About the Author

Gerd Fjellanger has been knitting since she was very young. 'I have been knitting since I was a little girl and have my mother to blame. I was fascinated by her ability to create mittens and socks (and whatever else we needed) with just a ball of yarn and two needles. She taught me the basics when I was six, so all through my childhood I dressed up my happy dolls in my own 'designer' clothes.'

Her training includes weaving, sewing, designing and constructing, and says 'I have not pursued any of these careers exclusively, but the skills I acquired have been the foundation on which my career rests.'

Sixteen years ago Gerd started up as a knitting designer for a Norwegian yarn company. Five years later she stepped out into the unknown and started freelancing, and five years ago decided to start her own business. She now delivers knitting designs and instructions to yarn companies and magazines on a regular basis.

Reviews

Myshelf.com: If you think of felt as that rather flat fabric you buy in craft shops, then you haven't seen the real thing! This isn't the usual type made with wool tops, but the art of felting knitting. You can do this in the washing machine, which makes the task a lot easier. Then all you have to do it wear it. Of course the fun part is the knitting itself, and there is a fine array of diverse projects in this book, all with lengthy instructions and handsome photographs. This is NOT a book intended to teach knitting to a beginner, so if this is what you want you will have to go elsewhere (but not very far as Search Press has many excellent books of this type). It is a book of projects, touching briefly on such useful things as needle sizes (circular needles) and abbreviations, but otherwise it is on with the patterns. There are many different ones for men, women and children including hats, gloves, shawls, lots of lovely bags, knitted baskets, an angel decoration, a rug, mats, cushions and more. I particularly like the slippers, suitable for the whole family and the elegant longline bead trimmed cardigan. There truly is something for everybody in here - just add a washing machine! Merseyside Embroiderers Guild: The author has included stylish patterns for garments and accessories demonstrating the tactile surfaces of felted knitting. She explains the best method of creating felted surfaces and caring for the items once completed. The best types of knitting wool for felting are explained and she goes on to show how to embellish her bags, hats and garments with attractive embroidery and beading. There is even a pattern for some elegant knitted slippers worked in garter stitch and catering for ladies sizes 4-6 and mens sizes 8-10, which would be great for wearing around the house on cold winter days. This book is packed with more than 50 patterns suitable for all age groups and the knitting skills are simple enough for a beginner to try. Workshop on the Web: This book is based on the idea of knitting first and then felting the knitting. A very brief, and rather vague, description is given of the felting process. This uses a washing machine and seems to be a rather haphazard procedure. so more details would have been helpful. I guess you'd have to wash a sample before you made a garment to check the tension. The remainder of the book is given over to knitting patterns for hats, scarves, gloves, jumpers etc. tensions are given for before and after washing. I like the idea of knitting and felting but most of the items shown don't look very felted - more like fluffy knitting. Could be a good starting point. SlipKnot: Deliberately felting a knitted piece: you either love it or hate the idea. In the 80 pages of this A4 paperback with many full-page colour photographs, are 50 'inspirational ideas', ending with a quote from Knut Hamsun that 'A sitting man does not need honour, he needs warm stockings'. The book was first published in Norway in 2006 and specific Norwegian woollen yarns are specified for each piece. Since the tension is given (in stitches, but not rows) before and after feling, it should be possible to substitute wools that are more readily available in the UK. The ideas range from scarves and bags to numerous slippers, hats, mittens and on to cushions and pots via an angel and various garments. Each piece is knitted before being subjected to the friction and temperature changes that result in the wool fibres meshing into each other. Those who dislike felting their work might ask whether any of the designs really needs to be made in this way whereas those who love the idea of producing a dense blurred texture will find plenty of ways to use the results.Lesley Fidler www.karenplatt.co.uk: This is one of the most attractive books I have found on felted knits. The Nordic style is simple, colourful and effective. The patterns are very attractive and desirable. The blue on the cover is so eye-catching, but this book really does deliver inside too. It contains instructions to make bags, sweaters, scarves and hats, slippers and much more. The projects are also embellished with beads and embroidery. You can easily add individual touches to these handmade projects. Designs include ideas for men, women and children and the home. There are over fifty inspirational ideas that use an easy felting technique achieved by the friction of a washing machine. The patterns use circular or 5-pointed needles for knitting. When matching yarns, remember to match the tension by knitting a swatch. Measurements are given for tension before and after felting. This lovely collection of felted knitting patterns by Gerd Fjellanger will give you plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts. There are more than 50 delightful designs here, from pretty handbags and slippers to scarves and gloves for men, women and children. Jumper and poncho designs have a distinctly Nordic feel. Many of the items are finished with beading and embroidery techniques after the knitted pieces have been felted, making use of traditional Scandinavian motifs.-The Knitter