Crafts Hobbies Books

As a kid my dad gave am Popular Mechanics compilation from the 30's. They had projects that were amazing and challenging. My dad and I a ball building stuff out of this old book. This is the same sort of book.

My hubby requested this book for his 55th birthday and really enjoys it.As soon as he's done with his current remodeling project,he'll probably start on a project from this book.

This is an interesting read if you enjoy old books and are a do-it-yourself type person, but it's not good if you are hoping for some old type projects to do. The articles don't seem to be quite detailed enough to actually build most of the items and a lot of the projects are simply lame. No "boy mechanic" would be interested in doing a lot of these today. I guess some people were more easily entertained back then.

Interesting example of the material available to boys in an earlier era, but if you're a much older boy looking for nostalgic things to build, this book does not produce usable plans. There are much better books available.

I found a lot of interesting things in this book. I think it is a great reference for any parent that has boys and enjoys spending time with them with projects that capture their attention and curiosity.

The thing is that this book is full of even more unappealing patterns than the last one. I do not want to knit wrist-warmers. My husband would never wear a sweater that makes him look like a try-hard punk, nor does he want a skull sweater. I am not interested in eyelash yarn slippers that look like monsters, nor do I desire a cell-phone cozy. We are not even that stodgy. We like stuff that is handmade and kind of deconstructo-chic. This book's trying so hard to be ironic, bless its little heart...but it dates itself so much. Reading this was like watching that you tube clip on the hipster olympics. Honestly, though, a knitted bikini? A belt? Really? Spend your time on Ravelry and you will be MUCH better served.

I loved the first Stitch and Bitch, so like a mindless fan, I skipped right out and bought this Stitch 'n Bitch Nation book... the patterns are ridiculous though and I feel like they're only good for pulling out elements to assemble your own Frankenstein type design that you might actually wear. Plus there are all kinds of wacky things going on with the project directions, all kinds of errata that it's crazy. It also struck me that a lot of the models just didn't pull off the designs either. So watch out for this book! I'm glad though, it taught me to check out the next ones from the library which I feel really helped with the Son of Stitch n Bitch (it sucked even worse).

For whatever reason, when I bought this book online it was only three bucks. So I thought there was no way I could pass it up. I'm glad I bought it because it taught me how to tweak a pattern in order to use any type of yarn I want. I know I should have been able to figure out how to do this anyway, but I couldn't. Thanks Debbie, now I can use yarn I can afford to knit cool looking things.

This is the last knitting book I buy without first seeing a good amount of the patterns before I purchase it. I had seen somebody's newsboy cap from SNBN and I really liked it so I took the chance and bought the whole book from amazon, thinking that the other patterns would be decent at least, right? Very wrong? Now I'm not some no-style, middle-aged mom or anything - I'm in my mid 20's and consider myself pretty damn hip. It's just that I don't want to make the monster slippers, crocodile gloves, Henry Rollins doll, flame sweater, or knitted bikini. These aren't cool, or even hipster ironic, they're just stupid and tacky. Not all the patterns are this over the top, but all of the others are just kind of boring and standard. After reading other reviews, I can agree that the book is poorly made as well. Mine was separating at the spine when I got it.

My advise is to check this out at the library before making the purchase. A couple of "OK" patterns, but not something you may want to have in your collection.

Watch out for the Lucky Clover Lace Wrap - it's not very lucky. The pattern has significant errors for the fronts and sleeves and Debbi Stoller's website has corrections which still aren't correct!! I can't get any response from Debbi Stoller or Melissa Wehrle (the sweater designer) to correct the corrections! Also the Felted Furry Foot Warmers pattern also has errors. There could be mistakes in the other patterns too. Knit at your own risk!!!

I love this book. The color pictures and step by step instructions of the needle felting techniques are wonderful. I really don't understand the negative comments. The projects are imaginative and interesting. I don't use a book to copy projects either, but rather as instructional to apply to my own ideas for crafts. The directions are clear and concise. I'm not a beginner and believe the author did a great job with her book. As with any craft book, not all the projects may be your 'style' but there is plenty to learn on all levels. As someone already said, for the nay-sayers, use the Search Inside tool next time! I highly recommend the book.

The adorable animal party picture on the cover inspired me to purchase this book. However, once I received the book, I was disappointed in 90% of the other projects. Many of the other projects are apparel related, but the pictures show items that would only be worn by a 4 year old or a 98 year old grandmother. For example, one project is to make a felted ring, and the end product looks like a giant easter egg. Who wants to wear an easter egg on their hand?

On the plus side, this book is a better guide for beginners. The author explains basic needle felting techniques, and has a list of sources for supplies and wool. For this reason, I am glad that I purchased this book, but I will not keep it in my library... this book would be a great one to borrow, read, then pass along to a friend.

I totally disagree with the negative review. I love how original the idea's are, I have already made the pin cushion and have taken the advise of the tip and have made a few other seasonal ones. If you are just starting to needle felt or have been for awhile I still suggest this book. It will take your imagination into a whole new direction. Good Luck!!!!

I was a little nervous about getting this book because I knew I'd never be able to make the little dolls on the cover, but I'm so glad I took a chance and ordered it anyway. The instructions on how to needle felt in the book are great. I bought a beginner's kit awhile ago and was ready to learn more and this really looks like it will be all I'll need. There are some really nice things in the book that I can't wait to make - coasters, a woven basket and felted fruit. There are a few things that are kind of on the "funky" side, like jewelry I'd never wear, but there are plenty of really practical things that I would make for my house or to put on clothing. I think this would be the perfect book for anyone who wants to try needle felting.

A admit it. I was a little skittish about getting this book because of one of the so-so reviews that was posted. So, I decided to check it out from the library first. Well, I MUST get my very own copy ASAP. The book is perfect, in my opinion. There are tons for clear color photos and concise, easy-to-follow instructions. The author has a wide variety of projects employing different needle-felting techniques, and I can't wait to try them all. In addition to the adorable creatures featured on the cover, there are projects to make a stylish handbag, an embellished scarf, a really cool rug (I fear it would cost a fortune to make it, but it IS stunning), and really pretty flowers.

I've never tried needle felting before, but I'm eager to try it after reading this book.

I really liked the illustrations, because they went so well with the words. It is written just the way I remembered Fall when I was younger. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys nature and ever jumped into a pile of leaves.

I am a new beader, so this is new for my growing library of beading books. The projects look to be well explained and seem to go from beginner to advanced beader. I would recommend it to beginners especially.

I ordered both this book and another jewelry book and I waited for it to arrive and after it was a week late I called and talked to a customer service person who was extremely helpful. She immediately sent out a replacement order which arrived within 2-3 days. I was very happy with the service I got in fixing the problem. I just received the 3rd book that was not available when I ordered the other 2 books and it just arrived ahead of schedule. I had only ordered from Amazon once before and again had great service and received the book very quickly. I will use amazon to order other books that I cannot get localy as long as the service continues.

Excellent book for a beginning "beader" like me! Great instructions are enhanced by clear illustrations!

Pedestrian is a lot better word for this book than brilliant. These are very easy projects that can be found in many other books. Most of the appealing pieces were for reference only, meaning there were no instructions. Also seed bead sizes and thread lengths are given in metric measurements, not six, eleven, fifteen, etc. for seed beads and inches or feet for other measurements. The one bracelet I did make had a mistake in the directions, but the diagrams were accurate and I was able to finish the bracelet. It was a disappointing piece, that I would only be pleased with if it was the first thing I ever made. So once again, I have added to the large collection of bead books I own that got great reviews and turned out to be a major disappoinment. I am cancelling the second brilliance book.

The book has clear instructions and figures that are easily followed. I made a few things as quick and easy Christmas presents and they were a hit....but, I was mislead by the cover photo. Every photo you see has instructions in the book except the one I bought the book for. It is the one on the front cover, third photo from the left. I was VERY disappointed the instructions for that project were not actually in the book!

Monique~Albuquerque, NM

I thought this would give me new ideas for binding and finishing but it is all about machine quilting and doesn't really add anything to what we know.

This book opens you up to think of different ways of doing things you've done before. The photos are wonderful!

I've been quilting for little less than a year, and have been intimidated by anything more difficult than straight lines , squares, and rectangles. I thought I'd buy this book for future reference, but found myself enthralled by the gorgeous designs, and the apparently straightforward instructions. I look forward to trying some of these new ideas. Valori Wells includes includes complete instructions for a bunch of lovely quilts.

I am relatively new to quilting, but come from an art background and really enjoyed looking at these quilt designs. A little more tuition in parts on acheiving the quilting effects could have gone a long way and it is definately a bit "edgey" for the traditional quilter. I found the "piecing" approaches worthwhile and really appreciated the circles and curves sewing and piecing tips.

If you have gone past or are ready to try something beyond block quilts and simple line quilts this is a good book for that next step. I have always admired the innovative and really creative quilts. What I liked about this book was the simple basic designs and how she made them spectacular with the fabrics she used. What I especially liked were the quilts using circles. This has always intimidated me, but her easy to follow steps on page 51 were really useful. What really makes her quilts "pop" is the quilting used to enhance the quilts. I think this is the "Stunning Finish" that is part of the title. I have not tried paper piecing yet, but think I could really do it with the instructions in her book. The photography really shows the quilt details, all in full color and the instructions are also colored to make them easy to follow. Would recommend this book.

Too many conceptual bracelets, If you want to see metal been use, this is not your choice

It's an incredible book. I think it's a source of inspiration for beginners and advanced jewelers.

I love this series from Lark! It provides me with lots of inspiration and it is a wonderful tool to learn new artists and their work. I have almost the whole series!

The images in '500 BRACELETS' are nothing short of inspirational.

I like the format that Lark Books has chosen for this book and their other '500 Series' books. The Book contains full page pics of the most contemporary, cutting edge jewelry one can find. Very few words are used, and the viewer is left to enjoy the images and let the art speak for its self.

If you are a student of art or a working artist this and other books in the '500 series' are a must for ideas, inspiration, and just plain enjoyment.Those with just a casual interest in different medias and crafts will also enjoy this book.

My professor is very recommendation this series becouse this book is many originality bjects. And I order several 500 series in korea. Um..I'm very satisfy.

I have a lot of kids art books. This one actually has activities that we really want to do.

I have a three-year old daughter with whom I wanted to explore arts and crafts. I looked at many different arts and crafts books before choosing this one to buy. Many other books that I looked at had projects that had complicated instructions or used materials that were expensive. I needed a book that I could pull off the bookshelf, open up, and pick a suitable art project quickly. Little Hands has realistic projects- by that, I mean projects that are meaningful, uncomplicated, and use basic materials that you're likely to have around the house.

I work with special ed preschoolers and this book was very helpful in planning art projects with the kids. The instructions are clear, the ideas are fun and there are pictures of what the finished product should look like. I would highly recommend this book to anyone working with young kids; teacher or parent

My 5 year daughter and I have been having heaps of fun creating the art in this book. While my 2 year old son has an afternoon sleep we can complete one of these activities. The materials are mostly household items and the rest are easy to come by. It's very well presented with easy to follow steps. It's got all the old "classics" - paper dolls, papier-mache, spoon puppets and the egg carton caterpillar. A much better way to fill in an afternoon than her watching a movie while I clean the house!

I haven't seen it for sale in Australia and am very glad to get it from Amazon.

We love it!

This book is perfect for your little ones. My 2 1/2 year old daughter loved the crafts we have already done out of the book. I also work with children as my job and also at my church. I highly recommend this book to all you parents, grandparents, Aunt & Uncles, All care givers, and even the expecting parents. A+ Book.

The book is very helpful for a beginning knitter with pictures and simple steps to learn the stitches. The seller packaged the book very well and it arrived promptly with Book 1.

Both books, "The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch and the next one with the same title, except it is for The Purl Stitch, are the quintessential books for anyone who wants to learn either or both stitches. This is to get the knitting of the ground with the right attitude and the right tips, at the right time! I have been knitting for many years, both with a machine and by hand (which is still my favorite way of doing it!!) but both books had some tips for me that I never knew or thought of! If any book can do that to an somewhat experienced knitter, do you know what it will do for a novice? Even the patterns that both books contain are such that you can sit down and DO them as soon as you open the books!!

Although The Purl Stitch, by Sally Melville, is a straightforward knitting book giving, clear concise instructions, throughout the book there is a spirit of fun and playfulness. The teaching method is to present several basic techniques in a chapter and provide knitted items (usually sweaters) that use these techniques. Each pattern is introduced with a short description of how or why the author came upon the pattern and a photo of the garment. And unlike many of the current "coffee table" type knitting books filled with beautiful though sometimes deceptive photography, the lion's share of the pictures here are devoted to demonstrating technique and displaying finished garments. In either the left or right hand border of the page the author lists the pattern "Vitals" which include: size and type of needle; swatch requirements; yarn amounts; sizing; level of pattern difficulty; type of fit and; knitting notions required for garment completion. This simple device allows you to see at a glance what you'll need to complete a garment. In addition to photos of the item, you'll also see a schematic of the garment with its final measurements. At the end of each chapter the specific techniques which are the chapter's focus are demonstrated via photography and text. All in all this seems like a very smart way to teach knitting.

Much has been said in these reviews about the patterns and, I agree that many of them are pretty standard classics. I must admit, however, that they are the type of casual sweaters I enjoy knitting, wearing and giving as gifts. Also I feel pretty comfortable making yarn substitutions with such basic patterns and like many knitters, I have a considerably yarn stash to play with.

I learned to knit many years ago and have been knitting seriously for the past 12 years. Through this book I've discovered many new techniques and have gotten a better understanding of ones I've been using for a long time. Through her patterns and instructions Ms. Melville introduces you to the adventure of knitting and it's easy to understand why she's named this series The Knitting Experience. This is a knitting book to have in your library, no question.

When The Purl Stitch came out I bought it right away. I was eager to try something new.Reading the book is as important to me as trying the patterns. The examples are challenging and fun to wear.

A good book for beginners to intermediate. Lots of good directions.

Some nice patterns. The patterns are very spelled out. Easy to follow.