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Little Felted Animals: Create 16 Irresistible Creatures with Simple Needle-Felting Techniques
Aren’t these the cutest?
• Sixteen meltingly adorable animals
• All the favorites, including cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, more
• Easy to make, great as gifts, toys, decorations
All together now: Awwwww! In Little Felted Animals, author Marie-Nöelle Horvath shows how to make the cutest little miniature animals, using just a few simple tools and some wool roving. Birds, bears, cats, dogs, mice, a fox, a sheep, a seal, and a bunny—sixteen little bundles of fluff in all. Picture all those little eyes looking up at you as if to say, “Thank you for making me!” Then give these critters as gifts, use them as decorations, or arrange them on tabletops.
Beautifully photographed in their natural habitats, these sweet dumplings will melt the heart of every crafter.
• Sixteen meltingly adorable animals
• All the favorites, including cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, more
• Easy to make, great as gifts, toys, decorations
All together now: Awwwww! In Little Felted Animals, author Marie-Nöelle Horvath shows how to make the cutest little miniature animals, using just a few simple tools and some wool roving. Birds, bears, cats, dogs, mice, a fox, a sheep, a seal, and a bunny—sixteen little bundles of fluff in all. Picture all those little eyes looking up at you as if to say, “Thank you for making me!” Then give these critters as gifts, use them as decorations, or arrange them on tabletops.
Beautifully photographed in their natural habitats, these sweet dumplings will melt the heart of every crafter.
64 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2008
49 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 28, 2020
I got a copy of this via interlibrary loan so that I could evaluate whether it would be worth buying for my personal collection.
This begins with a supplies and tips page (one specific item I haven't seen in other books: cotton piping cord), very brief info about wool (mentions combed and carded wool, but does not used the words "roving" or "batting"), and instructions for sewing on eyes. Then there are detailed instructions, with small colored photographs, for three basic body shapes: birds (example used: blackbird), short-legged animals (example used: rabbit), and long-legged animals (example used: cat - I would not have considered this a long-legged animal, but okay).
After that comes the patterns for the various projects. These are always set up the same way: first come the full-page photographs of each animal in the section, then two pages for each project, one with a photograph of the finished project and all the necessary supplies and one with a brief written overview of the steps, a life-size line drawing of the parts and the finished project, and a list of finishing touches you can do to make the final project look its best.
The various patterns included are: a penguin, a polar bear, a baby seal, a blackbird, a bunny, a Chartreux cat, a Welsh Corgi, a koala, a Turkish Van cat, a robin, a brown bear, a fox, a mouse. a sheep, a Dalmatian, and sitting and standing versions of a Jack Russell Terrier.
As far as techniques go, the patterns in this book require only basic needle felting, no flocking. The cotton piping cord is used to add a bit of reinforcement to the legs of longer legged animals - none of the patterns require the use of wire. I just googled cotton piping cord and can already see an issue: the book tells you to choose a "fairly thin" cord but doesn't specify even a range of sizes that might be appropriate.
This book leaves me feeling torn. On the one hand, it features a wonderful range of patterns I haven't seen in other books. I'd like to one day needle felt a rat, so the mouse pattern interested me the most. On the other hand, I dislike the way the patterns are set up, the supplies info is incomplete, and Horvath's designs don't really appeal to me all that much.
I prefer needle felting books that have full-color pictures of the finished project from multiple angles, in addition to life-size images of the various parts. With this book, you get a photograph of the finished project from one or two angles - one photo right next to the pattern (which I do appreciate), and one earlier in the book. I haven't tried making any of the projects yet, and the patterns are simple enough that photos of multiple angles may not be necessary, but I still wish they were included.
The incomplete supplies info is a bigger problem. The patterns each tell you what size and color eyes to use and what colors of wool you'll need, but they don't tell you how much wool you'll need. It boggles my mind that the author didn't think approximate weights of wool were worth mentioning. Newbies in particular will have very little concept of how much wool they'll need to get the projects done - considering the size of some of the drawings, unless Horvath needled the animals pretty lightly, I'm not convinced that the amount of wool shown in the pictures was really the total amount necessary.
I like some of the patterns - the penguins look great, and the bunny and sheep are also appealing. Unfortunately, everything else is a little disappointing. The cats are, by far, the worst ones I've seen in any felting book, and the faces of several of the other animals look off. There's a forward slant to the legs of many of the patterns that make me wonder how well they'd be able to stand on their own.
I might end up getting a copy of this just for the proportions of some of the more usual animals, but I don't find myself really wanting to attempt any of the projects in the book, even the mouse that I was initially so interested in seeing. And it also really bothers me that, if I did want to work on any of these projects, I'd have to guess whether or not I'd have enough wool.
Rating Note:
If I were rating aspects of this book separately, the range of types of patterns would get 4 or 5 stars, the actual designs themselves would get 2 or 3 stars, and the instructions would get 1 star. If I could, I'd give it 1.5 stars, but since I can't, I opted to round down. I'm really surprised that not one other review I've seen has mentioned that the projects don't say how much wool you need.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
This begins with a supplies and tips page (one specific item I haven't seen in other books: cotton piping cord), very brief info about wool (mentions combed and carded wool, but does not used the words "roving" or "batting"), and instructions for sewing on eyes. Then there are detailed instructions, with small colored photographs, for three basic body shapes: birds (example used: blackbird), short-legged animals (example used: rabbit), and long-legged animals (example used: cat - I would not have considered this a long-legged animal, but okay).
After that comes the patterns for the various projects. These are always set up the same way: first come the full-page photographs of each animal in the section, then two pages for each project, one with a photograph of the finished project and all the necessary supplies and one with a brief written overview of the steps, a life-size line drawing of the parts and the finished project, and a list of finishing touches you can do to make the final project look its best.
The various patterns included are: a penguin, a polar bear, a baby seal, a blackbird, a bunny, a Chartreux cat, a Welsh Corgi, a koala, a Turkish Van cat, a robin, a brown bear, a fox, a mouse. a sheep, a Dalmatian, and sitting and standing versions of a Jack Russell Terrier.
As far as techniques go, the patterns in this book require only basic needle felting, no flocking. The cotton piping cord is used to add a bit of reinforcement to the legs of longer legged animals - none of the patterns require the use of wire. I just googled cotton piping cord and can already see an issue: the book tells you to choose a "fairly thin" cord but doesn't specify even a range of sizes that might be appropriate.
This book leaves me feeling torn. On the one hand, it features a wonderful range of patterns I haven't seen in other books. I'd like to one day needle felt a rat, so the mouse pattern interested me the most. On the other hand, I dislike the way the patterns are set up, the supplies info is incomplete, and Horvath's designs don't really appeal to me all that much.
I prefer needle felting books that have full-color pictures of the finished project from multiple angles, in addition to life-size images of the various parts. With this book, you get a photograph of the finished project from one or two angles - one photo right next to the pattern (which I do appreciate), and one earlier in the book. I haven't tried making any of the projects yet, and the patterns are simple enough that photos of multiple angles may not be necessary, but I still wish they were included.
The incomplete supplies info is a bigger problem. The patterns each tell you what size and color eyes to use and what colors of wool you'll need, but they don't tell you how much wool you'll need. It boggles my mind that the author didn't think approximate weights of wool were worth mentioning. Newbies in particular will have very little concept of how much wool they'll need to get the projects done - considering the size of some of the drawings, unless Horvath needled the animals pretty lightly, I'm not convinced that the amount of wool shown in the pictures was really the total amount necessary.
I like some of the patterns - the penguins look great, and the bunny and sheep are also appealing. Unfortunately, everything else is a little disappointing. The cats are, by far, the worst ones I've seen in any felting book, and the faces of several of the other animals look off. There's a forward slant to the legs of many of the patterns that make me wonder how well they'd be able to stand on their own.
I might end up getting a copy of this just for the proportions of some of the more usual animals, but I don't find myself really wanting to attempt any of the projects in the book, even the mouse that I was initially so interested in seeing. And it also really bothers me that, if I did want to work on any of these projects, I'd have to guess whether or not I'd have enough wool.
Rating Note:
If I were rating aspects of this book separately, the range of types of patterns would get 4 or 5 stars, the actual designs themselves would get 2 or 3 stars, and the instructions would get 1 star. If I could, I'd give it 1.5 stars, but since I can't, I opted to round down. I'm really surprised that not one other review I've seen has mentioned that the projects don't say how much wool you need.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
August 20, 2015
I am new to needle felting. The cat I made From the book was my second project. I feel that it had easy, clear to understand directions, with pictures of every step. A lot of nice pictures of completed designs as well. I think it is a great stepping stone for beginners, though if you have more experience it might be too basic with techniques you already know. If you like the looks of the designs though I say go for it.
If you have trouble with needle felting after reading the instructions in this book, I would suggest watching youtube as sometimes it takes seeing someone else do it to make things really click in your head. I would recommend user Maqaroon among others. Don't give up though, as needle felting is pretty easy to pick up and fun!
If you have trouble with needle felting after reading the instructions in this book, I would suggest watching youtube as sometimes it takes seeing someone else do it to make things really click in your head. I would recommend user Maqaroon among others. Don't give up though, as needle felting is pretty easy to pick up and fun!
July 20, 2010
Outrageously cute stuff and the instructions seem pretty clear with lots of illustrations and photos. Will edit when I actually attempt a project though...
ETA: Completed my first project, and it turned out cute but of course not nearly as well put together as the ones in the book. It will take some practice but I am happy enough with the results to keep going.
One tip - it takes a LOT of jabbing to get them as smooth as the photos.
ETA: Completed my first project, and it turned out cute but of course not nearly as well put together as the ones in the book. It will take some practice but I am happy enough with the results to keep going.
One tip - it takes a LOT of jabbing to get them as smooth as the photos.
June 10, 2009
can't wait to try felting some of these critters!
June 27, 2025
This book was okay. I don't know why, but from the cover I expected more from this book. I know you're not supposed to "judge a book by its cover", but I did, okay! And it did not live up to my expectations. I would have liked to have seen more steps in the photographs for each animal, not just written down directions. I work better if I can see the steps. The photographs were real cute though!
September 29, 2018
Wonderful book!!!!! A must for people starting felting animals and getting ideas!!!
This is a easy and fast to read book that teaches you how to make several cute animals. It gives wonderful ideas and tips that can be useful in many projects!!!!
This is a easy and fast to read book that teaches you how to make several cute animals. It gives wonderful ideas and tips that can be useful in many projects!!!!
January 10, 2019
This is a very brief book with only a couple really cool projects. It's worth looking through, especially because the cover is just glorious.
There are better books out there for this topic with better instructions.
I do love that cat though.
There are better books out there for this topic with better instructions.
I do love that cat though.
January 28, 2020
Very pretty book, all of the pictures are pleasing to look at. I really like how well they have all the supplies laid out. Sometimes it can be difficult to know just how much roving to use. This gives a very accurate idea of how much you will need for each piece.
June 23, 2017
Really cute although I didn't try any.
March 18, 2019
Lots to do.
This book has a little of everything. It has all you would want. Easy and precise. Thanks. Love it all.
This book has a little of everything. It has all you would want. Easy and precise. Thanks. Love it all.
January 15, 2023
Great 3D beginner felting book with step-by-step directions and templates to work from.
October 16, 2016
Very informative
As a beginner to felting this book has been very helpful, some lovely animals to make.... Can't wait to get started
As a beginner to felting this book has been very helpful, some lovely animals to make.... Can't wait to get started
September 18, 2016
I like that they are more realistic and not cartoonish. However, of the animals in the book, I am only interested in a few of them. The animals included are the following: penguin, polar bear, baby seal, blackbird, bunny, chartreux cat, welsh corgi, koala bear, turkish van cat, robin, brown bear, fox, mice, sheep, dalmatian, jack russel terrier.
Some animals I would be interested in are:
groundhog, capybara, platypus, komodo dragon, boo (pomeranian with short hair cut), black swan, pony, horse, scorpion, owl, cardinal, elephant, dinosaur, wolf, parrot.
Those are in order, at least the first several, of difficulty, as (I think) the book is.
Animals that I would be interested in, but which may pose design challenges: lobster, squirrel, snail, dragon, ostrich, red panda, narwhal, moose, chameleon, tiger, buffalo
Some animals I would be interested in are:
groundhog, capybara, platypus, komodo dragon, boo (pomeranian with short hair cut), black swan, pony, horse, scorpion, owl, cardinal, elephant, dinosaur, wolf, parrot.
Those are in order, at least the first several, of difficulty, as (I think) the book is.
Animals that I would be interested in, but which may pose design challenges: lobster, squirrel, snail, dragon, ostrich, red panda, narwhal, moose, chameleon, tiger, buffalo
June 20, 2024
I haven't done as much felting as I'd have liked, but my daughter has created some really cute things felting! I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the history of the art form. I knew some hats were felted, but never really gave to much thought to other items that were also felted through the ages! Interesting book and does include some instruction for the craft.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
January 12, 2009
so cute!
January 4, 2014
So many craft books have one or two good projects, but in this one, every project is beautiful and doable.
June 15, 2014
Animals are a little too realistic - creepy
July 1, 2015
Own.
January 21, 2009
Cute animals...great diagrams...my favorite so far!
January 15, 2017
Great Book and perfect for beginners. Easy to follow instructions and lots of great visuals.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews