A lovely looking book! Sadly it was archived before I could get to the end, but I very much enjoyed what I read.

This book wasn't what I was expecting in any way, shape or form.

I found the pages to be cluttered, and despite it being so text heavy, there's very little useful guidance. We're presented with information in a very convoluted and disorganised form. As an example, the introduction to embroidery begins on page 20, but you don't see a visual guide to what the stitches will actually look like until page 154. Prior to this, the stitches have only been explained via illustrations so you'd just have to muddle through. In addition to this, it's also not until page 118 that you receive any written instructions on re-creating one of Johnson's pieces. Given the low quality of the images (they're often pixelated), I'd have given up before I'd even begun had I purchased a copy.

I found the book very useful. I greatly enjoyed the symbol repository. My biggest complaint is the current format of the book made understanding the stitch explanations next to impossible. Something I hope won't be an issue once it comes to print.
I fully intend to purchase this book for my own collection, if not my library's.

Thank you to @netgalley, the publisher and author for gifting me this free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

At first glance I thought this would be a "classic" stitch-book with ideas for new projects. And for some part it is, but what wasn't quite my cup of tea were all the mystical stuff.

It can be a good read and inspiration for a person who's into mysticism and that kind of stuff but I will pass it.

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 also doesn't provide patterns as much as just a photo of each design and then a drawing telling you what stitches to use.

What a wonderful book. This a perfect book for any embroiderer who enjoys the mindfulness of the hobby. I loved the way the focus was not necessarily on completing a project, rather the journey to completion. There are plenty of projects to go at, and Christi gives us the meanings of all her ideas. I loved the fact that this book enables you to create a gift for someone that actually means something symbolically, not just because it's handmade.

It is colourful, with loads of clear pictures, and very clear instructions on all of the stitches used (none of which are difficult), and there are charts that you can trace and use.

It is a wonderful book to buy for someone new to the craft, as it is so interesting and clear.

I loved the book so much that I now have it on pre-order with Amazon, as I feel that I need it on my bookshelf as a permanent fixture!

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! :)

--Wow, so inspirational and fun!--

I received an advanced review copy from the publisher through NetGalley and here are my thoughts.

This book is a big WOW. I loved how the author mixes in solid embroidery instruction with a wide range of great patterns to get you started in your own "mystical embroidery" project. I'm assuming that everyone can use the Look Inside preview to get a taste of the patterns presented, and certainly the publisher's own website will also provide you with the kind of previews you might want to see to help you decide whether or not this is the book for you. I think for many crafters, just seeing the pictures will help you decide whether or not this is the book for you.

However, since I'm using words to describe a book that is full of visual beauty, I will just say that there will be patterns for sacred geometry symbols, many many plants (herbs, flowers, etc.) , the human anatomy (heart, lungs, skull, etc) , symbols you might see in a Tarot deck (swords, pyramids, chalice, knot, etc), cosmic forms , nature forms, weather forms, and mythical beasts (griffin, dragon, phoenix and more). And I probably missed a category. There is just so much presented.

Beyond the patterns and instruction, the author guides you to create your own patterns and style...incorporate your own genius into a mindful practice of embroidery art.

This is a truly inspiring book, and love how it mixes embroidery with inspiration for life.

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.