Book Review and Giveaway | Hubble Stitch

Most if not all beading stitches have been around for so long no one knows who first created them. So it is pretty rare to come across a new beading stitch, let alone one which is so versatile and fits right in there with other modern beading techniques.

I recently received this book, Hubble Stitch: Instructions and Inspiration for this Creative New Lace Beadwork Technique from Interweave/F+W Media for review. UK author and bead jewelry designer, Melanie de Miguel shares her discovery of this new stitch in a series of 12 hubble stitch projects. This is her first offering of hubble stitch variations and it is clear there are ample opportunities for more.

At first glance, hubble stitch resembles right angle weave (RAW).  But on closer examination, how the beads sit is different - somewhat tilted like for herringbone.  Indeed the author describes hubble stitch "as a blend of herringbone and ladder stitch and a close cousin of RAW, all rolled into one." The abbreviations of HB for herringbone and L for ladder combined together gave rise to the new stitch's unusual name.

It was a serendipitous discovery which "all started with a very perky picot."  How the four beads of the basic hubble stitch sit together is accomplished with the right thread passes and "snuggling up" the beads in just the right way.  Like many other beading stitches, the first row will be fiddly before the beading gets easier.

Spectrum Bracelet

The earlier and easier projects in the book show an open style of beading reminiscent of true RAW.  Hubble stitch is so versatile, it can be used to make beaded waves and curls.

Spex Vortex Eyeglass Holder Necklace

La Nina Bracelet

There are projects which utilize the 2 or 3 drop hubble stitch. The bracelet below uses a horizontally spaced out hubble stitch.  A different look is achieved when the stitch is worked in a vertical fashion.

Crystal Ladder Bracelet

Circular and tubular hubble stitch ropes can also be accomplished!

Hubble Rope

Snowflake Earrings

The Solar Flare pendant necklace is the final project in the book - a lovely design which incorporates several variations of the hubble stitch to become the beaded bezel for a Swarovski rivoli.

Solar Flare Necklace 

A lovely little (it is physically smaller than the average beading book) volume for those who want to do something new but not too challenging.  Once the hubble stitch is learned, students could then go on to explore new variations of their own.

Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of Hubble Stitch please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.

This giveaway is international. 
If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book.  Otherwise it will be an eBook.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday,  July 4 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

Disclosure
I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.

Before You Go:

• Book Review | Bead Riffs with Free Tutorials
• Book Review | Classical Elegance - 20 Beaded Jewelry Designs
• Book Review | Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry

______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips