Interweave Press has published a trio of new books that has planted more visions of needlework in my already over-stashed-with-ideas head.

“Crochet With Wire” by Nancie Wiseman, a small square 88-page book filled with eye-catching photographs, gives the ins and out of making beaded jewelry by crocheting with fine wire. “When I’m working with wire,” she writes, “it almost feels like I am sculpting rather than crocheting.” And, indeed, her jewelry designs have a certain appealing chunky sculptural flair.

The book contains directions for more than 20 projects – bracelets, necklaces, earrings, purses, baskets and a box. Her designs are elegant, whimsical and attractive.

Love those sock yarns that create patterns as you knit? Ever wonder how they make yarn like that? Well, wonder no more. Kathleen Taylor’s 100-page book “Yarns to Dye For: Creating Self-Patterning Yarns for Knitting,” walks you through the process. She even answers the question: How do self-patterning yarns work anyway? Yes, it involves math, but not that much and, thankfully, not algebra.

“I realized early on that if I wanted to use self-patterning yarns for projects that required bigger yarn or needles, I would have to figure out how to dye them myself. So I did,” she writes.

The book gives detailed instructions for measuring and dyeing to create self-patterning yarns. Directions also include how to hand-paint sections of yarn as well as a how-to guide for graduated immersion. The process of making self-patterning yarn, Taylor writes, is not difficult or expensive.

Projects in the book are grouped according to self-patterning properties – graduated color band, zigzag, striping and Fair Isle. Some of the patterns, which include mittens, scarves, hats, mitts, vests, pillows, socks and sweaters, are easy enough for beginners. I especially like the Fair Isle tassel-top earflap hat for babies and toddlers.

The patterns in the book could be knit with one-color yarns, if desired, making the book a useful addition to one’s knitting pattern library.

“Hip to Stitch: 20 Contemporary Projects Embellished with Thread” by Melinda A. Barta will appeal to those just learning to embroider and to veterans looking for a fresh approach.

“With just a needle, thread and a bit of cloth, you have all the pieces needed to stitch a portable, inexpensive work of art that’s all your own,” Barta writes.

In one project, Barta cleverly combines handbound book- making techniques with embroidery to create a stitch reference and needle storage book made of wool felt. Other book-related embroidery projects include a textile scrapbook and a photo album.

“Hip to Stitch” gets in an international mode with instructions for making Korean-inspired fabric thimbles lined with leather, and a pillow project done by machine with designs reminiscent of Japanese sashiko embroidery.

Out-of-the-ordinary projects in the book include gift tags, cards and notebooks made with machine embroidery techniques.

Also in the gift-giving mode are directions for embroidering festive designs on velvet ribbon.

Hair ties made with button forms covered with bits of embroidered fabric, then sewed to elastic hair ties, makes an interesting and easy beginner’s project.

Stop by your local bookstore to inquire about these books, or visit www.interweave.com.

Ardeana Hamlin may be reached at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.