The Art of Felfs by Cat Bordhi

Hi! Leanne here! This past January at TNNA I had the honor of meeting legendary designer Cat Bordhi at the Frog Tree Yarn booth where she was plugging her latest book, The Art of Felfs. After chatting for only a few minutes, we had brainstormed half a dozen ways to get Felfs onto feet of all shapes and sizes across the globe. But it's not just about creating a Felf-craze (although let's face it, a world where everyone wears felted elf slippers would be AWESOME). Cat is donating ALL of the proceeds of this e-book to research that is being done to cure cancer. That is no small feat, and we jumped at the chance to become part of Cat's effort in helping to fund this potentially life-saving research. While the book is available only as an e-book (which can be purchased on Ravelry or Cat's website), we have created 3 kits of some of our favorite Felf styles to make it easy peasy for you to get started on the Felf project of your choice! We will continue to add kit options from the book for the next several months, because, well, Felf knitting can be a bit addicting. ;) The Art of Felfs is only $20 and includes 15 stylish Felf patterns, plus invaluable tutelage in the art of felting and customizing the Felf template to make these cozy feet-warmers one-of-a-kind.

Cat was kind enough to write an informative introduction to The Art of Felfs, where it all began, and the research we can all help fund in some small way, so I'll let her take it from here!

Happy knitting and Felfing!
-Leanne

The Art of Felfs

A week or so before my E-book, The Art of Felfs: Felted Footwear for Families, was released, I had a life-changing talk with my friend David Krag, MD, world-renowned cancer researcher, optimist, and Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Vermont Medical School. David is perhaps the most intelligent and well- rounded human being I have ever met, and also has a degree in music. Here he is playing his saxophone.

David

David explained that the cancer treatment that his research team has been developing for many years is finally ready for clinical trials. This treatment is as kind as chemo is cruel. It targets the tumor so exclusively that the rest of you remains whole and healthy. Once sufficient funds are in place, the trials will begin, leading to the possibility for people all over the world to have this treatment instead of chemo. David introduced sentinel node detection over a decade ago, and one million women have benefited from it. He has a great track record.

Lots of First Felfs

It took me only moments to decide to donate 100% of my book’s income to David’s lab to help save lives, rather than keep this income to support myself. I knew, just as you would have in my place, that this was an opportunity to make a huge difference.

Vaquero Felfs

Here is my dream: one by one, knitters will buy The Art of Felfs and fully support this research through the clinical trial phase. (To donate directly to David’s lab, visit Felfs.com, where you’ll also find links for more information about the treatment.)

Striped First Felfs

There are more than enough knitters in the world to replace the brutal landscape of chemotherapy with the flower-filled meadow of David’s gentle and perfectly targeted treatment.

First Felfs

No one needs to do much if enough of us do something…please join us by doing something.

Cowboy Felfs

I have diverted a major part of my income to David because I believe in what he is doing. I come from medical family and have had cancer twice myself (now twenty years ago). I know David and his team will see this through and change how cancer is treated even if knitters do not create a groundswell of funding, but if we can, it will happen so much faster. Then you and your loved ones will have his treatment if and when you need it.

Fairy Legs Felfs

Please help spread the word to your friends. If you buy the book on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-art-of-felfs) you have the option of using the gift button to send it to a friend.

Here is what your money can do in David’s lab:
• $20 (1 book, 1 knitter) will buy a bottle of the special media (food) for the immune cells they are growing.
• $100 (5 books, 5 knitters) will buy the special reagents (chemicals) needed to test for anti-cancer antibodies produced by a cancer patient’s lymph node.
• $1000 (50 books, 50 knitters) will pay for the materials and researcher time to produce an anticancer vaccine.

The Art of Felfs is a PDF download which you can store and use on any and all digital devices you own. I think you will really like the book! Felfs are a carefree joy to knit. Knit flat in garter stitch and then folded and sewn before felting, even a child can calculate how to fit any foot (in the photo below, those are Felf Pockets...they act as a unit of measurement to produce perfect foot length).

Felf Pockets

You can make Felfs small enough to fit a doll or oversized enough to be a baby’s bunting or a cozy bed for your cat or dog. Please send Jimmy Beans Wool a photo when you do that! I can’t wait to see! If you’ve never felted before, beware: it is addicting and easy. The book (see pages 12-13) offers a variety of methods, from using a washing machine to not needing one at all.

Ballet Felfs

In other words, you can have fun eliminating chemo. And someday you can tell your grandchildren, “I was one of the knitters who made it happen.”

You will find all the Felfs you see in this blog post, and other styles as well, in the book, along with the patterns and clear instructions on everything. There are also Youtube video tutorials to guide you through folding and sewing.

Raven Felfs

My friends, Chet, Tricia, and Jim Petkiewicz at Frog Tree Yarn make the wonderful Ewetopia Yarn that I have used for nearly every pair of Felfs in the book. They were also part of my conversation with David, and made a significant direct donation to his lab because they also believe whole-heartedly in what he is doing.

I have made some charts to show you how much Frog Tree Ewetopia you need for several styles of Felfs for just about any size foot there is. Jimmy Bean Wool is offering kits of the yarn for the Raven, Ballet, and First Felfs and they are also happy to help you choose yarn for the Felfs of your choice!

Thanks so much for joining me in this project and happy Felf-knitting!

Cat Bordhi