Translation copyright 2016 by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
Copyright 2010 by Saori Yamazaki
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.pottercraft.com
POTTER CRAFT and colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Originally published in Japanese by Kawade Shobo Shinsha Ltd. Publishers in 2010.
English translation rights arranged with Kawade Shobo Shinsha Ltd. Publishers through Timo Associates, Inc., Tokyo, and LEEs Literary Agency, Taipei.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Yamazaki, Saori.
[Feruto DOG. English]
Little felted dogs / Saori Yamazaki
pages cm
Translation of: Feruto DOG
1. Stuffed animals (Toys) 2. Felt work. 3. Dogs in art.
I. Title
TT174.3.Y3613 2016
745.5924dc23
2015017933
ISBN9780553447965
eBook ISBN9780553447972
Cover photograph by Shoko Matsuda (Loftways Inc.)
Japanese Language Edition Staff:
Photography: Shoko Matsuda (Loftways Inc.)
Art direction: Norie Matsunaga (Loftways Inc.)
Design: Megumi Ohsaki (Loftways Inc.)
Styling: Maki Muramatsu (Loftways Inc.)
Writer: Akiko Matsui
Illustration: Junko Raiko
v4.1
a
Introduction
Ever since I discovered the felting needlea simple tool that allows you to easily shape raw wool into any imaginable form, just by poking the fibers into placeI have been making all different kinds of felted animals. Especially dogs.
One reason I love crafting dogs is that they come in so many different breeds, each with its own personality, so they are a never-ending source of inspiration. But even more than that, Im a dog lover, and making something you adore is the best way to enjoy yourself and improve your crafting skills. Nothing can take the place of a real pet, but if you pour enough love into these little creations, youll be amazed at how cute they can betheyre so lifelike youll almost expect them to jump up to greet you! So think of your own dog, your friends dogs, or puppies you might dream about getting, and make your own little felted pooch.
I have lived with three dogs so far. Ive experienced a couple of sad partings, but each animal has been a joy from our first meeting until long after weve had to say good-bye. This book is a grateful offering to all the lovable dogs in the world, with the hope that they will have long, healthy, and happy lives.
Saori Yamazaki
NEEDLE FELTING BASICS AND ESSENTIAL TOOLS
All of the projects in this book were made with just a few tools, including one called a felting needle. The technique itself is called needle felting. Here Ill introduce the fundamentals of this craft and its essential tools.
WHAT IS NEEDLE FELTING?
Needle felting is a simple craft that basically requires only a single tool: the felting needle. A felting needle, designed specifically for felt work, has several barbs near its tip. Needle felting involves jabbing a piece of raw wool or wool roving repeatedly with this needle. With each jab, loose wool fibers are caught in the barbs on the needle, entangling and pulling them together to create a stiff, denser material called felt.
BASIC MATERIALS AND TOOLS
WOOL Wool comes in a variety of types that differ according to the breed of sheep and the amount of processing that takes place after shearing. I like to use varieties of wool sliver, also known as combed topbundles with long fibers combed in the same directionfor felting figurines, especially animals with long fur. (Wool roving, on the other hand, made be made with matted fibers going in all different directionsnot ideal for adding long strands of fur to your felted dog.) You can find wool for felting in many different varieties and colors, from undyed naturals to merino wool dyed in any shade imaginable.