Craft Bloggers in Books: A List

The other day I was in Twin Falls at Barnes & Noble and there in the craft section was The Crafter's Companion!  I quickly turned to see my contribution and got a huge smile on my face just thinking, "Wow, look at me, here I am in Barnes & Noble looking at a book with pictures of my stuff in it!   Who woulda  thunk?!"  When I started blogging three years ago it never even crossed my mind that opportunities like that could happen so it really is quite a thrill for me.  Just seeing the whole DIY/craft movement become more mainstream has been exciting so I wanted to create a book list to reflect that.

Here is a list of craft books that are either written by craft bloggers or have contributions from craft bloggers, either way they all began with a craft blog:

The Crafter's Companion edited by Anna Torborg      Seventeen craft bloggers (including me) talk about their crafting life and have contributed a pattern for various craft projects along with instructions.

Softies: Simple Instructions for 25 Plush Pals by Therese Laskey   This book is available for pre-order and will make it's appearance September 6th.  I just know it's going to be wonderful.  I've contributed a pincushion pattern in this one.  For more info you can go to Terry's blog Softies Central

Pretty Little Pincushions from Lark Books   Available November 1 but you can pre-order now.  I have three pincushion patterns in this book.  It sounds like it's going to be great.

Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol   Of course you know Ms. Angry Chicken - you can find more of her wonderfulness here.

Plush-o-Rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults by Lark Books   Plush creators have contributed lots of fun patterns and designs for wacky creatures.

Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne These ladies are two-of-a-kind to be sure - their blog is here

The Crafter Culture Handbook by Amy Spencer plus contributors

Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee of Yarn Harlot fame

Doodle-Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners by Aimee Ray   See her blog and lovely work here.

Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split by Laurie Perry of Crazy Aunt Purl

Anticraft: Knitting, Beading, and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister by Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart of Anticraft.

Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects by Betz White Thanks for the heads-up on this one Anna. A great title - Betz's blog is here.

I'd be happy to add any others to this list just as long as the book began as a blog.  I've also created a Listmania! list on Amazon for this one called Craft Bloggers in Books.  Enjoy!

Comments

[sally]

This is a great reference list. Thanks for sharing. It must've taken some time to put it together!

[kate]

shannon okey of www.knitgrrl.com just wrote a really fun sewing book for Chronicle (www.chroniclebooks.com). It's called The Pillow Book and coming out next spring - going to be beautiful!

[Scoutj]

I love seeing you in that book too~

[corine]

I just discovred the pictures from the last post and am VERY envious!

[ellen kelley]

I'm not sure where this book (s) recommendation would fit in, but Faith Ringgold writes/illustrates beautiful books for children. She also has a book (adult) titled Dancing at the Louvre...story quilts. It's magnificent!

[Rachelle]

What a fabulous list of must-have books!

[Mama Urchin]

Larissa of Stitch Marker (http://larissmix.typepad.com/stitch_marker/) has a book coming out sometime soon.

[liz elayne]

thank you for this list! i am knee-deep in a crafter's companion and can't wait until bend-the-rules sewing appears at my door.

and now i have more to add to my hope-to-buy-soon list.

[miguette]

*making my birthday wishlist as we speak*

[Rachael]

oooh I have the Crafters Companion, and Bend the Rules should be arriving any day now. I have also preordered The Softies book and Warm Fuzzies.

Did you see Alicia Paulson from Posie Gets Cozy also has a book - it's not released until fall 2008.
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2007/06/yep_me_too.html
It's called Stitched Souvenirs: 30 Simple, Special Things to Sew

[Scribbles & Bits]

My shelves are about to get even more crammed! ;)

[Kirsten]

Thanks for the heads up on all of these books - I will have to check them out!

[Kay]

The Crafters Companion is so fun --also it made me feel like a cool kid that I 'knew' so many of the contributors from their blogs and online shops.

In my opinion it should be an annual publication!

xoxo Kay

[Emma]

I was just thinking it seems now nearly every day I noticed yet another book a blogger writing, or submitting her work to, so thanks for compiling them all in a handy list! Will be very good for my crafty inspiration but not so good for my wallet hehe

[Jesse]

Thanks! This is really interesting. I'll be buying some books soon....

[valentina]

Thank you Cassi! I had been thinking about making a list like this, so i don't miss out on buying some good books that i can trust. Thanks for doing the work.

[Clare]

Thanks for this post, I enjoyed reading it very much. I got the Crafter's Companion for my birthday and I love it. I had specifically asked for it and I have so enjoyed reading about all the contributors inspirations and workspaces. :)

[annavsxs]

Here's another I am looking forward to: Betz White's Warm Fuzzies

[clarice]

Cassi, I would have jumped up and down and ran around the store and showed everyone I was in the book. As a matter of fact I am temped to go down to my local bookstore and brag I know you (well sort of know you, but that is good enough for me) ;-p
xoxoxo Clarice

[jenny b harris]

what a great idea! Thanks for compiling a list for us. There are several on there I didn't know about!