Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the magic of knitted felt with 25 easy patterns [Paperback]

Kathleen Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

Honey, I shrunk your sweater? Accidentally machine washing an expensive sweater may not be grounds for divorce, but it can certainly boost one's stress level. And who could blame you? Once you had cashmere; now you have felt

In knitting circles, however, knitted felt is extremely desirable. Do a Google search for "felted knitting," and 3,000 sites show up! In response to this growing trend, Storey is proud to offer Knit One, Felt Too, the only book devoted exclusively to felted knitting.

Felted knitting is easy for beginners and is such an interesting technique that experienced knitters want to try it, too. The projects are quick, the techniques are easy, and the results are spectacular: colorful, thick, luxurious felt mittens, hats, socks, slippers, bags, toys, home accessories, and even Christmas stockings that make cool gifts or are great to keep yourself. An experienced knitter and all-around crafter who has written more than 500 articles for craft magazines, Kathleen Taylor teaches you everything you need to know about felted knitting techniques. No matter which project you decide to tackle, your success is guaranteed. Beginners appreciate the simple, quick-to-knit patterns on large needles. Experienced knitters are excited by the magic of the felting process and the beauty of the final productIn addition to featuring bright, fun colors and trendy designs, these projects include dozens of ideas for embellishment, using beads, embroidery, novelty yarns, felted balls, and needle felting.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Many of these 25 patterns will appeal to teens. The thorough instructions and colorful photographs will entice any knitter (and some would-be knitters) to pick up a pair of needles and get started. Teen-friendly projects include colorful hats, beautiful bags, snuggly slippers, and a teddy bear. The illustrated glossary of terms is a great resource for new knitters.
Christine Jones, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

As Taylor notes, it's disconcerting to shrink a sweater in the washer, but if you knit a loose, oversize garment and then shrink it on purpose, you have turned a wool object into felt. But it's not quite as simple as that. Some yarns and some brands felt more quickly, some need a few minutes in the washer, and others require three full cycles. Taylor offers 25 projects, first showing how to knit the item, then how to get the desired look. The projects are quite inventive, from toddler slippers shaped like bunnies to wine bags decorated with grapes. Taylor's enthusiasm combined with the straightforward instructions and eye-catching color photos will entice knitters. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580174973
• ISBN-13: 978-1580174978
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Felting Must Have, January 26, 2004

By 

Elaine P Hamilton (Belleville, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the magic of knitted felt with 25 easy patterns (Paperback)

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.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All of your knitted felt questions answered!, March 30, 2005

By 

Mary Beth Temple (Northern New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the magic of knitted felt with 25 easy patterns (Paperback)

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.

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, December 1, 2003

By 

L. Parker (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the magic of knitted felt with 25 easy patterns (Paperback)

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.