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Felt
Felting wool is an
ancient skill, practiced by such legendary figures as Attila the Hun
and Genhis Kahn, both known as "maker of felted tents."
Felt is simply matted wool. Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to
moisture, heat, and agitation. Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery,
and causes tiny scales on the fiber to "open up". With agitation, these
fibers get intertwined and, when cooled and dried, the scales close and
lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.
In her book Sweater Renewal,
fiber artist Sharon Franco Rothschild outlines two methods of felting
at home:
Felt With a Washing Machine
- Place your wool item in a pillowcase. This will
protect your piece an provide more friction
- Select a very short cycle to begin.
- Set the water temperature to warm.
- Add about 1/4 cup (60ml) of Ivory liquid soap, or any
dishwashing liquid with a low pH balance.
- Select the shortest spin sycle and the gentlest wash
cycle. Spinning the item for too long can distort the shape of the
piece, but it needs to spin a little so all the water comes out.
- Place the pillowcase with your item inside in the
washing machine. Start your washing machine. Do not felt more than one
piece at a time. After each cycle, take your piece out of the
pillowcase and check to see if you need to wash it again.
- When you have achieved the desired results, put your
item in the dryer (still in the pillowcase). Run the dryer on very low
or a now heat setting until the item is dry. Get out your scissors and
start cutting!
Felt By Hand
- Fill a sink or tub with warm water. Add a few
tablespoons of Ivory liquid soap, or any dishwashing liquid with a low
pH balance.
- Using your hands, agitate and rub the soapy piece
together with moderate force. You will begin to notice the fiber
becoming softer and fuzzier. Continue until your are unable to see the
stitches clearly, which means that the fiber is felting.
- When you are satisfied with the results, squeeze out
the water from you woolen item, roll it up in a towl, and squeeze out
all excess water.
- Place your felted piece in a pillowcase and put it in
the dryer. Run the dryer on
very low or a now heat setting until the item is dry. If you don't have
access to a dryer, hand your felted piece on a clothesline to dry.
Felting
Resources
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Felt With a Washing Machine
Felt By Hand
Felting Resources
Sweater Renewal
Felting Knits into New Sweaters and Accessories
by Sharon Franco Rothschild
Potter Craft, 2008
Sweaters that are
old, damaged or simply out of style can be recycled into new fashions
using the felting, appliqué, sewing, knitting and embroidery
techniques described in this book.
"You can recapture old memories and help save the planet by using old
blankers, men's sweaters, women's sweaters, children's sweaters, and
even hand-knitted sweater pieces," says author Sharon Franco
Rothschild. "The only requirement is that they be made out of wool.
The two dozen sample projects offered by Rothschild inlude simple
ornaments, camera cases and book covers as well as useful hats, purses,
scarves, pillows and stuffed animals. More advanced projects includes
sweaters, cardigans, jackets and pullovers. Three projects are included
for dedicated knitters - purse, phone holder, scarves - to knit first,
then wash and felt later.
The book includes projects for all levels of crafters, each accompanied
by step-by-step directions.
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How to Sew a Button
And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew
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