you may wish to try out. I like the style, and even if I'm not super mystical myself I think there's something nice about grounding yourself in doing something "analog" like needlework. The interspersed suggestions on breathing, meditation, and stretches are also nice - valuable for any crafter who needs to remember to take breaks and ward off hand cramps!

Mystical Stitches drew me in from the start with its beautiful and enticing cover. Who wouldn’t want to embroider something after seeing that? The book is full of expert stitching instruction for the beginner, but even an expert will learn from the author’s instructions. It is full of lovely designs, mostly spiritual and new age, and some I would consider attempting myself. It leans heavily on the spiritual side of creating, and there are many references to talismans, mythology, astrology, meditation, and even yoga. Not quite the embroidery tutorial for me, it does have many beautiful designs. It could have been better had it included some patterns. The right audience will enjoy using this well-thought-out tutorial. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. I gave it three and a half stars rounded down to three.

I really like this book, not only has it got some fabulous embroidery designs, but it incorporates the slow movement in all things we do, and how we can gain peace, energy and self empowerment in the simple art of stitching.
Christi Johnson describes herself as "an all out stitchery witch", and many of the symbols and style in her designs are reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. but her designs are geared to relaxation, enjoyment and slow stitching.
Well written with lots of information and easy to follow directions

Such a good and informative book!

Great explanation of how to do the stitches before you get the unique stitches to the book - I can't wait to try this out in my next project.