I had never really heard of felting as a crafty art form but when I saw this book I just had to check it out. This book really is a great guide for beginners. I especially appreciated the step-by-step instructions including pictures (I definitely need pictures to keep track as to whether or not I'm doing something correctly). I also feel like once you learn to do these designs it opens up a huge variety of other scenes and animals/creatures you can create. If you are looking for a new craft or already know about felting and just need ideas for future projects this is a great book for you!

Oh, this is so much fun! And quite accessible, manageable fun. This is a book that I will be recommending that my university library buys to begin to build a makerspace collection. The activities in this book would be easy to tackle with a student craft club, a "paint night" style needle-felting night (although wine and poky needles might be a bad idea), or a parent and child activity for a public library. This would be idea for the student teachers I work with, as they could try needle felting creations themselves, and then take the activity out to share with students.

What makes this great? Everything is beautifully, clearly explained. There is well-written text, broken down logically, and very clear step-by-step photos. The few tools needed are not hard to source, and the author gives some great options if you are looking for environmentally friendly tools. I wasn't expecting a section on dyeing in a beginner guide, so that was a pleasant surprise. My only (very minor quibble) is that it would be great to have links or qr codes to videos as well as the photos - to actually see the process happen.

I have a friend who is a mycologist, so you know I'm going to be working on a mushroom for her. Snag this one for your multi-generational makers.

What a BEAUTIFUL book! I saw it and immediately had to give it a read and look at the gorgeous photos.

Needle felting is something that I have tried before and thought that this book targeting beginners was perfect to continue my learning. It taught me right from the very first page, the origins of the craft and the wool industry. It has sections that outline the wool and fibres element and even discusses which parts of the wool are what and how they look. The felting surfaces, needles and holders and other supplies, sections were very informative and easy to read.

The projects. Oh my word, the projects! They ranged from a very easy to do cookie cutter garlands to customisable babies, unicorns, flowers and trees and birds, rabbits and fairies. Some even in finger puppet form! I'm going to be spending quite a lot of time with this book and the gorgeous projects.
Each project includes an introduction, list of supplies, and step by step instructions which all have photographs and are explained well and easy to follow. Tips for best use are also there too. The book is generously inclusive of templates for you to get to work straight away as well.

All in all a 5-star read from me and a definite addition to a couple of friends' Christmas present lists!

Thank you to Netgalley, Claudia Lenart and Fox Chapel Publishing/Landauer Publishing for a copy to review. My opinions are all my own.

I was able to look at "Complete Starter Guide to Needle Felting: Enchanted Forest" by Claudia Lenart on NetGalley. I think this is a great introduction to needle felting! I loved the step-by=step instructions with pictures and can't wait to try some of these projects. The robin with the nest and eggs is stunningly beautiful. This looks like a fun hobby to have!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
This is a really cute thematic book with instructions for making creatures and background items for 'fantasy forest' assemblages and small dioramas.
I'd rate it as advanced beginner. 4-4.5 out of 5.
Lots of cute designs and ideas
The book has good comprehensive information and instructions and lots of how-to photos. With some practice, most readers should be able to create a lot of really cute projects.

Highly detailed instructions on how to create a beautiful and diverse range of felted projects. Perhaps geared to an advanced beginner, this book is perfect for those wishing to improve their skills and create some awesome felted mythical creatures. Unlike many felters, the author prefers a looser style, which means the items work up faster and you can make more things during your precious crafting hours. It's inspired me to try my hand at felting again.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free preview of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Love love love! Excellent instructions and the pictures are perfect! Step-by-step pictures are so helpful to have. This is the best How-To book for needle felting that I have seen. And I love the Enchanted Forest theme. Too cute!

I hope to buy this for my library as it is useful and gorgeous. With needle felting becoming popular again, it is great to have such a detailed book. The pictures are clear and show what ratios of wool to use to get different sizes and they offer templates at the back.
The only thing is that some projects require tools that you may not have- such as cookie cutters in specific shapes or felt templates.

These are some of the most adorable needle felting patterns I have ever seen! These whimsical fairies are great for children at heart of any age, perfect for bringing a fairy garden or bedroom to life!

I've tried needle felting once or twice in the past, and really enjoyed it. This guide is perfect to learn some new skills and show how to do some really nifty things as a beginner. I loved that the author detailed each step with pictures and showed how to things like build a small armature. The felting seems to be quite loose in the pictures, but that is personal taste and nice for a beginner anyways!

Thanks to NetGalley, Claudia Lenart, and Fox Chapel Publishing for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

A few months ago I bought a needle felting kit which, in lieu of instructions, had a QR code that I could scan to watch how-to videos. Uh-uh! Not this girl! I'm old-school, and I want written, step-by-step instructions. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to look over the written tutorials provided in this book.

As far as craft books go, this is well organized, with MANY photos to illustrate the techniques. Lenart's instruction are clear and easy to follow.

There is plenty of help for beginners, with the author explaining all the tools required for getting started. There's a bit on dying and blending colors with wool, and using wire armatures for the more complicated characters. The author uses cookie cutters for the first project - a gnome and flower garland - and the projects become progressively more complicated.

I definitely feel more confident after reading this, and I plan on breaking out that kit and getting started in needle felting.

Great book on learning needle felting! I’ve been wanting to learn this technique for some time now. This book gives very detailed instructions and pictures to follow for making these projects. It doesn’t look as hard as I thought it was. If you’ve ever been interested in needle felting, this book is for you! I’m going to try it out now!

"Complete Starter Guide to Needle Felting: Enchanted Forest Fairies, Gnomes, Unicorns, and Other Woodland Friends" by Claudia Lenart is a wonderful introduction to the art of needle felting. This book covers everything a beginner needs to know, from basic supplies to essential techniques. What sets it apart are the charming projects that not only inspire but also help develop skills progressively. Whether you're crafting fairies, gnomes, unicorns, or other woodland creatures, (I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.) Lenart's instructions are clear and encouraging, making this guide a perfect companion for anyone looking to explore the magical world of needle felting.

The Complete Starter Guide to Needle Felting - Enchanted Forest by Claudia Marie Lenart is a great book for a beginner in needle felting or even someone with experience.

The book starts with a detailed review of supplies, including fibers, felting surfaces, needles and more. Then Lenart discusses techniques - creating shapes with wool, making wire-based armatures, adding thin line details, dyeing wool, and blending wool. Then it’s on to the 13 projects, which include fairies, gnomes, rabbit, fox, unicorn, plus more unusual designs, which you don’t often see in a needle felting book such as finger puppets, a mobile with bluebird and clouds, a garland, and display scenes. Throughout all of the projects are tips which are boxed off and colored so they are easily seen. There are really helpful templates for the projects in the back of the book.

I’ve been needle felting for many years and have a lot of books but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a finger puppet project, something I’ve been eager to do but had no idea how to go about it. All of the projects include text instructions along with numerous large photos that are closeups. Lenart gives detailed instructions on using wire to make bird feet and has many photos that show the process. Speaking of wire, Lenart explores how to construct armatures for several projects. The Complete Guide to Needle Felting is a comprehensive exploration of how to get started and includes many projects that are great for beginners as well as the more advanced felter. You won’t find better step by step instructions anywhere and the abundance of large closeup photos is a major plus in my book.

Thank you to Landauer Publishing and NetGalley for a temporary advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Great for beginner needle felting. I’ve been wanting to start for a few years but just needed the right to to get me started

Enchanted Forest: Fairies, Gnomes, Unicorns, and Other Woodland Friends is a well written and illustrated beginner friendly guide to learn needle felting by Claudia Lenart. Due out 11th June 2024 from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

There are 13 well written tutorials for learning the basics and making projects full of magical whimsy. The characters are really adorable and most of the projects are scrap-friendly stash busters which don't require a huge outlay in tools or supplies which thrifty crafters will appreciate. These are all adorable and appropriate for all-ages gifts, and holiday gift giving as well as creating small dioramas or woodland scenes.

The introduction and basic tutorials give a good overview over general materials and techniques which are used in the individual projects. Each of them includes tools and supplies in a bullet list in a sidebar, followed by step by step instructions. The characters are all woodland themed and will suit customization with regards to poses and details. They are all general enough that they will also be suited to readers' own creativity with other color themes and changes appropriate for other seasonal uses and personalization. Templates are included in the book.

The photography is beautifully clear and in color. I liked that each of the tutorials contain numerous photos.

Five stars. This would make a good choice for public library acquisition, makers' groups, and quilters.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you to the publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, informative read. The instructions were thoroughly shown in pictures, and the tools were all named and explained right in the beginning. The projects were listed in increasing difficulty, so it's definitely a straight line from where you should start, to where you should finish, if, like me, you're reading this as a true beginner.

*review posted on Goodreads, link provided

This is a lovely book with excellent guidelines on how to needle felt simple figures. I have needle felted and I feel that this would be appropriate for crafters who have some experience with needle felting and those who are just beginning. The picture tutorials are clear and informative, and the information is presented in an understandable way.

The only issue is that the equipment needed is not something that people are likely to have around the house, but you can get basic tools fairly inexpensively. I recommend this book to crafters who are looking for a unique and interesting craft!

Thanks to Fox and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book has all the inspiration and instruction the reader needs to make adorable, felted creatures and scenes! This book really is a great starter guide, The book provides a basic overview of the tools and supplies the reader will need to begin needle felting. One great part about this book is that each project featured seems to build on the last, including new skills for each project but using some expertise already gained. The author outlines some of the finer techniques such as making fine lines, blending the wool, and dyeing your own wool.

The book starts with a very cute spring gnome garland and progresses to trees, gnomes, flowers and fairies. These projects are very adorable, and it seems that anyone with some basic felting supplies and tools could replicate the projects. The Enchanted Forest feel is very popular right now with gnomes, mushrooms and fairies, and these would be a hit for anyone who enjoys these things. There is even a unicorn you can make - how adorable!!

This book is well written with lots of good step-by-step photos to help along the way. I am excited to make some of these patterns to liven up my life. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys needle felting or who wants to get started.

Cute projects and clear step-by-step instructions. But it seems this craft – which looked so simple on Kirstie Allsopp’s craft show – is beyond me.