Teen craft books bring arts and crafts to a new generation.
Teens and Crafts
Why should teens try out crafting? No matter what craft you choose, you'll be starting a fun hobby you can enjoy throughout your life. You can even create your own style with handcrafted clothing and accessories. If you're interested in protecting the environment, many crafts involve recycling as you turn everything from place mats to jeans into exciting new projects. Finally, you can make memorable gifts for friends and family members.
But why do teens need their own crafting books? Knitting is knitting no matter what age you are. However, books intended for an adult audience can be difficult to follow; some are designed for people that have been crafting for decades, and others don't appeal to teen sensibilities. Instead of knitted tea cozies, you'll more likely find projects like making your own macrame bracelets, or do-it-yourself henna tattoos.
From detailed photographs for visual learners to projects designed around the latest teen fashions, teen craft books give young crafters just what they need.
Available Teen Craft Books
If you're looking to get a little crafty, check out the following books at your local library or bookstore.
General Crafts
- My DIY: The Stylin' Girl's Guide To DIY Projects--from Sassy Crafts To Thrifty Gifts by Kimberly Potts: Decorate your bedroom and yourself with fun and simple crafts.
- The Crafty Diva's D.I.Y. Stylebook: A Grrrl's Guide to Cool Creations You Can Make, Show Off, and Share by Kathy Murillo: Make soap, lip gloss, cell phone covers, hair ties and over 50 more projects for crafters of all experience levels. The overall style of the book is targeted at tweens and younger teens, but all ages can find something to enjoy.
- AlternaCrafts: 20+ Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make by Jessica Vitkus: With a focus on recycling items around the house, Alternacrafts brings an indie sensibility to its project ideas. Crafts are divided into sections for clothing, the home and gifts.
- Chillin' Trix for Cool Chix: Fab Recipes, Crafty Fun, Mystic Magic, and Super-Cool Quizzes by Leanne Warrick: Chillin' Trix seems custom-made for slumber parties and other gatherings of friends with its mix of crafty projects, recipes and entertainment.
- DIY Girl by Jennifer Bonnell: DIY Girl offers ideas for gifts, clothing and bedroom décor. With a wide variety of projects, there's sure to be something for every taste and ability level, although the more basic projects may not hold the interest of experienced teen crafters.
Sewing and Needlework
- Get Hooked: Simple Steps to Crochet Cool Stuff by Kim Werker: Get Hooked is a basic instructional manual for beginning crochet enthusiasts. It appeals to the teen crowd with youth-friendly projects like a wrist cuff, fingerless gloves, mini-skirt and beret.
- Stuff to Hold Your Stuff by Ellen Warwick: As the title describes, this book will help teens make an assortment of bags, totes and wallets. Fun material ideas make sure the final results will never be boring. Stuff to Hold Your Stuff assumes readers will come to the book with some sewing experience, and it may be necessary to use a sewing machine to get the best results.
- Injeanuity by Ellen Warwick: Give new life to your favorite pair of jeans by turning them into everything from book covers to skirts. Sewing basics are included, along with project ideas. Crafters will need to use a sewing machine to complete the projects in Injeanuity.
- The Hip Handbag Book: 25 Easy-to-Make Totes, Purses, and Bags by Sherri Haab: Make handbags from a variety of unusual materials, including jeans and place mats. Many of the projects in this book don't even require sewing, putting a fun new bag within your reach, even if you've never picked up a needle and thread.
- 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special by Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic, and Ellen Schultz: For the ultimate in recycled clothing, turn old t-shirts into halters, lace-up designs and more cute and trendy styles. The projects are meant to be quick, simple and ready-to-wear.
- Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson, Katarina Brieditis and Katarina Evans: Wash and dry an old wool sweater, and then get ready for dozens of fashion possibilities. Some crafting experience is helpful for this book's creations.
- Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit with 15 Fun and Funky Patterns by Shannon Okey: Read about the basics of knitting, and try your hand at over a dozen projects. Even standard patterns have fun touches, like gloves with a flip-back thumb for text-messaging.
