Learn the basic stitches and essential techniques to create beautiful blackwork embroidery with this comprehensive, illustrated guide. Expert crafter Kate Haxell introduces readers to the centuries-old technique of blackwork embroidery. This volume explains the basic tools and materials you need to get started, plus thirty timelessly elegant blackwork embroidery patterns. Every pattern has clear step-by-step instructions and is accompanied by colored diagrams, making it easy to create these bold designs yourself. This compact book also includes instructions for two projects by professional embroiderer Becky Hogg—a bird book bag and decorative blackwork buttons.