Customer Reviews

Jan Messent's Knit a Fantasy Story (Search Press Classics)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Somewhat resembling dollhouse-size Waldorf dolls, the knit creations from this book include miniature people, fairies, animals, mushrooms, and even trees and buildings! The book is divided into three sections: a farmyard, castle, and fairy-inhabited forest, with applicable projects for each. A combination of three books, the farmyard book is not by Jan Messent, so the figures are slightly different than the castle and fairy figures. Finished projects are suitable for older children and adults.

Sadly, it's possible the book will never become as popular as it should be in the U.S., because the projects use various needle sizes between 000-3 (US), and very fine wool yarn. These products aren't commonly available here (even though they should be!). Also, the authors sometime leave detailing/finishing instructions out. While experienced knitters will be able to finish projects without "nitty-gritty" instructions, these would have been nice to include for beginning knitters or people who want more specific directions.

Despite these factors, the projects in this book are extremely original and awfully cute. My hope is that more knitters will discover this book, and that more stores will offer the materials needed to complete the projects. As it is now, crafters will likely need to special order items needed.

I am pleased to see this back in print. I have always regretted parting with my original 1980's hardback copy. Those new to knitting will find some interesting projects at all skill levels in this book, while knitting experts will find both projects and inspiration. I used the basic ideas in this book -- and a LOT of imagination and planning! -- to knit my then four year old daughter a Barbie doll house. Don't expect to find very fine and fiddly petite flower fairies in this book; it is full of items with which children and adults can actually play. My daughter and I created many memories, her choosing the items for me to knit, making up stories about them as we progressed. Use it as inspiration for your own creations, or follow the instructions in the book. Whichever you decide, let your imagination roam free, and have fun.

I am a great fan of Jan Messent, who like EZ is a notable contemporary knitter included in Richard Rutt's "History of Handknitting." I think she deserves to be better known in the US. This book is issued by the original publisher of the out-of-print and often-sought "Knit an Enchanted Castle." In addition to ALL THE PATTERNS in the Castle book, it also includes the content of "Knitted Gnomes and Fairies" by Jan Messent, and "The Knitted Farmyard" by Hannelore Wernhard, rewritten by Jan Messent and with new drawings, according to the copyright notice. I compared the book with my copy of "Enchanted Castle," and all the book's patterns are in the new one, although they appear in a sometimes different sequence, integrated with the patterns from the Gnomes and Fairies and Knitted Farmyard books. As I don't have copies of these last two books, I can't say whether all of their patterns have been included in the new book (my guess is that they have, like the Castle book), but this is a great book and a bargain as well. It has good directions, diagrams, and is printed in color and well edited--not full of typos like so many new books. I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and whimsy.
There is now an American designer who does the kind of whimsical designs that Jan Messent does. Susan B. Anderson's "Itty-Bitty Nursery" is also available from Amazon and has charming designs for a garden mice mobile; a clothesline with miniature knitted garments pinned on it; a cupcake tea set; dotted chickens; and the three pigs, the wolf, and the three pigs' houses. Knitters interested in Jan Messent might also like to check Anderson's designs.

This book has some very cute ideas, but if you need step-by-step instructions, you will be disappointed. The patterns give very few exact stitch counts or material requirements. Instead, you are given ideas to get your own creative juices flowing and use bits and pieces that you might have left over from previous projects. So for the advanced knitter, it is a fun book.

But if you are just starting out, I would suggest you try patterns from Alan Dart or Jean Greenhowe. They are both awesome designers with super-detailed instructions.

So 5 stars because it is a very nice collection of previously hard-to-find patterns. The book itself is lovely, full of pictures showing farmyards, castles, and fairy-inhabited forests. Just a note that you will need to do some figuring on your own, and that your project will be uniquely yours.

Wonderful fanciful stuff!
What little gal wouldn't love all of these cute characters!
WARNING! Must LOVE to knit with very small needles and finger weight yarn!
This will keep a fast knitter busy for a long winter!

LOve this book as well as all her others. If you love to make little things, and love to be creative- this book is over the top fun.Great book for inspiration!

I really enjoy this book. It's a great community project for a school group, headed by an experienced knitter or two. There are easy projects and pieces for novice knitters, stuff for intermediates, and really nifty complicated things for the advanced knitter.


You do have to use 000 needles (available at any good local yarn shop, by special order, or online) and sock yarn. Tiny stitches, but the projects are small, too, so they are still quick!