The Gift Guide For Crafters

By Tracie Egan Morrissey  |  December 21, 2010 | 9:00pm
Latest

Here’s our how-to guide for shopping for how-to enthusiasts. Have your crafty friends make their own damn presents using supplies, kits, organizers, and books that make perfect presents for DIY-ers.

Jesus Latch Hook Kit

He is the reason for the season, after all, so why not return to an old tradition with this latch hook kit ($30.09)? Measuring a whopping 30”x36”, it’ll keep a crafter busy for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours on end. While instructions, the canvas, and pre-cut yarn are included, the actual latch hook is not, so you might want to grab one of those, too ($1.95).

Silhouette Art

Although not quite as ancient as Jesus, silhouette art is certainly old time-y enough. This how-to book ($18.95) by Vana Chupp not only breaks down the art of making heirlooms, but it also comes with pull-out papers, color-pattern sheets, silhouette templates, an 8×10 card-stock frame, a vellum storage pocket, and instructions.

Yudu Personal Silk Screener

While a bit pricey at $299 (but on sale right now on Amazon for $173.95!), this kit will enable its user to personalize virtually anything made of fabric, from tote bags to clothing to pillow cases. It comes equipped with a printing machine, mesh screen, emulsion sheet, squeegee, T-shirt platen, platen adhesive sheet, blank ink-jet transparency, and 2-ounce bottle of black ink. (Additional ink colors sold separately.)

Craft Tool Organizer

Minimalist and sturdy, this organizer ($57) is handmade from a single piece of solid alpine spruce (no glue, nails or staples holding it together), meaning it can withstand thousands of stabs and jabs with various scissors and tools.

“Happy Fucking Holidays” Cross Stitch Kit

Using a traditional style for a more modern message, the basic kit ($12) comes with cross stitch fabric, thread, pattern and instructions, while the deluxe kit ($20) also throws in an embroidery hoop and needles.

Kama Sutra Cookie Cutters

With four different positions—er patterns—these cookie cutters ($13.90) will turn even vanilla desserts into freaks on the (cookie) sheets.

Paint-By-Numbers Majestic Unicorn Kit

While the brush, pre-printed 11×14 art board, instructions, and acrylic paints are all included in this kit ($7.69), the splendor must be provided by the painter.

Size Matters Tape Measure

The unironic sentiment of this tape measure ($5.95) is funny ’cause it’s true.

Vintage Office Rubber Stamp Set

This set of eight rubber stamps and ink pad ($14) recalls the days of yore when people would actually conduct business with papers and tangible memos and stuff.

Knitting Needle Organizer

An avid knitter will have needles of all shapes and sizes for their various projects (scarf, dog sweater, penis cushion, what-have-you) so this handmade organizer—available for straight ($29) and circular ($33) needles—with snap closure is great for homebodies or stitchers on-the-go.

Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People

Amy Sedaris’ guide to crafting on a budget ($14.50) is more than just a craft book—its inane, colorful photos (in which Sedaris models as different characters) make it a great coffee-table read.

 
Join the discussion...