Although I know I already linked to them in yesterday’s thrifty post, I just can’t get over how much I love all these DIY titles at the Lawrence Public Library. I want you to gaze longingly at their beautiful covers and even drool a little bit, much like I’ve been doing for the past week. It’s time for a booklist!
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Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to SewHighlighting the influence Japanese craft has imparted on the world of fiber arts, this illustrated manual showcases the stylish sensibilities of eastern expertise in creating handbags. Sewers are shown how to create distinct and fashionable works of functional art, such as a wool tweed travel bag, a stylish denim bag with grommet and zipper details, a roomy tote with contrast lining and inside pockets, a wool messenger bag, and a soft luggage tote. |
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I Heart Felt: 33 Eye-Popping Projects for the Inspired Knitter I Heart Felt: 33 Eye-Popping Projects for the Inspired Knitter is a follow-up to the author’s very successful first book on felting (Knit One, Felt Too), which was really meant as a beginner’s guide. I Heart Felt will also be appropriate to newcomers in felting but it pushes the creative edges on just what you can do with felting, making for a hugely imaginative and engaging collection of 33 original designs |
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Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More!If you’re a fan of amigurumi, you already know that super-sweet crocheted bunnies and kitties and pandas have taken the indie craft world by storm. The dolls in Creepy Cute Crochet eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast! This unique craft book contains more than 25 patterns for zombies, ninjas, Vikings, vampires, aliens, robots, and even Death himself. Each easy-to-follow pattern is presented with step-by-step diagrams, hilarious commentary, and full-color photographs of the creatures in their natural environments. |
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The Ultimate Basket BookTwo of the most celebrated basket-making books — The Basket Book and Handmade Baskets — are now together in one great resource, featuring 10 extra projects and beautiful brand-new color photography. Lyn Siler explores tools and materials, introduces all the fundamental techniques (weaving, plaiting, coiling, twining & wailing), and provides advice on adding rims, bases and handles. |
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The Illustrated Bead BibleFrom Abalone and Abija to Zen Beads and Zipper Stitch, this lavish glossary contains a goldmine of beading information! Eager beaders will discover a broad overview of the subject, with definitions that cover historical background, technical details, and cultural customs. The topics include tools, materials, bead types and skills, finishes, and even the countries famous for advancing the art. |
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Designing Handcrafted CardsWith an amazing skill for simple, beautiful, and exquisite designs, paper craft and quilling expert Claire Sunok Choi offers 60 beautiful card designs that you can make yourself. Each project has detailed step-by-step instructions and photos to ensure complete success. |
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Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting BookWith input from more than 50 leading specialists, no other book covers the field so comprehensively. Need guidance on yarns, needles, tools, basic techniques, specialized applications, terminology? It’s in here—with lots more, from diagnostics to blocking to designs. This is the knitter’s ultimate reference guide. |
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Origami HolidaysA snowman that will never melt, a pretty Easter basket to fill with painted eggs, a paper scarecrow with a jack-o’-lantern face! It’s easy to make these origami pieces with basic instructions and detailed illustrations for every fold. Decorate your Christmas tree with a lovely Angel, or delight everyone with an elaborate Santa’s Sleigh complete with all the tiny reindeer. |
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No Sheep For You: Knit Happy With Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo, and Other Delights Yarns made from plant fibers, modern synthetics, and silk take the spotlight in this collection of 21 classic knitting patterns. Some knitters are discouraged by the thought of baggy hemp sweaters and droopy cotton socks when they consider vegetable fibers, but this authoritative, fun, and light-hearted guide promises that, while wool has no equal when it comes to elasticity and warmth, the right tricks and techniques produce non-wool fashions that fit well, wear well, and hang beautifully. |
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Quilting For Peace: Make The World A Better Place One Stitch at a TimeQuilting for Peace profiles quilters in more than 25 essays about individuals and organizations devoted to making quilts and other necessities for the needy. The efforts range from Quilts of Valor, which makes quilts to honor wounded soldiers; to the Sleeping Bag Project, which distributes 100,000 homemade sleeping bags to the homeless every year. This timely book also includes 15 projects and guidelines for quilters who want to contribute to an existing effort or establish a new one. |
I admit I’m most intrigued by Creepy Cute Crochet … ! What are your favorite DIY titles?
Rachel Smalter Hall 
I found Last-Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts some time last year when I was looking to make a quick gift. I’m pretty sure I never actually made anything from it, but it had awesome ideas. My favorite thing about this book? It’s actually broken down into how long the projects take, anywhere from less than 2 hours to more than 12. There were a ton of cute ideas!
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/77011644
ps-Rachel, I love your blog!
Thanks for the quilting find, Katie! A talented quilter and family friend made Aaron and I this amazing quilt as a wedding gift, and she actually had all of our friends and family put little hand stitches into it before she machine quilted the rest. Patchwork is awesome ~ I’ve seen some super creative and artsy designs, and it would be fun to give it a whirl with a less-than-2-hour project : )