Molly's Sketchbook: Spring Craft Books

Spring, thankfully, is just around the corner and the change in weather strikes me as a great time to get inspired by some new craft projects!  We have a handful of exciting new books that don't fall into our standard knitting, crochet or sewing categories, but instead are in their own fun and creative "craft" category.   Here is a little run down of some of the titles I'm most excited about. 

Dyes from Kitchen Produce: Easy Projects to Make at Home by Setsuko Ishii is a very inspiring new book that features 30 beautifully photographed projects that are hand dyed using common kitchen equipment, vegetables and spices. For instance the bag in the photo at the top of this post is from this book, it was dyed using onion skins.  I am really excited to dig into Setsuko's book because I have always loved the soft, pretty look of natural dyes but I've always thought it was too hard to do at home.  This book promises to demystify the process.

Respect the Spindle is really lovely. It's an intro into the wide world of spinning using the amazing yet simple drop spindle. It's perfect if you've always wanted to spin but were intimidated by spinning wheels because it makes the whole process a lot more elemental. This book has step by step instructions and photographs so it is perfect for even the novice spinner!  (By the way, we have spinning fiber too - you can find it here, and drop spindles too - you can find them right here).

Silhouette Art is fun book and kit exploring a lot of great silhouette based projects. It comes with everything you'll need to make awesome paper silhouette cut outs that can be used in a variety of projects, like ornaments, jewelry, wrapping paper and more. This would be a great book to familiarize yourself with before a family reunion!

Every Day's A Holiday is a sweet new book from Heidi Kenny, the creator of the fun blog My Paper Crane and it features a whole year's worth of amazing crafting projects for children. There are simple things for kids to make themselves and more complicated projects that parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins can all participate in together.

Aranzi Aronzo's new Cuter Book is simply adorable. I love the pictures of all it's merry menagerie of felt creatures, each one accompanied by an extremely easy pattern appropriate for sewists of all skill levels. This book's bright photographs and whimsical sense of humor make it a true favorite at Purl Soho. It's the kind of book you might just want to have around for inspiration, even if you don't sew yet!

Happy Crafting! --Molly

Comments

[Tapping World Summit 2011]

Those books sure looks interesting!

[Luisa]

Oh how fun I'm particularly interested in the last 2 books. Thanks for sharing.

[Amy Menges]

Oh, I'd love to look through the book on dyes. In high school, I went through a phase of dying wool yarn with any plant material I could get my hands on in the kitchen or in the garden and in the woods out back. Very earthy of me (it was the 70's). In fact, I still have my 1974 catalog from Earth Guild/Grateful Union company. I just can't seem to part with it because there's still good information in there and it's such a testimony to the time period. Peace man!

[Jillian]

I would love to get my hands on the kitchen produce dye book. I bet I could plan some really cool lessons with it!

[Daria]

I was just wondering which craft book I'll gift to myself for my birthday... thank you for these pretty suggestions!

[Dana]

Oh what a coincidence! I was just at my local library and I picked up Respect the Spindle, because I have a kit that a friend got me a few years ago and I wanted to pick it up again. I had a go at it, but never felt very comfortable. Respect the Spindle looks like a great guide and I'm excited to explore it!
Also, the kitchen dyeing book looks like fun too!

[Rachael]

I am so glad that you included Respect the Spindle in your post today! I think it is an invaluable book, especially if you are new to spinning (even if you are wheel spinning it is helpful). Also I didn't know you carried spinning fiber and spindles! Wonderful!

[elsa]

I've been wanting to try my hand in dying, however, don't want to use any dye that's bad for the environment. Dyes from Kitchen Produce looks like the book I need! Thanks so much for sharing the review!

[Val]

I love that book on kitchen dyeing, but I'm certain I don't need to find even one more crafty interest! I might just have to break down and check this luscious looking book out...

[bb]

I have been using onion skins to dye my easter eggs. They are beautiful. Also used spices(tumeric works well), beet juice anything I could think of to use a dye - had fun and lovely eggs. But the onion skinis are the nicest. I collect the skins from the gorcery onion bins - always free. Keep the red skins apart from the brown ones the after using them alone I combine them for another effect.

[moni]

when will the dye book be available in your store? thanks.