AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister [Paperback]

Renee Rigdon (Author), Zabet Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2007

Knitting, beading and stitching projects to make - or not. Whatever.

If you would describe your favorite crafts as supercute" - no, let us rephrase: If the idea of handcrafting the most nauseatingly adorable plush bunny you've ever seen sets your heart atwitter - feel free to stop reading. We'll understand. Really.

If you're still reading, you may be cynical and fed up with syrupy crafts as we are. (Huzzah!) For you and your likeminded AntiCraftspeople, we have hand-selected twenty-five projects from the most talented crafters you'll never find in the mainstream (whatever that even means). Behold:

• Creations your goody-goody little sister will roll her eyes at, including snake-motif thigh-highs and a duct-tape corset.
  
  
  
  
• Tips and sidebars to celebrate (with as much enthusiasm as any of us can muster) your delightfully dark nature, including suggested mood-enhancers (soundtracks, movies, etc.) for making each and every item.
  
  
  
  
• Basic techniques for knitting, crochet and jewelry-making virgins - complete with step-by-step photos to save you from the embarrassment of asking that annoyingly perky coworker for help.

Join us in the AntiCraft movement - where self-expression, no matter how socially unacceptable, is given a scalpel and room to operate."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An avid seamstress, Renee has been designing knitwear for eight years. Her work has been published in Stitch 'n Bitch Nation and she has been teaching knitting, crochet and beading classes for the last two years.

Zabet is a lifelong artist and has been writing poetry, songs and short stories for more than a decade. She has been designing knitted objects for the last five years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (November 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600610307
• ISBN-13: 978-1600610301
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars i'm keeping this one November 20, 2007

By Kyle Cassidy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd pre-ordered this book after seeing the authors at the 2007 New York Book Expo -- how two human beings could be filled with so much awesome I'm not sure. I'm not a beader, or a stitcher, but I know plenty of slightly sinister people and thought this would be a perfect gift. Well, it arrived today and the result was far better than I could have imagined. Not only are there instructions for knitting slightly sinister pirate hats, constructing corsets out of black duct tape, sewing wiccan dresses, crocheting stuffed rats, and the like, but there are absolutely stunning photographs with each -- not Sears catalog photos but truly sumptuous (and slightly sinister) fashion shots by the extremely talented al parish, AND the authors are ... magically hysterical. The book design is engaging and gorgeous and includes a section in the back with step-by-step instructions on how to knit, crochet, bead, and, most importantly -- make chain mail. Plenty of people on my friends list will be getting copies of this from me, but I'm keeping this copy for myself.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Knitting, crocheting, and beading with a gothic twist! December 21, 2007

By Jacquelyn Gill VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I've been disappointed with craft books that claim to be quirky, different, or non-traditional; often, the patterns are downright silly, or are for items I can't see myself needing (like a knitted paperweight, or a crocheted beer cozy). Anticraft delivers exactly what it promises! Finally, an "alternative" crafting book with patterns I'll actually make (and want to keep more than give away!).

It would be impossible to review this title without commenting on the book's format. Anticraft is almost as much fun to read as it is to make the projects within - the gothic themes are expressed with a dark and irreverent design that at first might seem as though it detracts from the patterns. It's important to remember that Anticraft is more than a book of projects; it's a way of life, in a way. Each project includes "mood enhancers," which include anything from classic poems to theme-appropriate songs. Designer biographies and little bits of expository writing (on anything from pagan holidays to pirates to throwing an anticraft party to recipes for sinister gatherings) add color to the book, and don't at all feel like filler material.

But the patterns! My wardrobe contains little in the way of black, but I found a lot to love in Anticraft's projects. Personal favorites include the Snake Dance Thigh Highs (super cute for work or play), Skyla (a squid-shaped menstrual cup cozy for those off weeks), the Apothecary Tote (a crochet bag with poisonous intentions), the gorgeous Tree of Life and Death beaded bag, and the cross-stitch graffiti project (where you tag one of those hideous cross-stitch wall hangings with some stitiched graffiti). Proper goths will love the duct tape corset, the chainmail chandelier earrings, the crocheted flogger, and the two-headed amigurumi rat.

Patterns are clear and easy to follow, and accompanied by useful tips. For those that don't know how to crochet, knit, or bead, helpful step-by-step instructions are included in the back of the book (with photos!). Refreshingly, there is balanced number of knitting and crochet projects as well. Sinister or no, Anticraft would make a an excellent addition to any crafter's collection.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT December 3, 2007

By CrochetQueen

Format:Paperback

I just received my pre ordered copy and words really can not do this book justice but I will try. Before I even started looking at the patterns, I was immediately reading and although I do not know these two personally I would like to, they are full of character and fun. Now on to the patterns, skulls, earrings, corset, hat, wheel of the year, and more. I am actually thrilled with the layout of this book and again the sense of humor contained in these pages is well worth the read. Grab yourself a copy, you won't be sorry and the first thing I want to make is the wheel of the year skirt. Oh I almost forgot, there are thanks to the academy (this really cracked me up).