The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but between tree trimming and caroling, open houses and navigating the mall, December can also be the most stressful month of the year. That’s where your trusty CrafterNews editors come in. Here we present the first annual CrafterNews Holiday Gift Guide, filled with ideas for great books to give as gifts to the crafter in your life.

Whether you’re looking for a present for a classic type who likes straightforward designs, an indie rocker who showcases her wares at renegade craft fairs, or a busy mom (or mommy-to-be), we’ve got the perfect books to give this holiday season. We’ve even got suggestions for bright, trendy designs to appeal to the most finicky teen crafter and stylish, runway-ready patterns for the cosmopolitan crafter.

As if that wasn’t enough, our friends at Potter Style, makers of gorgeous stationary, journals, and other paper products, have included their holiday picks for stocking stuffers and small goodies to accompany our beautiful craft books.

For more gift ideas, check out BooksEqualGifts.com,

For the Classic Crafter

You cherish simple but beautiful patterns, clear instructions, and simple designs: no frills, sparkles, or ribbons for you (well, maybe a few ribbons). You are willing to put in the effort required to learn a new technique, and whether you’re a knitter, a sewer, or a jewelry maker, the crafts you create are as timeless as they are meaningful.

Books

• The Sewing Bible by Ruth Singer (Potter Craft, $35)
A complete course on sewing—from threading a needle to couture hemming—packed with tutorials, patterns, and projects.

• The Knitter’s Book of Wool by Clara Parkes (Potter Craft, $30)
What is wool? Who makes it? Which yarn do I use? Everything you need to know about wool, from pasture to pullover, from the beloved author of The Knitter’s Book of Yarn.

• Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Crafts by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living Magazine (Potter Craft, $35)
With instructions, descriptions, and templates for more than 30 techniques, this A-Z guide can be read page by page and kept as a lasting reference.

• Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas by Agnes Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel, Muriel Brunet, Francoise Ritz (Watson-Guptill, $24.99)
Decorate pillows, duvets, aprons, curtains, and more over a thousand colorful motifs and project ideas

Stocking Stuffers

• P. Allen Smith’s Container Gardens Deck: 50 Recipes for Year-Round Gardening by P.Allen Smith (Potter Style, $14.99)
Beautify your home with 50 recipes for year-round gardening from the television host and bestselling author.

• Create Your Own Paper Quilt Cards by Sandra Lounsbury Foose (Potter Style, $22.95)
Using mix-and-match sticker quilt pieces, create beautiful cards that take the “work” out of patchwork!

For the Indie Crafter

On a typical Saturday night, you’re as likely to be found rocking out at a grungy dive bar to your new favorite band as you are hosting a stitch n’ bitch session at your place with your best friends. Retro and vintage inspired patterns, unusual materials, and innovative techniques will help you help you stand out in any crowd.

Books

• The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Gifts by Leah Kramer (Ten Speed Press, $17.95)
You won’t find die-cut teddy bears and cross-stitched friendship plaques in this hipster collection of crafts from Craftster.org founder, Leah Kramer.

• Polymer Clay Cookbook by Jessica Partain and Susan Partain (Watson-Guptill, $16.99)
From sushi to pretzels, cupcakes to cinnamon rolls, make tiny food jewelry to whip up and wear. Complete with recipes so that you can also enjoy the edible versions of your new accessories!

• Photojojo! by Amit Gupta with Kelly Jensen (Potter Craft, $21.99)
Turn your forgotten photos into ingenious photo projects—lampshades, temporary tattoos, cupcake icing, voodoo dolls, and more!

• HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs by Trond Anfinnsen (Watson-Guptill, $22.95)
Knit up a funky hat for everyone on your list—plus learn how to customize your own hat patterns!

Stocking Stuffers

• Alice in Wonderland Note Card Book (Potter Style, $16.95)
Jot down news of the curiouser and curiouser on dreamy note cards that evoke the topsy-turvy world of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland.

• Bend the Rules Gift Labels by Amy Karol (Potter Craft, $12.99)
From craft phenom Amy Karol, gift labels that say what you really think—goodbye “Warmest wishes,” hello, “I made you this, just so you know—so don’t say anything mean about it.”

For the Teen Crafter

Sure, you could give your teen the latest “it” bag, an expensive pair of earrings, or a gift certificate to her favorite store at the mall. But what about a gift that will teach her to create her own unique jewelry, cell phone charms, handbags, and clothing, months into the New Year? She’ll have everyone in the hallways talking and texting about her…in a good way!

Books

• Clay So Cute by Sherri Haab (Watson-Guptill, $14.95)
Packed with instructions and teen friendly projects like mini-cupcake charms, robot key chains, Japanese-style animals, and more!

• Refashioned Bags by Faith & Justina Blakeney (Potter Craft, $19.99)
Upcycle ordinary household items including old sweaters, umbrellas, and shower curtains into fashionable (and eco-friendly!) handbags and clutches.

• Kilobyte Couture (Watson-Guptill, $18.95)
Make your own unique and surprising jewelry using recycled computer components—geek has never been so chic.

• It Girl Knits: 30 Fresh Styles for the Young and Fabulous by Phoenix Bess (Potter Craft, $19.95)
Youthful, cool projects like Fingerless Gloves, Beaded Bandana, Capri Leggings and more—this isn’t your Aunt Mabel’s knitting book.

Stocking Stuffers

• Cupcake Sticker Note Cards (Potter Style, $12.00)
Customizable cupcake note cards make unique birthday cards and sweet greetings everyone will savor.

• Hue Are You? Deck: A Deck for Discovering Your True Self Based on the Dewey Color System by Dewey Sadka (Potter Style, $16.95)
Discover your true colors with this fun and remarkably accurate personality test that goes beyond language.

For the Cosmopolitan Crafter

Chic and sophisticated with a flair for globe trotting, you gravitate toward patterns that look as luxe as haute couture. The runways and red carpets of Milan, Paris, New York, and Hollywood are your inspiration as you search for styles that will have your friends asking, “Did you get that at Neiman’s?” Only you’ll know that it’s all DIY, but don’t worry—we’ll never tell.

Books

• Twinkle Sews: 25 Handmade Fashions from the Runway to Your Wardrobe (Potter Craft, $24.95)
25 fresh, flirty, and customizable styles from Wenlan Chia, designer of the line Twinkle by Wenlan—print patterns from the included CD and create your own couture.

• Haiku Knits: 25 Serenely Beautiful Patterns Inspired by Japanese Design by Tanya Alpert (Watson-Guptill, $29.99)
Simple, modern, and sophisticated knitwear, inspired by the graceful and evocative form of Japanese poetry.

• Simply Stunning Jewelry: A Treasury of Projects, Techniques, and Inspiration by Nancy Alpert (Potter Craft, $24.99)
Gold, silver, pearls, glass, gems…no matter what material you want to work with, Simply Stunning Jewelry has it covered.

Stocking Stuffers

• Par Avion Note Cards (Potter Style, $12.00)
For your next trip, pack your passport and these unique cards inspired by vintage air mail ephemera and antique maps.

• Typographica Pocket Pads (Potter Style, $9.99)
This trio of mini notebooks makes the perfect gift for anyone with a discerning eye for design and impeccable taste.

“For the mommy or mommy-to-be crafter”

Whether you’re preparing for a baby or already waking up to the pitter-patter of little feet, you probably don’t have a lot of free time in your day. A busy mom or mommy-to-be needs crafts that can come together between soccer practices, ballet lessons, and doctor’s visits, or during long commutes. Activities that keep the kids busy on rainy days are always a plus!

Books

• Knitted Critters for Kids to Wear: More Than 40 Animal-Themed Accessories by Jean Adel (Potter Craft, $19.95)
With patterns for hats, mittens, and scarves, you’ll turn your little one into a cuddly kitten, a lovable lion, or a huggable hippo in no time.

• The Expectant Knitter: 30 Designs for Baby and Your Growing Family by Marie Connelly (Potter Craft, $27.50)
Stitch your way through nine months of pregnancy or create adorable outfits for your new little one—you’ll have the cutest baby on the block.

• Magic Books & Paper Toys: Flip Books, E-Z Pop-Ups & Other Paper Playthings to Amaze by Esther K. Smith (Potter Craft, $21.95)
25 projects for simple pop-up books, flip books, magic pamphlets, pop-up maps, and accordions—all can be made by kids with a little help from mom or dad.

Stocking Stuffers

• The Emergency Gift Book: More Than 100 Instant Gifts to the Rescue! (Potter Style, $16.99)
Forgot a friend’s birthday or your child’s teacher’s Christmas present? Busy moms will love reaching for this book, filled with IOU coupons, nifty gift card, and hilarious DIY-on-the-fly novelty gifts.

• Our Family Tree: A Keepsake Journal (Potter Style, $19.95)
Create a beautiful keepsake for your growing brood with this easy–to–use, expandable, and customizable family tree journal.

Categories: Holiday Gift Guide |

Tags: gifts, holidays

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