An Exaltation of Blocks
An Exaltation of Blocks is a two-volume set of books by Rosalie Neilson on symmetric block design. The 140-page Volume One describes how motifs were developed to provide the interactive Toolkit of 72 printed Design Pages and 49 Transparent Overlays. It includes chapters on how to convert 6-block patterns into three different weave structures: Summer and Winter, Huck Lace, and Warp-faced Rep. It also includes a chapter suggesting ways to change symmetric motifs into asymmetric patterns. Volume Two contains the Toolkit of twelve envelopes where the Pages and Overlays are stored. The Toolkit is divided into two sections. Section One Design Pages and Transparent Overlays jump starts a weaver into 6-block patterns suitable for 8-shaft looms. The Section Two Design Pages illustrate the 1,024 4-block motifs which are also compatible with 8-shaft looms. The Transparent Overlays convert these into 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-block motifs suitable for looms with more than eight shafts.
The 9” x 12” book comes with its own storage box and book sleeve and retails for $125 for the set.
The images show the 4-block Design Page labeled D from the Section One Toolkit, and two different styles of Transparent Overlays labeled 6 and 10. Each style, when placed on the same Design Page, illustrates the wide variety of 6-block patterns which occur. The numbers which appear under the patterns can be used to reference the design elements used in constructing the patterns.
International Shipping information - the book is 6 pounds packaged. This means it can't ship First Class for International orders. It has to ship via USPS Priority Mail or FedEx Ground. Best rates I've found are USPS Priority International to Canada $45.00 and other countries appear to be around $50-60.
Books purchased after 10/13/17 include a book sleeve with the book.
Sorry, this book is not included in our volume discounts!
Volume One Errata (email us for a file you can print) - for first edition. The books we have in stock now have the correction included.
Shown in Bold Type Font these are labeling errors in Book 1.
Page 100 – Figure 9.16 – Design D2, center Motif H
Page 103 – Figures 9.21 and 9.22 – Motif #906
Page 104 – Figures 9.23 and 9.24 – Motif #906
Page 106 – Figures 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 – Design D2
Page 107 – Figures 10.6 and 10.7 – Design D2
Addendum - Note from Rosalie
The Section Two Design Pages, which illustrate the definitive number of 4-block motifs, have Transparent Overlays that transform them into 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-block motifs. I have written an Addendum to the book describing how the outlines are arranged in twill progressions. In fact, the 6-page Addendum illustrates all of the tie-ups for the 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-end twills.
The Addendum is a PDF on the home page of my website and on the page describing the book. Scroll down and click on the box labeled Border Outlines: The Definitive Tie-up of Shafts for Twill Structures. You can download the PDF and print the Addendum. Seeing how the outline borders are organized on the Transparent Overlays helps when developing the higher-ordered motifs of Section Two.
The links to the two pages are listed below.
https://www.rosalieneilson.com/
https://www.rosalieneilson.com/books/an-exaltation-of-blocks
