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Knitting Never Felt Better: The Definitive Guide to Fabulous Felting
With her signature style, the bestselling and beloved needlework author Nicky Epstein offers the best guide to felting. Using ten chic garments and more than 150 stunning sample swatches as examples, she covers the top techniques for turning wool yarn into vibrant and dense textures. Before and after shots show how different fabrics react to the process, and there are patterns, stitches, and techniques for lace, mosaics, cables, plaids, checks, and quilting. Create bobbles, appliqués, and ruffles; combine yarns; and use clamps, marbles, cords, braids, and more to form three-dimensional shapes in the felt. Epstein also presents her unique ideas for transforming old clothes and accessories, using one sweater to demonstrate many design possibilities. An array of attractive home décor projects completes the collection beautifully. A Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.
- GenresKnittingCraftsNonfiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Epstein
59 books36 followersNicky Epstein is a knitting designer and author of numerous books on knitting. She is known for her creative combinations of knitting stitches, and for the colorful patterns often found in her sweaters, especially involving applique of separately knitted motifs.[1] In 2005, she was given a prestigious award by the National NeedleArts Association. In 2006, her work was featured in a retrospective fashion show at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Since the (winter) Holiday 2005 issue, Epstein has written a regular column in Vogue Knitting called simply "Nicky Epstein".
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 14, 2009
This book is amazing! I didn't know that you could do all these things with felting! I had never thought of using marbles, acorns, or objects to make my felted knitting come out in different shapes. The tips and techniques in this book are phenomenal. It has lots of patterns of what a knitted item will look like after it is felted. I thought it was astounding how many examples they had in this book. This book is definitely something that I would recommend. I had such a great time looking through it and marveling at all the things I could do with felting. Awesome book!
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
August 8, 2012
Sixth & Spring Books recently released a paperback edition of Nicky Epstein’s Knitting Never Felt Better: The Definitive Guide to Fabulous Felting. If, like me, you missed out on the hardcover edition, I recommend that you check this book out.
Although the patterns inside are geared towards knitters, this book provides a really thorough examination of felting, so I would even recommend it for crocheters. The book opens with Go Felt Yourself, an overview of felting, which includes general felting instructions, FAQs, a list of ten great yarns to use for felting (as recommended by 60 yarn shop owners), and before and after photos of a 23 stitch stockinette swatch in 19 different yarns. The chapter closes with two patterns for knitting projects along with felting instructions.
The next chapter, Dimensional Felting, is by far my favorite. In this chapter, Nicky explores different techniques for creating dimensional projects by attaching marbles, balls, nuts, pebbles, shells, buttons, dowels, and other objects to your finished yarn creation while felting. She also shows some great examples of textures created by drying felted yarn with binder clips attached. This section is filled with swatch pictures that include details about how the effect was created, as well as 6 project patterns and 12 stitch patterns.
In A Potpourri of Stitch Patterns, Nicky explores stitch patterns that “still maintain their visual interest” after felting. This section includes 6 cable stitch patterns, 6 mosaic patterns, 39 color stitch patterns, 2 one-color slip stitch patterns, and 10 lace patterns, as well as one project made from a pattern stitch.
The next chapter, A Variety of Techniques, explores intarsia, stranded colorwork, color blocking, duplicate stitch, surface embroidery, entrelac, drop stitch, beading, and combining natural fibers with synethics. As in the previous chapter, each stitch is shown before and after, and there are many suggestions for felting with these techniques. (My favorite tip is to avoid weaving in ends with your intarsia project, and then to cut them off after felting.) This chapter includes 21 stitch patterns and 3 project patterns.
Appliques, Cords and Bag Handles includes tips for adding “unique adornments” to your projects. This section includes 8 applique patterns, 6 cord patterns, and 8 designs for bag handles along with two project patterns.
The next chapter, Cut It Out, focuses on cutting up felted fabric (from your own knitting or crocheting, or from upcycled garments) to make a variety of fun projects. Most of these projects require sewing. I love the 5-in-1 sweater projects, which shows how to create two hats, a decorative flower, a dog sweater, and a purse from one old sweater, and there are some great bags and toys in this chapter as well.
The next chapter, Sculptural Felting, includes patterns for 13 fruits and vegetables, a fruit bowl, and a covered bowl/gift box.
At the end of the book, there is a techniques section that reviews the pattern abbreviation terms and includes written instructions for some stitches, increases, and decreases. There are also illustrated instructions for a provisional cast on, three-needle bind off, kitchener stitch, duplicate stitch, and 9 embroidery stitches used in the patterns. Nicky includes 13 pages of pattern templates for the cut felted patterns.
The book is filled with great suggestions from Nicky’s readers, as well as tips for making and using your felted creations. Each stitch pattern includes before and after felting pictures, and all of the projects include directions for felting and assembly. Most patterns use U.S. pattern abbreviations, but many of the colorwork patterns include charts instead. The layout and photography is attractive, so the book makes great “eye candy.” As you might expect from Nicky, most of the patterns are women’s accessories, bags, and garments, but there are some items for men, children, and home. The book includes so many stitch patterns that a knitter can also create their own projects using the stitch patterns and felting techniques included inside. The introduction to each section also includes details about the type of yarn and needles used for the swatches in that section.
While this book is clearly aimed at knitters, as I’ve mentioned, there is a lot that crocheters can glean from it. For example, an intermediate crocheter could “translate” the types of color and textured patterns likely to felt well by comparing A Potpourri of Stitch Patterns to a crochet stitch guide. Similarly, most projects in Cut It Out could easily be made with a crocheted fabric.
To keep the review balanced, I’ll mention a few things that could be improved or that might turn off some readers. While I think much could be adapted by an intrepid crocheter, I would have loved to see some crochet stitch patterns included in the book. Some readers will wish that more of the patterns were charted. Like most paperback books, it doesn’t lay completely flat when you are reading, but there are flaps on both covers that can be used as page markers. The book is aimed at an intermediate knitter, so there isn’t much review of the “basics.”
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any intermediate knitter who enjoys working with natural fibers. This book presents a lot of wonderful information about felting in an easily digestible and beautiful form, and there are some wonderful knitting patterns included. I would also recommend this book to an adventurous intermediate or advanced crocheter who already has the basics of felting down and is interested in exploring dimensional and colorwork options.
Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books to review on my blog.
Although the patterns inside are geared towards knitters, this book provides a really thorough examination of felting, so I would even recommend it for crocheters. The book opens with Go Felt Yourself, an overview of felting, which includes general felting instructions, FAQs, a list of ten great yarns to use for felting (as recommended by 60 yarn shop owners), and before and after photos of a 23 stitch stockinette swatch in 19 different yarns. The chapter closes with two patterns for knitting projects along with felting instructions.
The next chapter, Dimensional Felting, is by far my favorite. In this chapter, Nicky explores different techniques for creating dimensional projects by attaching marbles, balls, nuts, pebbles, shells, buttons, dowels, and other objects to your finished yarn creation while felting. She also shows some great examples of textures created by drying felted yarn with binder clips attached. This section is filled with swatch pictures that include details about how the effect was created, as well as 6 project patterns and 12 stitch patterns.
In A Potpourri of Stitch Patterns, Nicky explores stitch patterns that “still maintain their visual interest” after felting. This section includes 6 cable stitch patterns, 6 mosaic patterns, 39 color stitch patterns, 2 one-color slip stitch patterns, and 10 lace patterns, as well as one project made from a pattern stitch.
The next chapter, A Variety of Techniques, explores intarsia, stranded colorwork, color blocking, duplicate stitch, surface embroidery, entrelac, drop stitch, beading, and combining natural fibers with synethics. As in the previous chapter, each stitch is shown before and after, and there are many suggestions for felting with these techniques. (My favorite tip is to avoid weaving in ends with your intarsia project, and then to cut them off after felting.) This chapter includes 21 stitch patterns and 3 project patterns.
Appliques, Cords and Bag Handles includes tips for adding “unique adornments” to your projects. This section includes 8 applique patterns, 6 cord patterns, and 8 designs for bag handles along with two project patterns.
The next chapter, Cut It Out, focuses on cutting up felted fabric (from your own knitting or crocheting, or from upcycled garments) to make a variety of fun projects. Most of these projects require sewing. I love the 5-in-1 sweater projects, which shows how to create two hats, a decorative flower, a dog sweater, and a purse from one old sweater, and there are some great bags and toys in this chapter as well.
The next chapter, Sculptural Felting, includes patterns for 13 fruits and vegetables, a fruit bowl, and a covered bowl/gift box.
At the end of the book, there is a techniques section that reviews the pattern abbreviation terms and includes written instructions for some stitches, increases, and decreases. There are also illustrated instructions for a provisional cast on, three-needle bind off, kitchener stitch, duplicate stitch, and 9 embroidery stitches used in the patterns. Nicky includes 13 pages of pattern templates for the cut felted patterns.
The book is filled with great suggestions from Nicky’s readers, as well as tips for making and using your felted creations. Each stitch pattern includes before and after felting pictures, and all of the projects include directions for felting and assembly. Most patterns use U.S. pattern abbreviations, but many of the colorwork patterns include charts instead. The layout and photography is attractive, so the book makes great “eye candy.” As you might expect from Nicky, most of the patterns are women’s accessories, bags, and garments, but there are some items for men, children, and home. The book includes so many stitch patterns that a knitter can also create their own projects using the stitch patterns and felting techniques included inside. The introduction to each section also includes details about the type of yarn and needles used for the swatches in that section.
While this book is clearly aimed at knitters, as I’ve mentioned, there is a lot that crocheters can glean from it. For example, an intermediate crocheter could “translate” the types of color and textured patterns likely to felt well by comparing A Potpourri of Stitch Patterns to a crochet stitch guide. Similarly, most projects in Cut It Out could easily be made with a crocheted fabric.
To keep the review balanced, I’ll mention a few things that could be improved or that might turn off some readers. While I think much could be adapted by an intrepid crocheter, I would have loved to see some crochet stitch patterns included in the book. Some readers will wish that more of the patterns were charted. Like most paperback books, it doesn’t lay completely flat when you are reading, but there are flaps on both covers that can be used as page markers. The book is aimed at an intermediate knitter, so there isn’t much review of the “basics.”
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any intermediate knitter who enjoys working with natural fibers. This book presents a lot of wonderful information about felting in an easily digestible and beautiful form, and there are some wonderful knitting patterns included. I would also recommend this book to an adventurous intermediate or advanced crocheter who already has the basics of felting down and is interested in exploring dimensional and colorwork options.
Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books to review on my blog.
December 27, 2019
This book is interesting as a reference. It has a lot of focus on the shibori three-dimensional technique which, while popular, isn't my thing (I just don't like how it looks). However, it has pages and pages of swatches before and after felting which is both fascinating and useful. I particularly liked seeing the cabling and colorwork swatches. I doubt I would ever make one of the patterns from this book, but looking at their examples and ideas was really fun.
June 24, 2012
Is it wrong to love a book just for its cover? LOL, I love the cover...but I also love the actual book too! I love that it starts with a warning that "felting is addictive. Those of you who have felted before know what I mean. Those of you who have not should be prepared to embark on a wondrous new knitting experience that may change you from a docile, contented, traditional knitter into ...a wildly creative felting freak! So don't say I didn't warn you." :)
The author gives great instructions for the basics of felting and shows how different yarns react to the felting process (with before & after swatch photos), she also shows many unique three dimensional projects which literally made my jaw drop. So smart to use found object during the felting process to add dimension to the fabric when it's dry & the object is removed.
****Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing.
The author gives great instructions for the basics of felting and shows how different yarns react to the felting process (with before & after swatch photos), she also shows many unique three dimensional projects which literally made my jaw drop. So smart to use found object during the felting process to add dimension to the fabric when it's dry & the object is removed.
****Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Sixth & Spring Books/SoHo Publishing.
April 30, 2017
Haven't tried any of the projects yet, but plan to refer to this book in future as some of the ideas were intriguing (e.g. the shibori-inspired projects - nothing I'd actually wear myself, but potentially interesting, and the cute cuddly toys made from felted thrift store sweaters and Vogue sewing patterns).
April 21, 2023
I'm on a Nicky Epstein binge and if I was going to do some knitted felt, this is the book to which I'd refer. The swatches before and after felting were wonderful to see and compare. The shibori pieces were weird and beautiful. Felting old sweaters was even featured! There are plentiful photos, and so many projects!
Read
August 22, 2008Knitting Never Felt Better: The Definitive Guide to Fabulous Felting by Nicky Epstein (2007)
August 31, 2008
I can already do simple things here, looking forward to more, and of course who hasn't felted some knitted thing - if not on purpose?
January 26, 2009
Nicky Pulls it off again! The patterns are intuitive, eccentric, beautiful and easy to understand and adapt to ones needs. She is by far my favorite designer!
Currently reading
July 29, 2010Gorgeous!
December 4, 2012
If you love felting, you should take at look at these wonderful ideas. FUN!
January 12, 2014
Oh, the information and techniques inside this book! It's a really wonderful, thorough guide to felting that goes far, far beyond anything I've seen before. Marvelous!
November 1, 2018
Interesting. Samples of different patterns before and after felting.
April 4, 2017
Setting a high bar for both beautiful projects and unique ways to add texture, this is a great book - it had all of us oohing and aahing over the projects at the front desk. One I will certainly look out for to buy, when I get the time to pursue these beautiful projects.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews