Customer Reviews

Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm fairly new to wool felting, and this book has provided me with inspiration and confidence. The directions, enhanced by photos of each step of the felting process, are clear enough for a beginner to follow easily. The level of difficulty ranges from simple to complex, depending on the project - this book offers something for everyone.

The sculptures are adorable - perfect for holiday decorating and nature tables. My young daughter loves to play with the sculptures I've created.

I own several of the author's whimsical and beautifully detailed wool sculptures. Her talent shines in this book.

Needle felting is using wool fibers and shaping them to create an object like a butterfly, kitten, rabbit, etc. The basics are wool, a barbed needle and a foam pad, though in the materials section, the author explains in words and pictures that it can be a bit more complicated than that. For example, the basic felting needle is "...a long, sharp, three-or five-sided barbed instrument." (Page 6) Needles come in a variety of gauges and vary in the number of sides and locations of the barbs.

After an introduction that also discusses what to use as a foam pad and the types of wool, the book goes into basic techniques starting on page ten. How to properly "needle," "roll the wool,""making flat shapes," and sculpting are covered in two pages of text and numerous photographs. The photographs, like all the ones in this book are done by Kevin Sharp, the author's husband, and are fairly close in detail.

The patterns begin on page 13 with "Bug Magnets." Patterns for "Bumble Bee" and "Lady Bug" are used with the "Bumble Bee" result much more realistic looking. That is quickly followed with a "Penguin & Chick "pattern, a "Butterfly Pin" one, and a "Bunny" pattern. Each of the twenty patterns in this book ranging from a "Border Collie" (Page 74), to a "Cat" (Page 80) to a "Giraffe" (Page 104) feature a close up large and in color picture of the finished item with detailed step by step instructions along with numerous pictures during various stages of the construction process. They range from the simple such as the previously mentioned "Bug Magnets" to the complex "Mermaid" found on pages 110-117 or the "Gnome Girl" on pages 118-125.

A gallery of a few more pictures, a list of resources and a brief author bio that includes a plug for her website and business brings this 128 page book to a close.

This a fun book full of interesting patterns and techniques and one sure to entertain and enlighten creative folks. The numerous pictures taken by her professional photographer husband add a level of detail and helpfulness to the book.



Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009

This book is very inspirational! The photos are beautiful and the instructions are very clear. I haven't yet made anything, but I know there will be a learning curve. I don't expect my first project to be as gorgeous as the ones in the book, but it won't be because of a lack of clear directions! I am a visual learner and there are lots of pictures so I feel that I will be able to follow along. I also own a couple of the author's needle felted creations and she is a true artist!

This book is terrific. The written directions are very clear, and the clear photographs show each stage. The author's encouragement to adapt the shapes to make animals of your own choice and color scheme helped this novice needlefelter craft some really cute creatures for our upcoming church fair. Highly recommended.

Nothing new here, as there are several books on how to needlefelt animals. This one is a nice big hardcover with large color photos of each step, which is more than some books on this subject offer. There's also a nice mix of animals in here, such as a bat, instead of the "cat/dog/mouse" instructions in other similar books.

The pictures in this book are Great..the best yet ive found on needlefelting..I was quite surprised by how much detail they give for each project....I can jump in and just do any of the animals...they are very nice..with detial..I have 4 of these animal felting books and this one is the BEST.....B.W.

Beautiful, hardcover book. Excellent for beginners, especially (which I am!) Explains different types of needle felting tools and wools/fibers. This book covers just what it says - pets and small critters with a mermaid or two thrown in for good measure. No purse patterns, here :)! Many projects with very detailed color pictures for each step of each project. Starts with easier projects and builds up to small dolls at the end of the book. This book was an excellent confidence builder for a new needle felter, like me - it's given me confidence and skills to branch out and try my own designs.

Last Christmas I met the author, bought the book and also bought a few of her kits for the holidays. Wow! What a fun and creative way to enjoy being housebound during the winter. It's really fun, easy and gratifying to make these little animals for ornaments or for gifts. Even my normally grumpy teenagers enjoyed making the projects. This is also a great thing to do with sick friends while you visit or old friends who can't needlepoint anymore. A wonderful present for young and old.

I have dealt with Laurie before on Etsy and when I stumbled upon this book I just had to have it! It is a really great book all the things you get to make are fabulous! And the price is really reasonable! She comes up with the cutest ideas and her directions on how to make a creature are really simple, easy, and always turns out really cute! I am going to get some more for presents for my friends over the holidays, I will definitely buy more! Keep up the good work!

beautiful color photographs.
Step by step instructions.
Clear instructions.
Great for beginners and experienced needle felters
I highly recommend this book