The Answer Lady Innovative Ideas for Machine Knitters To contact the answer lady, use this new anti-spam e-mail address. Rewrite this address in the standard e-mail format with no spaces anywhere and the usual symbols for and and dot: kathryn d answerlady at hotmail dot com If you are new to felting, the free Fabulous Felted Coin-purse pattern will help you get started. Click here to download it FANCY FELTED BAGS Fancy Felted Bags includes patterns for a Classic Carpet Bag and an African Market Basket plus a detailed article on felting. These are special, beyond-the-basics felting patterns but they are not difficult and beginners can succeed at them. Both bags, shown at left, may be knitted on any gauge of Japanese machine*. Bonds and other hobby machines can utilize the designs by hand selecting a fairisle pattern. 19 pages include 2 punchcards, lots of illustrations, bag diagrams, an in-depth article on the principles and practice of felting and very detailed pattern instructions. The Market Basket was first published in News and Views in 2005, the Carpet Bag in Knitwords in 2004. The felting articles were produced in News and Views as a series in 2005. The illustrations and diagrams are new to this pattern and there have been additions to the text as well. *Passap knitters may knit the bags using single bed fairisle techniques. They will need to understand the machine functions clearly because Passap language is not used in the pattern. E-pattern is $10.50 and will be delivered by instant download. FABULOUS FELTED CARPET SLIPPERS A whole new approach to slipper-making. Knit the fabric, then felt it, cut it, sew it and add soles. ALL knitters can use this pattern including any machine (except 3.6mm) hand knitters and frame knitters. Suggestions are given for knitting appropriate fabric. Complete felting instructions are provided. A pattern for the cut and sew process covers childrens' size 1 (not babies) to mens' size 14. Complete assembly and sole-making instructions. Modest sewing skills are adequate. These slippers are quick, cozy and unisex. They make great gifts and are a wonderful way to use up mixed wools. E-pattern $7 AND WILL BE SENT AS AN INSTANT DOWNLOAD FABULOUS FELTED MARY JANES AND BALLET FLATS Fabulous Felted Ballet Flats and Mary Janes for Bulky Machines and Bonds The newest addition to the Fabulous Felted Footwear collection is by far the easiest of the patterns. Each shoe may be knitted in about 10 minutes! The pattern is 10 pages, fully illustrated and includes felting instructions and a chart for keeping track of your projects. It's very beginner-friendly. If you have never felted, this will be a rewarding first project. If you are experienced, you can make shoes for everyone you know in a flash. No ribber is needed. The first 3 pages of the pattern deal with selecting the appropriate yarn. You may see them for free by clicking on the link below. I hope this will help you to make successful yarn selections for this and other felting projects. click here to see the first 3 pages of this pattern and learn about choosing yarn for the project FABULOUS FELTED FOOTWEAR The new Fabulous Felted Footwear for all Bulky and Mid-gauge machines includes versions for making the pattern on the single bed or using both beds. Bonds can make it, too. The method is simple to understand and simple to knit. The new pattern includes more illustrations and details than ever. Instant download $10.75 This version is now retired. It has been replaced by the new version at left which is easier to understand and to knit. If you have this version and want to upgrade, the new pattern is available to you at a discount. E-mail to request more informtaion using the address given at the top of the page Standard gauge Japanese machines and 5mm Passap and White machines use this pattern. This is an E-pattern that will arrive as an instant download $10.50 Fabulous Felted Footwear patterns allow machine knitters to make custom fitted cozy slippers. The slippers are similar to those hand knitters have enjoyed for many years but they are achieved by completely different methods. Left to right photos above show: bulky & mid-gauge slipper, the original version which is now retired, Standard-gauge/Passap. The standard gauge version uses Jaggerspun 2/8 wool or something comparable. Mid-gauge and bulky versions use worsted weight or 3 strands of Jaggerspun 2/8 run together. DON'T choose sock yarn with nylon as it is designed not to felt. All versions of the pattern include instructions for applying OUTDOOR SOLES. This is easy and inexpensive and makes the slippers even more versatile. All versions of the pattern include felting instructions. Make some soon for the coziest winter ever! Photo at left is of the bulky-with-ribber pattern showing a slipper not attached to a sole. You can see the deeper heel cup well in this photo. Photo at right is of a bulky/mid-gauge slipper using the single bed pattern but with the change that produces the deeper heel cup. This addition to the pattern is a free download. Click here to get it. Free instructions to alter the pattern for a deeper heel cup outdoor soles video $4.75 NEW VIDEO:ADDING SOLES TO FABULOUS FELTED FOOTWEAR This video is designed as a companion to any of the Fabulous Felted Footwear patterns including the soon-to-be-released crocheted version. It takes you through the entire process of selecting, harvesting and attaching outdoor soles to the slippers you have already felted. The video has my voice explaining the entire process while you see it being accomplished. It is 3.5 minutes long. If you have been nervous about making shoes, this is for you! Video is delivered as an instant download. When you click on the file, Windows Media Player will automatically open and play the movie. anti-slip tread video $2.00 NEW VIDEO: MAKING ANTI-SLIP TREADS FOR FABULOUS FELTED FOOTWEAR AND SLIPPER SOCKS This process is described in several of the Fabulous Felted Footwear patterns but many knitters have asked to see it demonstrated. It is easy and inexpensive. It also works for other knitted footwear. There is enough information in the 2 minute video to allow you to proceed with making treads whether you have a pattern or not. This method is meant for slippers that will be worn indoors. It leaves the slippers soft, light, flexible and still washable. Video $2 click here to download a help file for Fabulous Felted Footwear. It consists of answers to questions that many knitters have posed FABULOUS FELTED BAGS now for ALL gauges of knitting machine 10 styles of bags can be knitted on ANY machine. Worsted weight or Lopi yarn is used on bulkies. Sport weight is used on standard, Passap and mid-gauge machines. Passap & standards knit on every other needle. Most styles are presented in 2 basic sizes with instructions for adapting the designs to any size you wish. Easy and practical--no ribber required. E-pattern $16.50 FABULOUS FELTED HATS FOR BULKIES (above) and MID-GAUGE, STANDARD & PASSAP (below) Knit 9 styles of hat for kids or adults with 100% wool worsted weight yarn. Felt hats to perfection in the washer and dryer. ANY bulky machine will do--no ribber required. e-pattern $16.50 and will be sent as an instant download. First button is bulky pattern. Standard and mid-gauge pattern shown in lower photo uses sport weight yarn. Passaps use this pattern. Styles are similar but not identical. This pattern has fewer styles but more detail about sizing than the bulky version. $16.50

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE BABY MITT PATTERN TO BE MADE IN EITHER FELT OR POLAR FLEECE