If you haven’t tried felting yet, there are three recently released books sure to tempt you to get on with the woolly ways. C&T’s new book, A Touch of Felt, by Lynne Ferris has 22 projects to get you started, but it’s not all about felting, per se. It also includes some fun things made from purchased felt. Place mats, runners and other home decor items are fast and fun, but one of my favorite projects is an organizer made with votive candle holders that are covered and joined with appliqued felts. A pattern insert is included with this book.
If jewlery is more to your liking, check out Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry, by Sherri Haab. There are 20 fun projects to make using not only felting, but scraps of fabrics and yarns as well, plus buttons and beads. Large color photos and sketches offer step-by-step how-tos, and project photos are luscious enough to tempt. Instructions are also included for knitted and crocheted pieces.
Nuno Nouveau, by Liz Clay, takes a wonderfully different slant on felting with a technique that involves wool and woven fabrics combined. Lightweight wovens like organza and chiffon become the base for woolly art. This book concentrates on the nuno felting techniques applied to accessories and home dec pieces, and also includes information on dyeing and shibori.
So, gather up some wool fibers, read up on the techniques and start to learn a new skill.