Hobbies & Crafts

Computer hacking takes on a whole new meaning when you're going at it with a screwdriver and hammer: announcing the most wildly inventive, eco-friendly craft book on repurposing everyday objects since Generation T. Except in this case the raw material isn't a T-shirt, but the stuff we all have lying around and have no idea what to do with, or even how to get rid of properly—your old cell phone, a broken printer, irredeemable iPod, busted digital camera, mysterious thatches of cables and wires, orphaned keyboards, and of course, those dead PCs and laptops.

Created by a Parsons design graduate who’s obsessed with navigating the intersection of art and technology, here are 62 ingenious projects that are irresistibly geek-chic. An iMac Terrarium—how cool is that? A laptop Digital Photo Frame. The impressively green Scanner Compost Bin. Plus a power strip Bird Feeder, Walkman Soap Dish, My First Squiggle Bot, Qwerty Hair Tie, Flat-screen Ant Farm. Each project has complete, step-by-step instructions, is rated by difficulty—in a thorough first chapter the author covers all the tools and skills needed to take apart electronics safely—and is arranged by use, from stuff for the house, to fashion, toys, arts and crafts, items for pets, and more.

The Art of Knitted Lace is the perfect primer for everything you need to know about knitting lace every day—whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced knitter. In her introduction, designer Kristin Omdahl leads you through knitted lace basics, including tool tips, chart reading guidelines, terminology, and, of course, knitting instructions.

With the 35-plus projects that follow, you'll learn to make a wide variety of useful, beautiful garments, designed by our best-loved authors and knitters. Put some romance back into your life with the Casablanca Silk Stockings. In more of a fashion-forward mood? Try the Hamptons Dress or Lacy Cap-Sleeve Bolero. If you need more lace in your everyday life, try your hand at the Raspberry Rhapsody Scarf or the Little Shells Socks. Whatever the season, whatever the reason—make it in lace!

Featuring projects and designs from Lisa Lloyd, Annie Modesitt, Phoenix Bess, Berta Karapetyan, Melissa Matthay, and others, this timeless collection of designs will have you coming back again and again. Isn't everything better with a little touch of lace?

Ordinary folks can construct 13 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple-a match-powered rocket-to the more complex-a scale-model, table-top catapult-to the offbeat-a tennis ball cannon. With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind the projects, and profiles scientists and extraordinary experimenters such as Alfred Nobel, Robert Goddard, and Isaac Newton. This book will be indispensable for the legions of backyard toy-rocket launchers and fireworks fanatics who wish every day was the fourth of July.

Fall in love with beading

Add a romantic twist to your creative time with Beaded Allure. Inside you’ll find projects and techniques to give your beadweaving the soft and romantic aesthetic you’ve always dreamed of. Author Kelly Wiese will lead you through the ins and out of variety of stitches, and you’ll use those stitches in 25 stepped-out projects.

• 10 beadweaving stitches and techniques detailed enough for beginners, yet still a great reference for more seasoned beaders.

• 25 projects have detailed instructions—including clear step-by-step photos—that beaders of all skill levels can complete.

• Easy to find tools and materials means you can get started today creating these beautiful necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Let Beaded Allure bring out the romantic in you.