Product Description

"When asked to do a book of handknit handbags, I jumped at the opportunity, because I love bags - they're practically indispensable! I've incorporated many different shapes and motifs that range from whimsical to haute couture, and have tried to make them functional, fashionable and fun. You'll find an added element that is very exciting to me...they're all...felted. Felting adds whole new dimensions to the bags - texture...durability...cohesion...and distinctive style. I well know how nerve racking it can be to throw a lovingly-knit project into the uncharted territory of hot and soapy water and hope that the gods of the washing machine will be kind. Not to worry! If you follow my felting hints, it most always works. And the good news is - a bag doesn't have to fit! So knit...felt...and be merry."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123092 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 84 pages

Review
"Just look at that cover- sumptuous, and this book does not disappoint. 15 fun felted bags based on themes such as flora, fauna, pictorial, tapestry, geometric and textural. Expert knitter, Nicky Epstein, puts her versatility into felted bags to create some of the best around. They not only look good but are practical too. So when you want your felted frog, cat, flapper bag or houndstooth, you know what to do. This 82 page book with lavish photography, has easy-to-follow knitting instructions for the bags which are then felted in a washing machine." KarenPlatt.co.uk

About the Author
Nicky Epstein is one of today's most prolific and versatile knitwear designers, authors and teachers. She has gained worldwide recognition for her artistic, distinctive and innovative work, whimsical sense of style and informative workshops. Her designs continue to be featured in many knitting magazines and publications, on television, and in museums.

Customer Reviews

Fabulous is the right word
Fabulous as in fabled, extraordinary and large (some are very large indeed).
There are 16 bags in all, Bobbles and Brambles is black with pink bobbles and a round handle, the bag is around 18" x 16" , Tropicana has parrots worked in intarsia (or duplicate stitch) and ends up a whopping 20" x 24".
Fuchsias ends up 15" x 11" and is grey-blue with a light grey front from which bright pink fuchsias hang, Wisteria is in dark nightshade with little felted flowers and leaves added afterwards, lovely. There are others, all colourful, all different and I found the instructions easy to follow. Wool is available from Jamiesons by mail order - long established and easy to deal with.
Now the bags above, although different are not particularly of the fabled variety, however, Swanderful looks like a dead swan,there's one with a cat - and a mouse hanging from its mouth,a frog bag, and Queens balls is checkerboard and has balls hanging from the squares, so if incredibly unusual is for you - well, here it is!