Customer Reviews

Craft: Transforming Traditional Crafts, Vol. 1

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Craft is a well-written mix of articles and projects. Those who are involved in the online crafting community will recognize many of the projects and crafters profiled. There is an interview with Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching fame, an article about strange handmade toys, and projects ranging from silk-screening to chainmail to hard cider. I love the mix of different types of crafting, it helps expose us all to intereting things beyond our usual range of interests.

I like that they're mentioning things that are e-popular in the articles and profiles, but I'm of a different opinion when it comes to the projects. Several of the projects have been easily available online or through other sources (the knitted boots were the focus of an episode of Knitty Gritty, a show on DIY Network). Of course they're still good projects, but I hope that in the future Craft will stick with showing them off and then pointing interested crafters to either the Craft website or another online source. No, it's not a huge deal. But featuring exclusive projects would keep the magazine a good buy even for crafters who often make things from online sources.

My only big complaint is the cover. If you're making a crafting magazine, the cover needs to be devoted to one of the projects you'll be providing instructions for. The main reason I ordered Craft before getting to check it out in the store was that I desperately wanted the pattern for a Jess Hutchison knitted robot toy. Featuring Hutchison robots on the cover along with the text "stitch a robot" makes it seem like Craft will include those patterns. But unfortunately, the toy robot project that's included is a crochet pattern by a different designer. Sure, the crochet robot is cute, but a knitted robot cover on a magazine with no knitted robot patterns is a disappointment.

Mostly I want to respond to the person who complained about not having a pattern for the cute knitted robots on the cover. I totally agree, first of all. But I emailed the editor, and she explained to me that Jess Hutchison had agreed to provide a pattern for the robots, and pulled out at the last minute. So if someone in this scenario is lame, it's really Jess, not Craft. (Jess has decided not to share her patterns anymore, which is of course her right, but I still think pulling out at the last minute was a mean thing to do.)

Anyway, I like the magazine, but I am still looking for what I had hoped it would be -- a hip, cool knitting/crochet magazine. I swear, I'm starting to think I'll just have to publish one myownself.

Pros:
* More interesting projects and "non-project" aritcles than Ready Made.
* I disagree with the reviewers who want more step-by-step how-tos... The editors trade inspiration for instruction a few times, to me this shows that they are assuming I am a creative, crafty type
* Healthy mix of "things I would like to try" and "who has all these materials laying around?"
* Lots of online resources, links, and advertisers--I like me some web surfing
* Great companion to Make, and I really appreciate that it doesn't scream "girl version"

Cons:
* Someone else already mentioned this, but it is a HUGE miss that the Jess H. robots on the cover aren't in the mag. I mean, come ON.
* Small format is good for carrying around, but this isn't really the type of mag that needs carrying around. Give me a bigger format and more diagrams
* Should come out more often!

I was so excited when I heard this magazine was coming out. As good as a magazine like "Ready Made" is, it skews a little too techie and industrial for me - I was wondering when a high-quality magazine devoted to indie crafting would appear. And I am not disappointed in this result. (Full disclosure - I have since contributed a piece to the CRAFT website.)

I love how packed CRAFT is with features and tidbits on the indie crafting world, plus a bunch of cool projects. Other reviewers make the point that some of this stuff is available on the web, but the fact is (for me at least) it can be hard to hone in on the good stuff on the web - there's a lot to wade through out there, some good, some bad, and it's scattered all over the place. I'm thrilled to have a yummy, colorful print mag with an appealing sensibility give me the editorial scoop on what to look for. I can't wait to settle in with it and savor every page.

Also, in reference to another review, I happen to be acquainted with Jess Hutchison, and want to say (with no malice) that while you're certainly entitled to your opinion about the absence of the robot pattern (whatever the real story is there), I feel the need to pipe up that she is anything but lame. Jess rocks.

I agree with the poster below, what a rip off! I have been searching all over for the Jess Hutch booklet, and when the cover of this magazine showed the knitted robots and also the banner "Stitch a Robot," I figured I would pick the magazine up just for that... let me tell you when I turned to the page and it was a totally different robot that was CROCHETED, which I can not do... I was very dissappointed.

Total waste.

This is a magazine for craft aficionados. The smaller size is perfect for crafters on the go and the paper stock and printing show that the creators care about details. The layout is clean and contemporary and the articles are short and sweet. The projects are innovative with simple instructions that even a beginner could follow. Even the ads are worth looking at in this fantastic addition to crafting culture.

Trying to find a simple but practical gift for someone can prove difficult. Craft magazine has proved to be a blessing as everyone that I have sent it to loved it. Sometimes they pick a project and do it or othertimes they get inspired to go do their own project. Craft is the sister publication to Make magazine which is also published by O'Reilly Press.

Love everything about this publication. The non-standard smaller size, the lovely heavy paper, the layout, illustrations, fonts, and the projects. If you surf crafty blogs and craftster, you'll see projects and contributors you recognize.

The first issue of CRAFT is scrumtralescent! I can't wait for more! The ideas are fun and inspiring and make me want to get my craft ON. (Plus, I love the small, take-it-on-the-bus size.) Hurray for this great addition to the world of craftiness!

I was blown away by this innovative and captivating design and craft magazine. I am an all-around designer, artist and crafter always looking for my next obession. There were awesome ideas in here for any level of skill and really unique and cutting-edge things as well. I am hooked!