Next big thing after knitting? Embroidery

Call this the home-ec decade — when knitting became cool, you had to know embroidery wouldn't be far behind.

True, you don't read much yet about celebrities gathering for stitch-fests, but you might, especially with the publication of this new book.

"Colorful Stitchery: 65 Hot Embroidery Projects to Personalize Your Home," by Kristin Nicholas (Storey Publishing, $19.95), really does make embroidery look chic.

Sure, there's a lot of felt involved — as well as the requisite pot holders — but there also are perky pillows, flowery table linens and bright European dishtowels. And, like the book itself, most of the projects are colorful, creative and inspirational.

Nicholas wisely begins with the basics — a little stitching history, a glance at fabric and thread choices and a guide to tools. Her instructions are detailed and well-illustrated, especially when explaining the differences between stitches.

Each project has its own chapter, illustrated with finished examples and highlighted with step-by-step instructions.

Most of the projects, she says, can be completed in an evening or two. Many are portable, and all can be relatively inexpensive, since you might have a lot of the materials — ribbon, yarn, old sweaters and, yes, good old felt — lying around the house, just waiting for their chance at a comeback.

Sandy Dunham, Seattle Times desk editor