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50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt: Patterns and Projects Packed with Lush and Vibrant Colors That You Will Love to Make
Sunflowers are bold and bright flowers that have inspired painters and designers for years. Master knitter and designer Kristin Nicholas grows her own field of colorful sunflowers and now brings the iconic sunflower to fiber life using knitting, crochet, felting, and embroidery. Included are designs for over thirty different sunflower blooms and buds in a variety of sizes, plus eight different leaf and vine designs, and a host of critters who live in a sunflower field—from birds and honeybees, to butterflies and caterpillars—a total of fifty items.
Laid out like the previous books in the series, the book includes all the useful information you need for making the flowers—which needles, crochet hooks, embroidery needles, and types of yarns to use, plus a special explanation of how to choose yarn that felts well. In the "How to Work with Color" section, photographs of actual sunflowers are translated into stitched samples that give the reader visual cues on how to combine colors in their crafting. Organized into knitted and crocheted items, with additional instructions incorporated for felting, the "How-To" section includes full step-by-step pattern instructions and charts where appropriate. The last part of the book features over fifteen projects for using the sunflowers in many and varied ways, from embellishing mittens, to decorating a grapevine wreath to a felted potholder, to making a child’s toy, and more!
Laid out like the previous books in the series, the book includes all the useful information you need for making the flowers—which needles, crochet hooks, embroidery needles, and types of yarns to use, plus a special explanation of how to choose yarn that felts well. In the "How to Work with Color" section, photographs of actual sunflowers are translated into stitched samples that give the reader visual cues on how to combine colors in their crafting. Organized into knitted and crocheted items, with additional instructions incorporated for felting, the "How-To" section includes full step-by-step pattern instructions and charts where appropriate. The last part of the book features over fifteen projects for using the sunflowers in many and varied ways, from embellishing mittens, to decorating a grapevine wreath to a felted potholder, to making a child’s toy, and more!
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Nicholas
19 books4 followersKRISTIN NICHOLAS is a knitwear and stitchery designer who lives in western Massachusetts on a working sheep farm with her husband and daughter and 400 sheep, three border collies, two great pyrenees guard dogs, ten cats, thirty chickens, one guard donkey, and one guard llama.
Kristin learned to knit and sew when she was nine years old. Following her passion for creating, she received a BS from University of Delaware and MS from Colorado State University in Textiles and Clothing. She has worked in the American needlework industry for over 25 years as a creative director and a stitchery and knitwear designer. She is the author of 8 books including Color By Kristin, Kristin Knits, Colorful Stitchery, Kids Embroidery, Knitting for Baby, and more. Her specialty is working with color and she is known as a color expert within the needlework industry. She has her own line of yarn named “Julia”, after her daughter, which is distributed throughout North America by Nashua Handknits (a Division of Westminster Fibers). She has been also been featured as a knitting expert on PBS's Knit and Crochet Now for the three seasons.
Kristin's home and work have been featured in Country Home, Country Living, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knitters Magazine, and many other national publications.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kristi...
Kristin learned to knit and sew when she was nine years old. Following her passion for creating, she received a BS from University of Delaware and MS from Colorado State University in Textiles and Clothing. She has worked in the American needlework industry for over 25 years as a creative director and a stitchery and knitwear designer. She is the author of 8 books including Color By Kristin, Kristin Knits, Colorful Stitchery, Kids Embroidery, Knitting for Baby, and more. Her specialty is working with color and she is known as a color expert within the needlework industry. She has her own line of yarn named “Julia”, after her daughter, which is distributed throughout North America by Nashua Handknits (a Division of Westminster Fibers). She has been also been featured as a knitting expert on PBS's Knit and Crochet Now for the three seasons.
Kristin's home and work have been featured in Country Home, Country Living, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knitters Magazine, and many other national publications.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kristi...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 14, 2014
50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt: Patterns and Projects Packed with Lush and Vibrant Colors That You Will Love to Make by Kristin Nicholas is a collection of patterns for sunflower appliqués and motifs. The book begins with a 22 page Before You Begin chapter that includes an overview of supplies such as knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarns, and other notions; a review of basic knitting and crochet techniques and special stitches used in the book, with both written instructions and illustrations; tips and instructions for felting, stuffing, blocking, and embellishing with embroidery and beads; and an overview of color theory. A gallery of the projects in the book follows, and then the patterns are presented. There are 31 knit and 25 crochet patterns (yes, there are more than 50!), some of which are shown felted. The knitting patterns are written with U.S. pattern abbreviations, and the crochet patterns include both stitch symbols and pattern abbreviations. The Projects chapter includes instructions for transforming the designs into a variety of home decor and wearable projects.
Although the title suggests that only patterns for sunflowers are included, there are actually other types of flowers and leaves, and a variety of creatures you might find in a garden, such as bees, butterflies, lady bugs, and birds. This book is ideal for an advanced beginner or intermediate multi-crafter who loves to make portable projects. The layout is attractive and the large, colorful pictures of each project definitely inspiring you to pick up your needles or hooks.
A free review copy of 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt was provided by St. Martin's Griffin. While I accept free items for review from companies, I do not accept additional compensation for positive reviews. Additionally, when accepting a review sample, I do not guarantee a positive review to the company. My reviews are entirely based on my honest opinions.
Although the title suggests that only patterns for sunflowers are included, there are actually other types of flowers and leaves, and a variety of creatures you might find in a garden, such as bees, butterflies, lady bugs, and birds. This book is ideal for an advanced beginner or intermediate multi-crafter who loves to make portable projects. The layout is attractive and the large, colorful pictures of each project definitely inspiring you to pick up your needles or hooks.
A free review copy of 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt was provided by St. Martin's Griffin. While I accept free items for review from companies, I do not accept additional compensation for positive reviews. Additionally, when accepting a review sample, I do not guarantee a positive review to the company. My reviews are entirely based on my honest opinions.
July 20, 2014
The "50 Sunflowers" book starts with clear explanation of materials. Very good instructions on how to start. It does gloss over the very basics of knitting and crochet so it's not for the very beginners of either one. Felting is mentioned very quickly, just one page. The patterns are pretty but they can look a little childish depending on where they are used. Some can be made more classy with thinner yarn or lace effects. Others, I'd only used in a kids room. Most pictures and examples are quite good. The teddy bear brooch has the misfortune of looking like an alien creepy crawly in the picture where it's pinned on the shirt. The forward picture seems ok. Overall cute patterns, and clearly written. The knitting patterns are all written while crochet has both written and diagrams.
Received in Goodreads Giveaway.
June 24, 2014
I was a good reads first reads winner of the wonderful craft book. I had a chance to look through some of the projects that a crafty person can do. There are lots of projects, many different flower patterns. some of the projects are A summer hat, a baby rattle,lampshade, wall art, washcloth.
as the title says there are sunflowers, to Knit, Crochet,and felting. I liked the bird project myself. this book gives the instructions for each project, what items you will need. lots of great ideas that can keep craft loving person busy for a long while. I intend to share this terrific book with my sister-in-law who loves to knit and crochet. there are some great ideas in this craft book with some fun projects and suggestions. A well done craft book for those who love to crochet and knit.
as the title says there are sunflowers, to Knit, Crochet,and felting. I liked the bird project myself. this book gives the instructions for each project, what items you will need. lots of great ideas that can keep craft loving person busy for a long while. I intend to share this terrific book with my sister-in-law who loves to knit and crochet. there are some great ideas in this craft book with some fun projects and suggestions. A well done craft book for those who love to crochet and knit.
August 5, 2016
50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt is a wonderful craft book. The instructions for each flower are easy to follow. I'm a knitter by trade, and all of the knitting patterns were gorgeous, but the crochet patterns were easy to understand as well. The best part of this book is the end, when the reader is shown different ways to incorporate their sunflowers in their clothing and home. Each of these inspirations also have patterns, so if the reader wants to simply follow the pieces shown in the book, they can.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful craft book to create and add embellishments to other pieces, much like other books by Kristin Nicholas.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful craft book to create and add embellishments to other pieces, much like other books by Kristin Nicholas.
June 19, 2017
I received this book through goodreads first reads for an honest review.
I've been learning how t knit and always wanted to learn how to crochet so this seemed like a perfect book to start with given how small the sunflowers were. Plus the book seemed to have some really cute patterns. Once I opened the book, I was glad to see so many patterns and ideas. This is a great book for those who love sunflowers or just likes to knit, crochet, and felt new designs and items. I cannot wait to start trying out some of these patterns.
I've been learning how t knit and always wanted to learn how to crochet so this seemed like a perfect book to start with given how small the sunflowers were. Plus the book seemed to have some really cute patterns. Once I opened the book, I was glad to see so many patterns and ideas. This is a great book for those who love sunflowers or just likes to knit, crochet, and felt new designs and items. I cannot wait to start trying out some of these patterns.
July 23, 2014
I received a free copy of this through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This book has detailed instructions for both knitting and crochet projects. I liked that the amount for each were split evenly. Many times when you pick up a book that is for knit & crochet it is heavy on the knitting portion. There were many cute sunflower projects to do, but it also included butterflies, birds, ladybugs and more. I am excited to start working on some of the crochet projects. I may have to teach myself to knit because there are very cute knitting projects included in this book too.
This book has detailed instructions for both knitting and crochet projects. I liked that the amount for each were split evenly. Many times when you pick up a book that is for knit & crochet it is heavy on the knitting portion. There were many cute sunflower projects to do, but it also included butterflies, birds, ladybugs and more. I am excited to start working on some of the crochet projects. I may have to teach myself to knit because there are very cute knitting projects included in this book too.
June 22, 2014
I received my 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet and Felt, today. It is a beautiful book filled with good pictures of the flowers one can make and different ideas for projects using them. The instructions are clearly written so they are easy to understand.
July 5, 2014
This books outlines how to crochet, knit & felt flowers for decorations for any number of items - hats, belts, shirts, lamps shades, quilts & many more items. The directions are easy to understand & the pictures are great to help you see what the finished product looks like.
November 30, 2017
There were some really great projects. I loved the variety of flowers, insects, and butterflies. There was a nice range of easy to complex patterns and projects. Loved the hand bag project.
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
November 5, 2014
Finally got a chance to sit down and work through some of the patterns. Great book! Easy to understand directions and filled with pictures. I can see myself embellishing a lot more than I used to! Thank you!
June 24, 2014
This is a lovely book, full of bright photos and detailed instructions. It has plenty of projects from home decor to clothing and accessories.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews