DIY Life

I really like The AntiCraft: even when the projects aren't something I want to make, the site's cheeky attitude entertains me. Maybe you will like it too? It's a free online craft-zine with lots of projects, but instead of being sunny and trendy, it's goth all the way, with a lot of mordant humor and projects with skulls on them. Their slogan is "Macabre Craft Snobbery."

This is a cool site, but it's definitely not for everyone: adult language is often in full effect (man, check out that breakfast tray project -- or don't, if swearing offends you); some people just won't be into the vibe, which is both punky and pagan. From one point of view, there's something there to offend almost anyone, so I think many of our more conservative readers will probably prefer to skip this one. But other people might be pleasantly surprised by some of the nifty stuff that qualifies as "goth, punk, or pagan" in the minds of the site's contributors.

They have many interesting projects, and if you don't like the "theme" of a project, you can almost always use it as a starting point for something more mainstream... i.e., you can make the Skull Lariat without skull beads, if they aren't something you'd wear. Many of the projects have no particular theme at all, like the Painted Lady mini-sweater from the current issue. Projects from past issues that may have a wider appeal include Seven-Ten Split, a knit bowling bag (which also includes photos of a green-and-white version), the beautiful Vinnland knit socks, an intricate crocheted lace choker called Asphyxiation, a beaded necklace called Henry VIII's Wedding Gift, and A Maiden's Glory, a lovely knitted leafy crown.

The Anti-Craft has been around for a while: there have been eight issues so far. The current issue, Lughnasadh 2007, has a bunch of late-summer projects. The site publishes seasonally, according to the old Irish calendar: Samhain (winter), Imbolc (spring), Beltane (summer), and Lughnasadh (autumn). A book, titled Anticraft: Knitting, Beading, and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister, will be released in November.