What wool can I use to knit a bag that felts in the wash?

[justkeeponsmiling]

I have some instructions on how to knit a massively oversized bag which then shrinks and felts in the wash. Anyone tried this? Does it really work? I'm thinking of making some of them as xmas gifts for people so any suggestions of where to buy suitable (and affordable!!!) wool from would be great!
I'm hoping for some suggestions of online shops especially as I live in the middle of nowhere so have to get most "specialised"arts and craft stuff online

I have knitted several bags like this. Great fun and you don't have to worry about the tension!

I have used the felting wool from this site very successfully www.knitting4fun.com

But any pure wool which is not "superwash" wool should work but make sure the yarn is not too fine.

Eskimo by Drops is what I have bought specifically for felting. I've not used it yet but the product description says it's ideal for felting and it looks similar to the stuff I'd used before.

Woolwarehouse are very reliable and the Drops yarn is great value for money.

As I understand it, any wool that is not labelled as 'superwash' is fine (as Minnie says). I have seen the Knitting4Fun yarn that they sell for felting - it is very nice however, I am not sure how it differs from any other pure wool. Give it a try with something you have to hand and see how it ends up.

Plus, word of caution, always stitch your garment/item into an old pillow case for felting - if you don't your washing machine filter will bung up ... not nice.

Good luck.

Any natural wool 100% is fine. I used to use fluffy wool because it gave a wonderful texture.

Bear in mind that your garment will change significantly in size and shape - you need to be willing to put it in and out of the washing machine several times to get it just how you want it. Go slow becuase you can't "unfelt" something once it is a ball of fluff in the bottom of your washing machine drum!

I used to buy my wool for this from Ebay - practically any type of 100% wool from any animal works. If you get 2 or 4 ply just double it or treble it to get the thickness you want.

You can get some interesting textures if you mix in some yarn that doesn't felt.

What happens if you felt something with a cabled pattern?

It blurs the pattern somewhat, but it still looks good.

When I've tried felting cable patterns it has not been entirely successful - the cable "blurs" too much and loses definition. I thought it wasn't worth the effort of the cabling! Someone has just given me a pattern which has a cable panel set in a felted background. I may try that.

I agree with SDTG, mixing non felting yarn with the main yarn can be very effective. I've used Galaxy - the yarn with sequins in it -mixed with wool and that gave a lovely effect.

I suppose the secret is to experiment and see what happens!

I'm sitting here trying to crochet a woven cable pattern and I think it's too much trouble to then stuff it up by felting! :)

Lidl have some wool on offer - arrived in store today - that felts at a 60 degree wash, in several colours
felting wool
Would be a cheap way to experiment!