:: May 2001 
Review
The Needlepoint Book
The Needlepoint Book, by Jo Ippolito Christensen, first published in 1976 was so thorough in content and stitch illustrations that it has come to be referred to as the black Bible of needlepoint. The slipcover has ‘70's color photos, and the book itself is black with white lettering on the spine. I bought my copy in a used book store last year.
In 1999, Christensen's revised edition of her classic book was released. The new edition has a more extensive table of contents, an attractive color photo section of updated needlepoint projects, and a revamped coverage of design with specific attention to the use of color. There is much more information presented, and the stitches categories have been expanded from eight to ten. The revised edition has 44 more pages than the original edition.
In two aspects, the original edition excels. Its type is larger and easier to read than that of the revised edition, and it was released in hardback as well as paperback. I have a firm preference for hardback books for fibreworkers because we use our books frequently and we often need to be able to travel with them. I would gladly have paid more for a hardback edition of this highly useful, thoroughly revised book.
It was of historical interest to me that the list of projects to be made using needlepoint in the revised edition omits the cigarette case project listed in the 1976 edition. I recommend acquiring both books over time -- starting with the revised edition -- and discovering the virtues of each