*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review purposes*

While I did enjoy the level of detail in this book I was expecting more patterns. It has a heavy focus on the spiritual side of things, which will really appeal to some people, but not much in the way of instruction for beginners.

Spirituality aside, this book was well written and gave me a lot of ideas. I feel that some of the stitches would come across better in photos rather than illustrations.

As a child a friend of the family gave me a couple of kits to learn crewel embroidery, and I was fascinated. I don't see these kits around anymore, but once in a while a book comes along to demonstrate the amazing variety of stitch textures that can be made with this art. This book is one of them.

It goes a step further and offers embroidery as a form of magic, suggesting rituals to do while stitching. The colour pictures throughout the book show just what a magnificent art this can be. Instructions are given for a wide variety of stitches that can be used in the patterns given or experimented with on your own and there is clear information on materials, including suitable fabrics to make your needlework get best results.

The patterns include shapes, mystical symbols, talismans, planets, zodiac signs as well as flowers, herbs, animals and mythical creatures. They are clear and reasonably easy to copy.

In between you get meditations and stretches to get your body moving again after sitting and stitching too long. There are colour meanings and suggestions for decorating clothing or creative full landscapes in stitchery.

What makes this book different from other needlework books is the spiritual aspect of both the text and the choice of designs. I found it a unique offering and well worth having a copy to inspire me to get back into this form of embroidery.

When I requested this book, I was expecting a typical “here’s my designs, I hope that you enjoy crafting them”.
What I didn’t expect what a beautiful, meditative, mindful, deeply spiritual exploration of how crafting and creating can be a way of becoming more in touch with yourself, and with the divine.
I had to stop, think, breath, and come back with a clear mind. Stitch craft, for me, is often just something that I do to keep my hands busy. I’m definitely taking a second look at how I approach things.

There are some really great ideas in this book. Just like a bedazzler I'm going to emroider everything I can get my hands on! Thank you to the author Christi Johnson and Storey Publishing for the book to review and the wonderful project inspiration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Some good ideas and techniques shown. Good for those who do have an interest in embroidery and want to use symbols they can create on things themselves.

This is a great book for a beginner as it contains lots of information to get you started with hand embroidery. With clear diagrams and instructions it shows you how to do the stitches. It then provides you with a host of images you can use to create your own projects. There is a lot of detail in the book and it’s filled with information for both beginner and accomplished crafters. You can tell a great deal of care has gone into making it. I definitely recommend this gorgeous book for anyone interested in hand embroidery. Thank you #netgalley

Christi Johnson's Mystical Stitches is a really nice general embroidery book, with a meditative/mystical twist. Johnson goes over the basics of embroidery for those of us still learning to master the basics of needlework, and then discusses the meditative ways you can embroider, the types of designs and symbols that show up in various mystic traditions, and then breaks down individual projects and gives guidelines for more detailed patterns you may wish to try out. I like the style, and even if I'm not super mystical myself I think there's something nice about grounding yourself in doing something "analog" like needlework. The interspersed suggestions on breathing, meditation, and stretches are also nice - valuable for any crafter who needs to remember to take breaks and ward off hand cramps!

Mystical Stitches drew me in from the start with its beautiful and enticing cover. Who wouldn’t want to embroider something after seeing that? The book is full of expert stitching instruction for the beginner, but even an expert will learn from the author’s instructions. It is full of lovely designs, mostly spiritual and new age, and some I would consider attempting myself. It leans heavily on the spiritual side of creating, and there are many references to talismans, mythology, astrology, meditation, and even yoga. Not quite the embroidery tutorial for me, it does have many beautiful designs. It could have been better had it included some patterns. The right audience will enjoy using this well-thought-out tutorial. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. I gave it three and a half stars rounded down to three.

I really like this book, not only has it got some fabulous embroidery designs, but it incorporates the slow movement in all things we do, and how we can gain peace, energy and self empowerment in the simple art of stitching.
Christi Johnson describes herself as "an all out stitchery witch", and many of the symbols and style in her designs are reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. but her designs are geared to relaxation, enjoyment and slow stitching.
Well written with lots of information and easy to follow directions

Such a good and informative book!

Great explanation of how to do the stitches before you get the unique stitches to the book - I can't wait to try this out in my next project.

I am not sure how to put into words how much I am enjoying this book . I have in the past made quite a few things using embroidery . Looked at many books and magazines .This book is on a total different level . It's a book you would never get rid ! So much interesting information that you want to read and re-read . Pictures and instructions are so easy to understand and follow . Not only that, it gives you a enjoyable read ! Wonderful book , I can't praise it enough , even if you don't want to sew you will enjoy this book ( but I bet you will !!)

This is mystical in the astrological sense, which isn't what I expected going in. However they are beautiful designs, which are explained with very clear and detailed tutorials

Thank you to Christi Johnson and Storey Publishing, LLC for sharing this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I was under the impression this book would be more of a how-to-guide as a beginner Embroiderist. What I found was Christi was encouraging artists to think about the spiritual element in their work. Urging readers to consider intention, symbols, and even rituals as they are created. Frankly, I was a bit surprised by the contents. As such, I would love to break down what I gathered from the book.

What this book does:
-Have you analyze the intentionality behind each piece you decide to create.
-Historicize symbols and icons.
-Inspire you through picturesque graphics and photos.
-Provide meditation activities and poses that can help you through the creative process.

What this book doesn't do:
-Provide patterns for each item.
-It does not provide a linear road map for beginners to become a "pro."

Overall I believe Christi accomplishes what she was aimed to accomplish. I felt empowered to strategize and take some of her ideologies and nuggets of wisdom. In many ways, I felt like this book targets a group of people self-healing through spirituality.

Let me just start off by saying what a beautiful book this is. I enjoyed the way it was written, the layout and the photos but as a complete novice, I think I was expecting more in the way of actual patterns.

I will absolutely use this book when I’m more confident in what I’m doing, I just adore anything Mystical and this book didn’t let me down. It also inspired me in my other craft hobbies (knitting & crochet).

This will be a great addition to my craft bookshelves.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant book, perfect for encouraging new or experienced embroidery artists and inspiring new ideas. I'm a beginner to the craft but as a long time cross stitcher and sewist I'm ready pretty handy with a needle and thread, but wanted to learn more about the stitches and get some ideas. This book gives me all this and more. I love the bohemian, ephemeral style of the designs and think this will be a firm favourite that I'll turn to again and again.
Beautiful photography, clear instructions and helpful guides.

Embroidery has been around for centuries, and this book takes a look at how artistic symbolism can help us to manifest change in our personal lives. This book suggests that creativity is a jumping block for magic, and introduces us to the idea that imagery is the basis for spiritual and inner communication. I loved the idea that intention is tied to our subconscious mind, which prefers to speak in symbols, and that by working with images and patterns we can boost our spiritual power. This is something I will take with me and continue to think about as I create art.

This was a wonderful read, thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free ARC!

I love the designs in this book!

I have always found that crafting things helps me to find peace and it is nice to see a book that goes along with that idea and goes into much more depth.

The designs are beautiful, the photographs are amazing and this book will help to encourage your mystical, creative self to keep creating wonderful things.

As a fairly new embroiderer and someone with an interest in the occult this book was perfect for me. The pages where they showed you the different stitches was a great instructional piece for new embroiderers or a helpful reminders for people like me who knew the basics but usually need a refresher on the wide variety of stitches available. Although it doesn't include any patterns, it did inspire me to replicate the designs in the book. I also found it wonderful that there was some information about the different symbols and what they could be used for.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in embroidery and the occult and I will be picking up a copy for my sister-in-law.

This beautiful book is a great addition to an embroidery book collection for someone who is looking to add a little magic to their embroidery. While I normally do hoop work and this focuses more on clothing, I still find the designs and their meanings to be quite inspiration. It also made me want to try sewing designs on clothing, which I probably will shortly. It has clear and concise instructions for not only the common stitches, but also the designs themselves. If you've never embroidered before and are looking for a magical way to get into the art, this book is for you.