Felt Forward

felt forward modern designs in knitted felt

maggie pace

felt forward Introduction

section one Innovative Techniques String of Beads Hat Cutaway Petals Pillow Shibori Wreath S Bracelet Conjoined Ring Purse Ring Belt The Knit-Purl Hat Hoop Purse

section two Unexpected Materials Three Sisters Scarf Alpaca Hoodie Angora Ballet Sweater Striped Headband Freida Lights Ice-Age Boots

section two Modern Forms Circles Table Runner Circles Placemat City Duffel The Linear Box Hat City Duffel Chunky Flower Ring Bobble Baby Hat

Basic Felting Information Abbreviations & Glossary

Felt Forward is a collection of patterns for felters who—like me—are smitten with the craft and are ready to explore more of what is possible from it. As you thumb through these pages, you’ll notice that each project offers an original perspective: The design may be uniquely constructed. It may have an unusual use. It may be made of a yarn not generally deemed “feltable.” The patterns aren’t more difficult or more time-consuming than other felted knits. They don’t require an extensive background in felting, or even years of experience in knitting. What they do require is a sense of adventure, and a desire to make a handknit that is just a bit out of the ordinary.

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conjoined ring purse Shower curtain rings inspired the idea for this purse—I actually started the first version of it with the chunky snappable plastic rings from my shower! After felting a few, I decided they were too fat for the design. I finally settled on slender yet sturdy 11-gauge brass rings from an online macramé supply store. Plastic rings are a cheaper and even more lightweight option, but they can be difficult to find in 2½".

Finished Size

Yarn

Notes:

9" (23 cm) wide, 9" (23 cm) tall, with a 3" (7.5 cm) gusset.

Worsted-weight (Medium #4) 100% wool: 250 yd (229 m) brown, 200 yd (183 m) green, 12 yd (11 m) orange (optional). shown here: Pick Up Sticks Felting Yarn (100% wool, 220 yd [201 m]/3.5 oz): chocolate, 2 balls; celery, 1 ball; and orange, less than 1 ball.

 The purse is comprised of 39 rings: 9 each on the front and back, 3 each for the gusset sides and bottom, and 12 for the strap.

Needles Size 10 (6 mm): straight and 2 double-pointed (dpn).

Notions Tapestry needle; 39 brass, wood, or plastic 2½" rings, 11-gauge.

Each ring is encased in I-cord, then felted. When dry, the rings are joined at their center points with doubled yarn and a secure knot. The lining slides into the ring structure and is tacked into place, making it easy to exchange. Knit a second lining in a different color and periodically swap it to change the look of the purse.

Gauge 16 sts and 20 rows = 4" (10 cm) before felting

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times. Bind off, leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail. With tail threaded on a tapestry needle, use the invisible seam method (see Glossary, page 000) to join the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge. Make 38 more rings. The purse shown here features 2 “colorspot” rings worked in orange; you may opt to work all of them in green.

Lining Front With brown and straight needles, CO 40 sts. Rows 1–56: Work in stockinette stitch. Row 57: Purl all sts tbl to create a turning ridge.

Bottom Rows 58–72: Work in stockinette stitch. Row 73: Purl all sts tbl to create a turning ridge.

Back Rows 74–130: Work in stockinette stitch.

Bind off all sts. Weave in ends.

Sides With the straight needles and brown yarn, cast on 16 stitches. Rows 1–56: Work in stockette stitch.

Bind off all sts. Weave in ends Repeat Rows 1–56 to make second side.

Seam Pin the first side piece to the sides of the front/bottom/back panel. With brown yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, use the invisible seam (see Glossary, page 000) to sew the edges. Repeat to attach the second side.

Knit

Felt

Rings

Felt lining and rings according to the directions in the appendix (see page 000). Felt the lining until its measurements are close to the finished dimensions of the purse.

Begin by making a 5-yard bobbin with the green yarn. With green and dpn, CO 4 sts and knit 1 row. *Slide stitches to the opposite end of the needle as for working I-cord (see Glossary, page 000). Pass the bobbin and working yarn through 1 ring. Pull yarn from the end of the row along the underside of the ring across the back of the knitting. Knit 4 sts. Repeat from * 33

Finishing Join the rings.

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take your knitted felt in a new direction!

Paperboard, 8 ½ x 9, 128 pages 100 Photographss; 15 Illustrations $21.95 US/$27.95 Canada

Knitted felt is fun—transforming large, floppy knitted fabric into a trim, threedimensional piece has captured the imagination of knitters everywhere. But until now, aspiring felters were limited to the same old totes and slippers. Well, get ready to felt in a whole new way! Internationally acclaimed knitted felt designer Maggie Pace brings the freshness back to knitted felt with this collection of innovative, stylish, and simple designs. Although the patterns are easy for an advanced beginning knitter to master, the clever techniques in Felt Forward will have you seeing knitted fabric in a whole new light.

ISBN: 978-1-59668-039-5 november 2007

• Put some zip in that felted tote by felting with plastic rings and embroidery hoops • Take your knitted footwear out of the house with felted boots made for walking • See felt in a whole new way with felted flower lights • Explore felt’s softer side with pieces made in cuddly alpaca and angora With friendly, detailed directions on felting in your washing machine and a glossary to brush up on those knitting moves, Felt Forward shows you how to make felted pieces with pizzazz—from the sweater you won’t want to take off to elegant accessories perfect for the most modish knitter.

Knitters love Maggie Pace’s innovative knitted felt designs for their techniques and fresh look. Since founding her company, Pick Up Sticks! In 2003, Maggie has sold her kits and patterns throughout the world. She lives in Oakland, California with her family. This is her second book. Interweave Press LLC is distributed to the book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Independent Publishers Group, in the UK and Europe by Search Press, in New Zealand by David Batemman, Ltd, and in Austrailia by Keith Aninsworth Pty Ltd. Interweave Press LLC is also the publisher of 13 craft magazines including Interweave Knits,

interweave.com

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