Crafty Side Note III: Banned Books Week

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It's the middle of Banned Books Week 2008! Are you celebrating? The library where I work has displays of books from the most frequently challenged list in both the adult and teen areas. This list is assembled by the American Library Association. In addition to the display, the teens have a scavenger hunt they can complete in order to be entered into a drawing for a prize. I helped write the scavenger hunt, which was pretty cool, and I've been stocking up the adult display. This all got me to thinking, and here's where the craftiness comes in. There aren't any crafty books on the list! This probably means people don't realize that there are smutty craft books out there. Or maybe it means that not enough people take offense to smutty craft books. Or maybe it means that people can decide for themselves whether or not a book is appropriate. Whatever. So, just for kicks and giggles, I present my list of potentially ban-able crafty books:

(Please note: I've never used any of these books, so I can't vouch for them.)

  1. Stitch 'n Bitch series (including S'nB Knitters Handbook, S'nB Nation, The Happy Hooker, & Son of Stitch 'n Bitch) by Debbie Stoller

  2. AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading, & Stitching for the Slightly Sinister by Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart

  3. DomiKNITrix: Whip Your Knitting Into Shape by Jennifer Stafford

  4. CharmedKnits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter by Alison Hansel

  5. Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

  6. No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights by Amy R. Singer (clarification: naked lady on the cover, plus the title mentions HEMP, which we all know is marijuana)

  7. Naughty Needles: Sexy, Saucy Knits for the Bedroom & Beyond by Nikol Lohr

  8. Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns & How-to by Jenny Hart

  9. Sensual Knits: Luxurious Yarns, Alluring Designs by Yahaira Ferreira

  10. Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic & Lingerie-Inspired Designs by Joan McGowan-Michael

  11. Punk Knits: 26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls & Independent Spirits by Share Ross

  12. Not Your Mama's series (including Knitting, Crochet, Stitching, Beading, & Felting) various authors

  13. The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano and Auxy Espinoza

  14. The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Perkins

  15. Sewing with Nancy books (OK, so I added this because it's something the Partner-in-Crime probably wouldn't mind banning for real.)

There seems to be an awful lot of trashy knitting books out there...not such a wholesome pastime, is it? That's why I'm not a knitter. *kidding* Again, I'm not too familiar with some of these books. I have seen a few of them as I peruse the shelves at the local Barnes and Noble and because of my many craft-book related purchases, almost all of these books pop up as recommendations for me from Amazon.com.


Betcha didn't know how much smut is out there for crafters!

Comments

ASLTerp said…
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October 2, 2008 at 4:34 PM
ASLTerp said…
My opinion is that people don't realize that there are smutty craft books out there. Seriously, just say the word, "crafts." You can't help but think of wholesomeness when you think of crafts. You think of yarn and glue and popsicle sticks. Maybe some embroidery floss and a hoop. Or some little old ladies with a bag of knitting sitting on the floor by the rocking chair. No room for smut in those preconceived notions of craftiness.

As an aside to my previous comment: Mom, I suggest that you do NOT go to the Subversive Cross Stitch website.

As another aside regarding my previous comment: Mom, I don't even know what some of those words on that Subversive Cross Stitch site mean, let alone ever think of creating a cross stitch sampler using them.
October 2, 2008 at 4:40 PM
The Snicklefritz said…
Speaking of smutty craft books, yes, the partner-in-crime and I did give his youngest sister The Happy Hooker for Christmas. I should clarify that, really, the only "smutty" thing about that book is the double entendre title. Oh, and perhaps the crochet bikini project.

Honestly, I picked the books on my list based on their titles and not their content. So, indeed, I was judging a book by its cover...
October 2, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Jennifer Perkins said…
I swear Naughty is not a bad word. The projects in my book involve plastic garden gnome necklaces and bracelets made from Cracker Jack charms. Not a bad word or project to be found I promise.
October 7, 2008 at 3:38 PM
The Snicklefritz said…
Ms. Perkins (or may I call you Jennifer?),

I really meant no harm in compiling this list, so I hope that none was taken. I'm sure that there a few books on the list that quite innocent, like yours. As I mentioned, I mainly picked these books by their covers and titles. I am ignorant of most of the content (an aside: I think many people who try to challenge and ban books are ignorant of the content or ignorant of the author's intention).

I actually got a kick out of your title. Does one need to be a secretary in order to partake of the craftiness? If so, then I'm covered! (Although, I am a church secretary, so maybe not too much naughtiness?) :o)

Thanks again for stopping by my silly little crafty blog. Again, I'm sorry if I offended you in any way.

-The Snicklefritz
October 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM
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