Crafts

Macramé is back, and whether you’re new to it or you’ve been knotting since the 1970s, you’ll enjoy the terrific styling and photography and the clear and easy-to-follow instructions in Modern Macramé. If you’re still unsure of this “new” trend, spend a little time with this book; its range of projects runs from those that are easy to make to those that are ambitious. - Megan

Not just for crafters, Alanna Okun’s essays about life as a independent woman in the modern age are written from the heart. She explores timeless subjects from learning to live with yourself (literally and figuratively), to body image, facing fears and anxieties of all kinds, and (of course) fitting knitting and what it is to “be a crafter” into everyday life. Alanna is relatable and interesting, funny, and thoughtful. I like her and I think you will, too. - Megan

Want to dive into the Instagrammable world of embroidery but feeling like a basic stitch? Grab this book for a super approachable guide to everything you need in your sewing kit to create sassy, #resist-ready masterpieces. The beautiful photos, easy-to-follow instructions, and ready-to-go patterns will turn you into a crafty superstar. - Kelly

With essays on travel, family, good food, and (of course) knitting, Clara Parkes’s second collection of essays, Knitlandia, proved to be a wonderfully entertaining ride around the world of knitting. In A Stash of One’s Own, Parkes uses her love of knitting and her writer’s sensibility to compile her next installment of essays by new and old crafters, from favorites like Amy Christoffers and Kristine Vejar to fine newer voices. - Megan

Carve modernizes a mindful hobby that people have turned to for generations to help them slow down, relax, and connect with the outdoors. Using just a tool or two (a pocketknife and a gouge), readers will learn how to whittle 12 small objects, from a coffee spoon to a pair of dice, that take just a few hours to finish—and in the process carve out a little peace and quiet for themselves. A super stylish, irresistible gift for DIY enthusiasts!

Slow Knitting is beautiful enough to leave out on your coffee table to pick up, whether you have ten minutes to read a few pages or a few hours to get started on your new sweater. It has everything a good knitting book should: dreamy photography, detailed yarn profiles, thoughts on building a cohesive wardrobe using slow fashion, and terrific patterns. - Megan

Seeing the slow fashion movement gain momentum and popularity over the last several years has been a source of joy in my life. Few crafters out there embody the lifestyle of slow fashion better than Natalie Chanin of Alabama Stitch Book. Her new book is peppered with detailed shots of gorgeous garments and samples of a variety of hand-embroidered stitches, from the beautifully basic to the incredibly complex. - Megan

Love fashion but feel guilty about contributing to dye-polluted rivers and sweatshop labor? This book is a cute and concise guide to conscious fashion—how and when to buy, how to properly care for clothing, and ideas for renting, swapping, recycling. It’s your pathway to out of the fast fashion trap that values quantity over quality. - Natalie

There is no book I am more excited about this season than You Can Knit That. Amy Herzog is my IKBFF (Internet-knitter best friend forever) and she never ceases to amaze me with her ability to use new details to bring interest to the simplest designs. This book is perfect for an ambitious beginner, a first-time sweater knitter, or an advanced knitter who just wants a book full of perfect patterns.  —Megan

Amy isn’t the only one in the Butler family with quilting chops! You’ll love these projects, made from large swathes of fabric big enough for a little instant gratification (as much as a quilt can lend itself to instant gratification) but interesting enough to keep you thinking. Just playing with color and fabric choices will multiply your quilting possibilities. Try Project 14 (Bullseye Quilt) in neutrals or monochrome for a modern feel, or go with rainbow for a fun color wheel! This is sure to be a new favorite on your bookshelf.  —Megan