Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the Magic of Knitted Felt with 25 Easy Patterns

While I have been knitting for 20 plus years, I have never tried the craft of felting, so I went hunting for felting books. I wound up choosing Knit One, Felt Too by Kathleen Taylor, and I am very glad I did! There are several felting books on the market, but this one covers all the bases, and covers them well, in an easy, readable style. You can tell that Ms. Taylor has actually tried all the tips she has written about, and she happily shares her mistakes as well as her successes. The first section, "Honey I Shrunk Your Sweater" gives you all the technical information you need to felt your first project, told in an entertaining style that makes reading through all of the steps enjoyable. One of the things that impressed me in this section was all of the information on trouble shooting your project. I was nervous about knitting something specifically to felt. While I knit because I love to, I also knit for results - I love to give, wear or display my knitted items in my home. The idea of spending hours and hours knitting up something beautiful, only to ruin it in the felting process (which Taylor points out is not an exact science) gave me the heebie-jeebies. After all once, something is felted, it can't be unfelted! But reading this section showed me the possibilities - if something doesn't come out exactly the way I plan it, well there are ways to fix it or turn it into something else as long as I keep an open mind. And that I can live with. The balance of the book is a series of patterns, divided into sections on bags, hats, slippers, and home décor. All of the designs are stylish, with a contemporary feel that will avoid having you look as if you raided Good Will, or shrunk something by accident. While I personally don't love the color palette all of the samples were made in, the patterns are fabulous, and one can always change the color. The pattern directions are meticulously written out, so most of them will be suitable for a beginner as well as a more experienced knitter. Finishing instructions were also excellent, and there is also some information on how to clean your felted items once they are finished and in use. All in all, I think this is a great book. Every question that popped into my head while I was reading was answered somewhere in the following pages, and I don't say that about many books. I also liked the mini-features on women advancing the art and craft of felting, and enjoyed looking at the photos of their work - it sort of gives you something to aspire to. Mary Beth Temple is the writer/editor of the web site All Info About Knitting.

I have been knitting for over 15 years, but this year's Northeastern Winter has made me try felting. I purchased Felted Knits first and was in love, then I found Knit One, Felt Too. This is the first book I have actually taken time to read the introduction and background on felting. It is really a well thought out and well written book. But the hook is the patterns, they are all very simple, yet fantastic to do. The book uses only 2 different sizes of needles and the yarn is easily found. What more can you ask? Its great for beginning knitters and experienced ones. Kathleen encourages you to branch out and try different color patterns and accessories than what she uses.This book should definitely be on every knitter's shelf.I love it.

Knowledgeably written by knitting expert Kathleen Taylor who has contributed more than 500 articles and reviews to craft magazines, Knit One, Felt Too: Discover The Magic Of Knitted Felt With 25 Easy Patterns offers an impressive series needlecraft patterns for accessories one can create with knitted felt. These wonderful patterns require nothing more than wool yarn, simple stitches, large needles, and the opportunity to place knitted pieces in the washer in order to turn them into fabulous felt creations. Full color illustrations enhance the meticulous row-by-row instructions, in addition to a wealth of handy tips filling the pages this easy-to-follow guide to a new style of treasured handmade needlecraft creations.

The ideas and projects are amazing. If you like inspirational eye-candy that makes you want to run out and get some supplies - this is the book for you.When it comes to good instructions and real-life experience in the variable nature of felting, it doesn't dissappoint at all. The information is presented in a factual way, and the cautions she warns about don't come off as preachy. Even if you don't make every project in the book, the photography is wonderful, you can see the effects of using the yarns as she reccomends. She includes some embellished items as well (beads and felt applique adorn some projects). Its a great book, I think it would be a wonderful addition for any knitter's library!

I thought Felted Knits was the only book I needed on felting.Then I came upon this book.The projects are fresh and clean looking.The designs are inspirational.I will actually make things from this book.