There are wonderful needlepoint books out there, many older and out-of-print, and using eBay is a fantastic way to start or increase your library of books. This guide talks about the categories of needlepoint books. I hope this will hep you find books you like.

If you are just starting needlepoint, you will need to get one (or more) basic reference books. These books cover the materials of needlepoint, good stitching habits, and stitches. They may include lots of stitches (like The Needlepoint Book), information about design and finishing, or projects. They can be inexpensive (how to Needlepoint) or not. But they are an essential starting point.

One ideal inexpensive way to start it to get an older edition of The Needlepoint Book. I regularly buy these to give to my students. They can be a reference for the rest of your life.

The second category of book is a stitch dictionary. These books have diagrams of stitches, lots of them. They might also have pictures, ideas for how to use the stitches, or stitching tips. There are many of them. They make great additions to your library.

The third category is technique books. These books cover one particular type of needlepoint technique. Bargello is one of my favorites. There a few Bargello books in print today, so eBay is the perfect place to find them. If you try a technique and like it, look for books about this technique. Another worthwhile subject to seek out is finishing books.

The next category of books is project books. These books have specific needlepoint projects. Often they are charted, but older needlepoint books often have line drawings you transfer to canvas. One other thing to note about older books, they may call for threads no longer available. Adapt the threads to what you can find. Your local shop owner can help with this.

Celebrity needlepoint books are another category. These are books by a well-known person and include stories, pictures of projects, and sometimes projects. They are great for inspiration.

The category of inspiration books is very wide. Books by Kaffe Fasset, books of pictures, clip art books, and lots of other things can become the basis for great needlepoint. About 1/3 of my needlepoint books collection falls into this category.

Use eBay, visit library sales, go to thrift shops. With so many great needlepoint books out there, you can build a great library quickly.

Janet M. Perry is one of the leading writers of needlepoint stitch guides in the world. She writes innovative guides for needlepoint canvases from over 20 designers. She puts into practice her motto to make needlepoint fast, fun and affordable.

She is an expert in needlepoint, both on the Web and through her writing as the Needlepoint Pro for Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine. She works with deigners, shops, and thread manufacturers on new products and regularly reports on trends in needlepoint.

Her newest book, Needlepoint Trade Secrets, will be available in the summer of 2007 on Amazon. Visit her website (http://www.napaneedlepoint.com) or blog (http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com) to learn about my newest products.