Knitting, crocheting and embroidery together, how can that be?  Flip through these pages and you will find out how.  This is the book that got me down to the store to purchase a pile of knitting needles; I already had plenty of crochet hooks.   Messant invites you to be adventurous and mix your techniques for more texture, excitement and fun.

There is a great deal of wool information but don't let it discourage you if you are allergic to animal fibers, there are many wonderful synthetics available today that can take the place of wools.  There are illustrations of spinning, knitting, sheep being plucked or rooed, weaving and lots of sheep motifs.  There is a knitting pattern for 3-D sheep and also sheep charted patterns.   Directions for shaping and creating different type of sheep are included.  There are examples of sheep motifs made of embroidery, quilting and other stitchery techniques combined.

You can make knitted patchwork panels, knit a handspun shawl, learn about knitting a landscape, color experimentation and three dimensional creations.     There is a mermaid photo on page 42 and 43 that will knock the fiber off your fingers!  She is just "mermaidlicious" with knitted body, crochet filet, sequins and beads added, fuzzy hair and a background of crochet and knitted water and sea flora.  Miranda the Mermaid was the reason I picked up this book and thought Yes!   There is a trellis stitch pattern for the tail, explanations for creating the tail, body, hair, background and accessories, however, you have to use your own creativity to come up with the final piece.  Texture is given plenty of space in this book with notes on technique, yarns, color, tools, stitches, directions and combining knitting and crochet.  The color and texture blends are extraordinary.

Now we get to experiments with guidelines for making changes from bulky to smooth fibers, pick up stitches, making long stitches, holes, bumps and bobbles.    There are illustrations of a small tapestry on page 56 that gave me an idea for a jewelry piece or doll dress.  Page after page of combined work in wonderful colors  jump off the pages and stir your imagination.  There are several color photos of items in nature and the final work that was inspired by that item. 

Dyeing experiments are discussed, how to make colors look like they are moving and then we get into circular items.  The piece worked onto a round ring on page 85 is so intriguing, it has a piece running off the circle that looks like part of a shawl, bumps protrude and there are fluffy nest like pieces, all worked in knitting and crochet techniques.

You thought you had seen it all and then you find mobiles which can even become dolls.  How about lampshades and buttons, you bet!  Then you add embroidery and applicable stitches are included.  There is a knitting and crochet with canvas work example and canvas work stitches are provided.  Smocking by machine and by hand, machine knitting, unshaped garments spliced together in pieces, elements of design and much more is discussed and examples provided.  There are many illustrations for making these innovative creations and experimenting.

There is enough information in Wool'n Magic to keep you busy for years.    Now get out your knitting needles, crochet  hooks and stitchery needles and have a ball.  Wool'n Magic will surprise and delight you, it is a real find!