Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs. CICO Books, $19.95, 2010; cicobooks.com
I love every single project in this gorgeous book inspired by traditional Scandinavian design. Clare Youngs has created a beautiful and diverse set of projects, whether it's a seat cushion embroidered with a stunning bird, a sweetly stitched dress for a little girl, or an elegant quilt made from found textiles. She's remained true to the clean materials (felt, linen, waffle-weave cotton) and clean look of the far North, but uses bright colors and easy techniques to make objects anyone would love. I have Finnish heritage and friends from Finland, Sweden and Norway, so the book has totally captured my imagination, but even if your familiarity with Scandinavia is limited to Ikea, I suspect you still won't know which project to start on first.
We're sharing a pattern for making a felt bag embroidered with an abstract floral design inspired by an antique wooden trunk. Download the project excerpt PDF to make this charming embroidered felt bag and enter the giveaway after the jump.
Download the PDF
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Book Giveaway Time!
One lucky Craft reader will win a copy of Scandinavian Needlecraft. Just tell us why you would like this book in the comments. All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. The lucky winner will be chosen randomly and announced later on the site. Good luck!
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Rats, I guess I missed the deadline :( That looks like a really cute book!
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Haven't emboidered in a while but these are so pretty!
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Though my parents are German, their affinity for the northern European regions has certainly rubbed off on me. I give my mom and my Oma most of the credit for my growing love of Scandinavian design--it's simple, clean and has such a warmth about it.
As an interior designer, I enjoy the aesthetic because it is classic. Traditional Scandinavian designs look fresh and contemporary still.
I was laid off from my job over seven months ago, just as my divorce was being finalized. Though I've lost a lot in such a short time, I've found that all the upheaval has revealed a few things that are really valuable to me: my family, my friends and my resourcefulness. I've been able to divert my attention from the frustrations of being jobless (and newly single) by spending time making things. I've been refashioning my clothing instead of buying new, I find ways to refresh my home with found items or thrift-store finds, and I'm working on setting up my own blog celebrating all things hand-made.
I think this book would be a wonderful inspiration for me and keep me busy making beautiful things for a long time to come!
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I've been stalking this book for ages now; it's just gorgeous. I'd love it because it has a design for an embroidered tea-towel which is based on a classic crockery design that my norwegian grandma and aunt collect, and they would go absolutely nuts if i could make it for them.
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I'm half Swedish, and I do a ton of embroidery, so obviously this book interests me.. :-)
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Scandinavian design: quiet, clean, clever. I need more of all that in my surroundings. Pick me! I even have a drop of Danish in my genes. Does that help?
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I've just started learning embroidery and this book looks amazing!
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Looks like a beautiful book can’t wait to check it out.
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I would really love to try a new needlecraft and this one looks awesome and classic.
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Rarely do I see a book with so many projects that I actually like. I would love to have my own copy of this book.
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Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful book & for the .pdf pattern.
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I love love love this book! Beautiful designs, would love to try some out!
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Not sure "why" I should get the book, I just want it, and I would love it, and take it for walks and feed it twice a day. Can I have it please?
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I would love to try some of the patterns in the book, great shapes, and add some needle felting to the designs as well.
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I came across this book a couple of months ago at B&N and had to keep myself from drooling on the pages! I've been coveting it since!
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I've had the itch to embroider lately, and this book would be just the ticket. Thanks for the chance!
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I've been trying to pare down my style to just white with some colourful accents (a la Scandinavian design), and this book would be perfect for crafting along those lines!
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I'd love to win this book so I could learn a new craft!
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This book looks just gorgeous, and would really inspire me to brighten up my all white apartment!
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I really like the simple, elegant style of this book and it has some lovely designs I'd like to try.
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I love the free project and the project on the cover of the book! I look forward to seeing more. I like the combination of embroidery and fiber. Thanks!
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I have seen this book at the bookstore and love all of the beautiful projects!
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I would absolutely love this book! It reminds me of a book I used to have while in Japan. They have such similar tastes of elegance and simplicity!
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great book to get me started on holiday gifts, the cover is beautiful
thanks
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Uff Da! Since I can't afford to get to Norway to see the land of my ancestors at the moment, this book will go a long way in making me feel a little closer to the motherland.
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as a norwegian american, I am always looking for ways to scandify my home.
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my partner is norwegian & i am always trying to find ways to incorporate his heritage into my crafting. what better way then with this so-adorable-i-think-i-may-pass-out book!
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I would love a copy of this beautiful book. The first embroidery books I ever purchased where Scandinavian & this would fit right in!
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Lovely, modern interpretation of Scandinavian design. Would love to give it a try.
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I would love to have this book. I HAVE to keep my hands busy-during my daughter's track meets I embroider or crochet. Both the boys and the girs watch me. One 9 year old was interested enough that I traced her initial on fabric, she stitched it (PERFECTLY), then I sewed it into a drawstring bag. She is currently working on a pillowcase I drew dolphins on. So, I am looking for simple patterns for her to stitch. This book seems perfect for her.
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I'd love to receive this book, because I'm trying to take more time to do fantastic craft projects to restore the work-life balance I've lost due to rampant workaholism.
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I'm mostly just interested in the pretty embroidery patterns--also in learning how to sew a bit better with simple projects.
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This book giveaway has finally broken down my resistance to registering for an account just for leaving comments. I just checked out the preview for the book at the publishers website and the projects are simply wonderful.
Thanks for offering the giveaway and for the free PDF pattern!
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I want to win for such a simple reason:
everything in that book looks gorgeous!
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I need to get a connection to my Scandinavian roots!
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I love the bright colors and simple lines of Scandinavian design. These look like much fun to stitch up!
Thanks for the chance to win!
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This book looks absolutely beautiful. I would love to make some of those projects for my Mom, who has Norwegian in our family tree, and loves to celebrate that fact. Thanks for the opportunity to play along.
Betsy
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I too would love to give my Indian house a Scandinavian touch :) Keeping my fingers crossed! Love u guys!
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Really I need to say why? :D cause this book is amazing! I would like to win it.
Hugs and thanks for the giveaway :)
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I would love to present this book to my sister who has retired and is getting back into the crafting world. She is also all about Scandinavia as that is our heritage.
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I'd love this book because I've had to delay a dream trip to Scandinavia thanks to lack of money and making these crafts would tide me over until I could afford to go.
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Hi-
I would love this book. I have a vintage Scandinavian crewel book and it is awesome.
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I've been dying to learn more about Scandinavian embroidery. I learned Hungarian embroidery techniques when I lived there, but I don't have any northern European patterns. This book looks wonderful!
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Due to recent job situations, I have been finding myself with a lot more time to craft. I think this book looks brilliant, and I would love to make a bunch of the things in it!
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I would love to work on some of these crafts.
Cindy
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I WANT this book. I grew up on Scandinavian design and want to great more in the style!! Please pick me.
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I am of Swedish descent and would love to have this book for inspiration.
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i love the whimsy, i'd love the book!
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My name is Swedish, my step grandfather was Danish and raised me to feel Danish and my heart was broken by a Norwegian. Despite that, I love Scandinavian things and would love to learn how to craft like the women in my Bestefa's family.
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I would like to get to know about the area and its people through its arts and crafts.
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I've always wanted to learn embroidery, and the bag on the cover is adorable! I also love all things Swedish!
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So cute! I recently started to learn more about my Swedish heritage and to be able to combine that with crafts? In one word: awesome!
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This book looks like it has alot of projects that I would love to get my hands into. I would make Rose (Golden Girls - Betty White) proud!!
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I would love to make my Norwegian grandma somethings from this book.
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My husband is part Scandinavian so it would be great to make some projects that have influences from his heritage!
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i love embellishing projects, this book looks like it has lots of good ideas
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I love these simple patterns! I love to stitch on paper or felt.
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Just started embroidery with a passion and would love these pattens!!!!
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I have friends who decorate in the Scandinavian style and I'm always looking for good ideas for something to make for them. This book looks like it would be perfect!
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I love the felt bag project. The patterns would help me make beautiful gifts for the Scandinavians in my family!
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Always looking for some new inspiration..
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I would LOVE to have this book because I've been eying it for months and months! I browsed through it in a bookstore and had a real "Aha!" moment. It fit to a tee one of my favorite styles of needlework, but I didn't realize it had a name. I actually said out loud, "Oh! I like Scandinavian designs!" Sort of funny not to have known that.... Anyway, it's been on my wishlist ever since, so I was psyched to see it show up here. Thanks for the opportunity!
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I keep seeing this book in blogs but haven't seen it in person. Looks really interesting!
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Swedish/Scandinavian design is the best, but being of Norwegian heritage, I'm probably biased. I'd love to make some new pillows to match a danish chair that I just bought, as well as creating the bag on the cover. Too wonderful!
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Woa, cute AND fashionable!!! They also look do-able for a beginner to embroidery too.
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I would love to have such a wonderful source of inspiration in my book collection!
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why? because it looks awesome! And we love all things Scandinavian!
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I'm always looking for new needlecraft books for inspiration.
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thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a great giveaway! I'm in love with the book just looking at the cover! can't wait to find out who the winner is! Good luck to all.
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My father is 2nd generation Norwegian, and I LOVE Scandinavian needlework. My great-aunts were extremely talented sewers, quilters, and knitters. I would love to make these projects!
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This book looks so great! I'd like it because one can never have too many needlecraft books :)
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I'm a child of the 60's and my parents filled the house with Scandinavian furniture and accessories. I'd like to do the same, but making as much as I can.
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I love Scandinavian folk art, and I want to find a pattern that I can use for a chair seat I want to recover.
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This is a very nice book. I was looking to buy one for my birthday this week... :) Please enter me to win! Thanks and have a blessed week ~
Teresa Carns
http://favoritethings.typepad.com/delightful_whimsy/
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Two words- Scandinavian -Needlecraft! What more could make you want this book!
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I'd love a copy of the book. I've been doing needlework since I was 10 years old. I love creating many different items from a single design.
I belong to our local medieval group (society for creative anachronism SCA) and try to find historically accurate patterns.
I'd love to be able to add your book to my library and share it's knowledge with others.
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I have already made the embroidered felt bag, and am falling in love with all these traditional patterns.
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I love the cover of this book. It makes me want to dig out my embroidery needles. I haven't seen any of the other projects in this book but the cover promises simple fresh designs and I'm ready for this look!
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I do a Swedish house at an historical site and would love to use the patterns in the book!
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I am lovin' on this book because not only are the projects awesome if made as is, but they can be adapted and switched up for other decor and themes. I dig it much.
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