MaryJane's Stitching Room


MaryJane Butters - 2007
    Along with more of MaryJane’s engaging essays and endearing farmgirl wisdom, you’ll find projects that have an irresistible appeal for the contemporary crafter who is intrigued with the delicate handcrafts of yesteryear. MaryJane includes nostalgic patterns with simple step-by-step instructions for projects to wear, for gifts, or to bring down-home charm to any room of the home, all with her unmistakable farmgirl flair.MaryJane’s Stitching Room is a wonderful companion to MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook, but it also stands alone as a useful guide to the handiwork of days gone by.

The Better Bag Maker: An Illustrated Handbook of Handbag Design Techniques, Tips, and Tricks


Nicole Mallalieu - 2014
    In this how-to book accomplished bag maker, Nicole Mallalieu, reveals her high-end techniques, shortcuts, and secrets for professional design and finishes. The 10 featured projects teach a range of expert skills from adjusting the proportion of the pattern to constructing pockets, straps, flaps, and bases.. By the end of this book, you ll have a closetful of polished bags and most likely sew better than you ever imagined you could."

Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects


Betz White - 2007
    There's something to make for everybody, including all the beloved "little creatures" in your life. Your pup will look adorable in the Haute Dawg Doggie Sweater, and your favorite princess will adore the Teacup Jumper with the playful mouse finger puppet tucked in the pocket. There are plenty of projects for grown-ups, too, like the Rainbow Bag with rows of colorful waves and the Rustic Throw with reverse applique leaves.The best thing about these projects is how easy they are to make and there's no knitting involved! Simply throw old wool sweaters into the wash, then cut them apart to sew into felted goodies.Start with the sweet Cupcake Pincushions–they're so easy, and so very cute!"

Knit to Flatter: The Only Instructions You'll Ever Need to Knit Sweaters That Make You Look Good and Feel Great!


Amy Herzog - 2013
    Part instruction manual and part pattern collection, Knit to Flatter teaches you how to assess your shape—top-heavy, bottom-heavy, or proportional— and then knit accordingly. With a great sense of fun and acceptance, Amy Herzog presents silhouettes and styles that work with each body shape, along with four ideal sweater patterns per category. She then provides patterns for 10 more sweaters with guidelines for customizing, so they can be tailored to flatter. Each pattern is written in up to 10 sizes, and the garments are photographed on models with genuine curves. No smoke and mirrors here. Just real beauty!

Alternacrafts: 20+ Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make


Jessica Vitkus - 2006
    With an emphasis on recycling, making projects from scratch, and improvisation - as well as detailed, easy-to-understand instructions - this title gives crafters the skills they need to self-express, by shaping their own environments, whether they're working on their bodies, their bedrooms, their lockers at school, or their first apartments.

The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting: Learn to Knit with more than 30 Cool, Easy Patterns


Nancy Queen - 2008
    Let go of your fear of knitting, and take hold of The Chicks with Sticks® Guide to Knitting. With more than 30 simple, chic projects plus simple step-by-step instructions, this book is the complete guide to starting and enjoying this fun, rewarding hobby. New knitters can finish up their first projects in a weekend; more advanced beginners (that is, the ones who have knitted scarves before) can move to the next level. Call your posse and settle down in the living room or at the coffeehouse. The Chicks with Sticks will take care of the rest, from essential tools and materials to basic lessons to more than 30 doable projects, including cool belts, beautiful scarves, felted bags, stylish wraps, and snuggly sweaters.

Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear


Nancy Bush - 1994
    Here are 18 sock patterns inspired by a host of folk knitting traditions.

Knitters Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges


Ann Budd - 2002
    Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

Simple Quilts from Me and My Sister Designs: Easy as 1, 2, 3


Barbara Groves - 2013
     Select from 12 strikingly simple quilts and recharge your creative batteries Discover skill-building projects that move from squares and strips to designs featuring stitch-and-flip corners, half-square triangles, pinwheels, a Rail Fence layout, and more Enjoy patterns that are just right for quilt retreats and make-in-a weekend gifts

Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People


Amy Sedaris - 2010
    According to Amy Sedaris, it's often been said that ugly people craft and attractive people have sex. In her new book, Simple Times, she sets the record straight. Demonstrating that crafting is one of life's more pleasurable and constructive leisure activities, Sedaris shows that anyone with a couple of hours to kill and access to pipe cleaners can join the elite society of crafters. You will discover how to make popular crafts, such as: crab-claw roach clips, tinfoil balls, and crepe-paper moccasins, and learn how to: get inspired (Spend time at a Renaissance Fair; Buy fruit, let it get old, and see what shapes it turns into); remember which kind of glue to use with which material (Tacky with Furry, Gummy with Gritty, Paste with Prickly, and always Gloppy with Sandy); create your own craft room and avoid the most common crafting accidents (sawdust fires, feather asphyxia, pine cone lodged in throat); and cook your own edible crafts, from a Crafty Candle Salad to Sugar Skulls, and many more recipes. PLUS whole chapters full of more crafting ideas (Pompom Ringworms! Seashell Toilet Seat Covers!) that will inspire you to create your own hastily constructed obscure d'arts; and much, much more!

Make and Give: Simple and Modern Crafts to Brighten Every Day


Steph Hung - 2014
    This is a book of 35 simple, modern craft projects to make any day special for the people we love. A handmade gift--even the smallest and simplest of gestures--brings a smile and makes a moment more meaningful. Any day, not just holidays and specific occasions, is an opportunity to create and gift. These versatile projects require no special skills and work for a range of people--from children to house guests--and occasions. Visually driven in its presentation, Make and Give stands apart from the traditional craft book with its bright colors and modern, graphic look. Each project is illustrated with step-by-step photographs, charts, and unique infographics. Less text, more photos, and illustrated designs guide the reader. The projects are inspired by the things the authors--designers and crafters by trade--make for their own friends and family. The book includes the authors' personal inspiration for each project, as well as "Make This For" tips to encourage readers to think about the special people for whom they could make these crafts. Projects include fill-in-the-blank tattoos, pressed herb prints, a weekday advent, a family tree embroidery, hand-drawn pillows, and candy capsule necklaces.

Color in Spinning


Deb Menz - 1998
    A chapter on understanding color principles offers novice spinners the skills needed to easily work with color while providing advanced spinning techniques for the expert dyer. A gallery of finished pieces as well as appendixes on dye workshops and metric conversions are included.

Scandinavian Stitches: 21 Playful Projects with Seasonal Flair


Kajsa Wikman - 2010
    This work features 21 projects - including quilts, pillows, and soft ornaments - that draw their inspiration from the seasons and offer a fresh, modern take on folk art.

Doodle Stitching: the motif collection


Aimee Ray - 2010
    More than a dozen categories include Alphabet, Asian Chic, Baby, Celebrations, Embellishments, Fruits & Veggies, Space, Trees, Flowers, Winged Wonders, and Woodland Creatures-and each section includes one motif stitched by the author. The motifs on the CD are in simple black lines, so readers can easily manipulate them using their own image-editing software, print them out, and transfer them onto their substrate of choice using the instructions in the book.PROJECTS INCLUDE:Wearables: Jewelry, pajama pants, hat and mittens o Home Décor: Fabric basket, decorative wall hangings, more o Gift Items: Keepsake gift bags

Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting


Cecily Keim - 2005
    make crocheting one of today's hottest hobbies. This VISUAL guide makes it easy to pick up a hook and a ball of yarn and get stitching, with clear, step-by-step presentations of techniques accompanied by detailed color photos that show readers exactly what to do. The book's more than 20 patterns-everything from blankets to mittens to a man's necktie-appeal to hip, modern crocheters.