December 11, 2005
NEW MILLENIUM DIY
Remember when, not too long ago, knitting underwent a sea-change in style, and all of these exciting urban knitting books came out with weird and actually wearable patterns, but now, let's face it, knitting is supertrendy, and maybe you don't quite like it as much because of that, the way that you can lose the special feeling for a once-obscure favorite band after it becomes the next hot thing? Well, ardent crafter, lucky for you and me, an abundance of new do-it-yourself manuals published this season evidence an updated style and sensibility for crafts of all manner. These hip how-to manuals can make awesome presents for crafty types. Better yet, if you're super cheap and/or broke, like me, buy a DIY book, make hellof presents from the suggestions therein, and then give the book as a gift. Audacious, to be sure, but these are skinny times.
Bazaar Bizarre: Not Your Granny's Crafts! by Greg Der Anian, $16.95
No longer must you translate the country-kitchen aesthetic of the library's ancient quilting guides in order to produce the patchwork blanket of your perverted dreams. Just open to the Trashy Quilt pattern in Greg Der Anian's awesome and wide-ranging new craft book. True to the do-it-yourself ethos of non-expertise, clear and well-layed-out directions render these projects entirely do-able. The only question remaining in your mind will be which project to make for your beloved, the cross stitched horsey pillow or the heartshaped coin purse?
ReadyMade: How to Make (Almost) Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer, $25
The craft geniuses at ReadyMade Magazine have finally collected a generous number of their good ideas into a beautiful book, with hardware-store sex appeal in content as well as design--the sturdy cardboard cover is offset by a handsome, mustard-yellow ruler fashioned over the spine. Sorted by materials--paper, plastic, wood, metal, glass and fabric--the projects range from wearable things to items for the home and yard. My personal favorite: the hubcap fountain, a shiny, spirited addition to any yard or deck.
Making Stuff & Doing Things: A Collection of DIY Guides to Doing Just About Everything Compiled by Kyle Bravo,
$12
Wrapped in a perfect-bound cover are zine-y, hand-written and drawn pages, divided into a bunch of splendid categories like Direct Action, Gardening and Fun & Entertainment--a section which, charmingly, includes directions for a magic trick. Many perfectly gifty ideas are listed in the Arts & Crafts section, including a tape wallet, rubber stamps and block prints. You can even go out on limb, learn to make beer in the "Food and Drink" section and then give your weird brew to friends. Making Stuff even includes DIY pet care tips for animals and the people who love them.
posted by Amanda
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