March 7th, 2012
Vintage Inspiration for Busy Hands
Last month I went thrifting for the first time in a while, and found the first six books in a set of craft books from the early 70’s. Each book has all different of crafts in them, from knitting and sewing basics to completely elaborate projects and they’re one of the most definitive craft series from their time. When I brought them into the studio I realized that Leigh-Ann had a number of the matching Golden Hands magazine binders filled with the specialized topic magazines that they published!
I’ve been knitting a lot lately, but I haven’t been crafting as much as I’d like and I couldn’t pass by such a complete set of inspiration. Looking to the past is one of my favourite ways to learn new techniques and see how other people have used a common skill in different ways. Take a look at some of the projects…
Why limit your love of crochet to lampshades & blankets?
Crochet your home’s insulation for a truly handmade touch! ;)
While I’m definitely skipping some of the projects, I love that just exploring these books will keep me busy for hours and that they’re the start of a new collection. Anyone have a #7 they want to part with? :)
Oh my god! I am so glad I stumbled upon this post. I have all the volumes of Golden Hands back in India. My grandmother and aunts were avid needle workers (is that even a word?) and the set was their bible.
Macrame and tie dye….like, wow! take me back to the ’70s. So much fun!
Thrift-jealousy alert! What a cool series of books you found! I bet they come in handy when looking for some craft inspiration!
Wow, they look great, jealous!
Oh, I’m jealous, what an amazing find! I’m sure you are going to have so much fun with that.
Oh my goodness, I love that butterfly! I would die if I found something like that thrifting. How cool.
I love old craft books, they are so beautiful and intrigueing. Not like some zooped up idea thats trendy. Did i just say zoop? :| but they are about the hands on skill/craft often :) love learning techniques.
Barnicles .
these are at the studio? I have to take a look!!!
When I tried to read the book spines in the first picture, I read it as “Golden Hounds” and thought they were some kind of dog books. :)
I do love vintage craft books though. I have one from the seventies, I believe it’s Good House Keeping’s Complete Guide to Needlecraft. Along with the basics, it covers crafting techniques I’ve never even heard of. Great resource!
Ha! Let’s be honest, I would probably be just as excited about a series from the 70’s called Golden Hounds. I imagine it as a lifestyle book, full of turtlenecks, sunken living rooms, dogs and their owners!
…Actually that sounds like it would make an amazing tumblr! lol :)
What a great find! I wish I could find those. I’ll have to keep my eyes out ;)
70’s crafts love it. I can macrame. That seems very 70’s to me.
That is the epitome of 70’s crafts! There are more than a few *huge* macrame projects in these books- you would be in your element and could definitely show me a thing or two :)
I love this! Vintage crafting books can be so much fun to peruse!
I love finding older crafting/building books when thrifting. I have several on building your own furniture and many more on building outside children’s play scapes. We’ve actually used those to build our own play areas in our yard for our kids…they love the simple wood structures made for fun and imagination. But I digress…these crafting books look super fun! I’d love to pour over them and choose new things to create. I’ve never seen or heard of this catalog…I’m betting it’s Canadian? Congrats on the find. I hope you locate book 7.
Their sunny yellow spines alone must look happy in your home.
btw, I adore your pictures and blog. Your vibrant blog header always makes me smile when I come here.