How to identify a first printing
- 1975-2005 (independent, Loveland CO; founded by Linda Ligon): Fiber-arts specialist (weaving, spinning, knitting, beadwork). First printing is identified by the earliest copyright year, usually with a descending number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' on book titles, the lowest digit giving the printing. Many titles grow out of the Handwoven, Spin-Off and Interweave Knits magazines.
- 2005-2019 (Aspire Media, then F+W Media ownership): Aspire Media acquired Interweave in 2005, and F+W Media acquired it in August 2012. The number-line convention continues, and copyright pages begin referencing F+W; Interweave became F+W's flagship fiber and craft imprint.
- 2019-present (F+W bankruptcy; Penguin Random House acquired F+W's book assets June 2019): F+W filed Chapter 11 on 10 March 2019, and PRH won the book publishing assets at the June 2019 auction. Recent printings follow the new owner's conventions, while older F+W-era stock remains in distribution; note the magazine and fiber-arts properties dispersed separately (Long Thread Media took several fiber titles).
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1975 by Linda Ligon as a weaving and fiber-arts publisher in Loveland, Colorado.
- Ownership chain: independent -> Aspire Media (2005) -> F+W Media (2012) -> F+W bankruptcy 2019 -> book assets to Penguin Random House; some magazine/fiber properties went elsewhere (Long Thread Media).
- Authoritative on handweaving, spinning, knitting and beadwork; many titles tie to its magazines.
- The F+W Chapter 11 (10 March 2019) is the key provenance break; post-2019 reprints carry different ownership.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Interweave, Interweave Press, Interweave Knits / Spin-Off / Handwoven (magazine-derived books). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Interweave Press book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1975-2005 (independent, Loveland CO; founded by Linda Ligon): Fiber-arts specialist (weaving, spinning, knitting, beadwork). First printing is identified by the earliest copyright year, usually with a descending number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' on book titles, the lowest digit giving the printing. Many titles grow out of the Handwoven, Spin-Off and Interweave Knits magazines. 2005-2019 (Aspire Media, then F+W Media ownership): Aspire Media acquired Interweave in 2005, and F+W Media acquired it in August 2012. The number-line convention continues, and copyright pages begin referencing F+W; Interweave became F+W's flagship fiber and craft imprint.
Does Interweave Press use a number line?
2005-2019 (Aspire Media, then F+W Media ownership): Aspire Media acquired Interweave in 2005, and F+W Media acquired it in August 2012. The number-line convention continues, and copyright pages begin referencing F+W; Interweave became F+W's flagship fiber and craft imprint.
Is a book-club edition a Interweave Press first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1975 by Linda Ligon as a weaving and fiber-arts publisher in Loveland, Colorado.
What era does this cover?
This covers Interweave Press (1975-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.