Customer Reviews

AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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).

I have tons of craft books and this one probably has the wittiest style of any. In fact, I think the sidebar commentary is the book's greatest feature for me.

The authors also did a good job of introducing the reader to a variety of crafts; I think it would be a good resource for beginning crafters (of a certain sensibility) who are looking to try out some new skills.

I'm not sure if I want to make a crocheted bull whip or two-headed fetal rat thing, but I'm sure somebody out there does.

I ordered this on the off-chance, and thought it would probably be yet another tome full of quirky stuff I would never make - or worse, more of the grungey badly made stuff that fills so many alt craft books. Totally totally wrong. This is such a cool and beautiful book. There are a bunch of things I want to make here, and I am not a teenager... Yes, there are things I will never make - but perhaps I will actually make them for some other use! I love the arm warmers, and all the different jewellery - this is actually the first time I like crochet jewellery, and the first time I am tempted to get into beading or other ways of making jewellery. Some absolutely gorgeous designs which look like the really expensive designer costume jewellery I spend way too much on... and a cute (not corny) wheel of the year skirt. Some cute bags and other acessories, and a rather tempting duct tape top.... Good buy!

I had this on my wish list for months but was hesitant to buy it. I finally got a look at the book in a store and bought it right away! There are a lot of knitting patterns and I don't knit, but many of them have charts that can be used for one of my other loves: cross-stitch. Lots and lots of skully charts = love. There is only one crochet pattern (for a choker) that I might try, but the duct tape corset, Wheel of the Year skirt, and chainmail earrings are all calling my name. The authors also suggest making the Wheel of the Year skirt as a Phases of the Moon skirt, which is more my speed. The commentary throughout is amusing enough for me to pull the book off my shelf and read it when I just want some crafty inspiration.

My sister-in-law doesn't knit. She does do much craft but knitting and crochet are not things she has mastered. I bought this book for her thinking that even if it was just knitting the background stories and nonsense would make up for it and maybe inspire her to learn. I am so glad I did. This book would probably be Emo-lite - the crafts are not confronting and place a humourous twist on standard images. And it is not just for knitters.
- 8 knitting projects (including long socks, cushions, hats)
- 7 crochet projects (including scarves, gloves, bags)
- 3 sewing projects (Halloween-style Easter eggs, palm-sized owls, a skirt)
- 6 miscellaneous projects (including duct-tape bodice, beaded bag and cross-stitch graffiti)
Included is the standard "how-to knit" and "how-to make chain-mail" pages.
But you don't buy it for the projects. You get it for the humour, the anti-parenting, the lies and tales told to de-mystify.
What a hoot!

I don't know quite where to begin in praising this book! It has a nice (I know, not the word the authors would apreciate.) selection of just about everything you could think of from knitting, beading, sewing, etc. with a few odd bits which include hosting a party right up to advice on child rearing. It is functional and hysterical!

For those of us who are lacking in conventionality Rigdon and Stewart have produced the website and book to cater to our, possibly questionable, needs. My only conflict with this book is where to begin? I want to do it all! Right now! It is unfortunate that I did not recieve this book in time to knit everyone I know an "Immaculate Heart" for Christmas. The Blood Cordial (pg.73) would have come through in a pinch if I hadn't wound up hoarding it all for myself.

As a previous reviewer noted, "this book is a keeper". Having become a devotee of both the book and the website, I can only force everyone I know to get their mitts on this book, log on, and beg the authors for another fantastic follow-up!

So get your Anti-Craft on, or don't.

This unique and savvy book rocks! I highly recommend it for intermediate crafters with a semi-dark sense of humor. This is kind of a spoof on other knitting books, but the patterns, recipes and humor articles are wonderful and wicked. Their good-natured sarcasm had me laughing out loud. Too bad it's already so close to Christmas. I'd like to make the fur trimmed black skull Santa cap. Maybe the squid shaped menstral pad holder will have to do. Or the double snake thigh high stockings. I could go on. I'll have plenty of time until Spring to make a felt Easter Egg decorated with a basket full of beaded eyeballs. LOL. If you love the Domiknitrix book like I do (same publisher) you'll love this book. Cool patterns & projects to knit, crochet, sew, bead + more, great photos, slick graphics & cartoons and a fairly detailed tutorial in back for beginners. Fabulous, like their website.

Not a cutesy craft book, and that's why I loved it! It shows the darker side of crafting, there are no fuzzy bunny slippers or sweet little sweaters with Xs & Os here. We're talking duck tape corsets, snake dance thigh-highs, a squid-shaped menstrual cup holder, baby skully sweaters, eggs with headless bunnies and a chick eating eyeballs. Although I don't plan on making everything in this book, there is definately enough in here to keep me out of trouble for a couple of weeks (especially the Wheel of the Year skirt).