The Complete Photo Guide to Felting

Starred review from December 15, 2012
The wide parameters of the colorful world of felting will come as a surprise to all but the most experienced felters, who, along with those of novice status, are the audience expert crafter Lane addresses in this large-format, comprehensive guide. Lane offers this basic definition of felting: wool fibers are matted into fabric that historically was used as effective protection against the elements but has become a popular craft for perhaps less utilitarian but certainly increased aesthetic purposes. A presentation of fundamental practices leads the reader to confront and absorb lessons on advanced techniques, with directions by Lane expressed in patient prose and the ample illustrations assisting the text well. The greatly informative chapter All about Wool discusses such topics as grading wool and the various breeds of wool (which depend on the breeds of sheep from which they are derived). Washing the wool, carding, and dyeing round out the book's introductory portion, at which point the author imparts detailed information on three types of felting: traditional wet felting, Nuno felting, and needle felting, with techniques and sample projects given careful elucidation. A concluding gallery of greatly creative felted works by an array of artists adds final inspiration. For more encyclopedic treatments of various crafts, see the adjacent Read-alikes column.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)