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Original poster

What with all this talk of felting .....

63 replies

dizzyday07 · 10/03/2008 23:31

.... a question

Can you felt other 100% wool thinks besides knitted jumpers?

I only ask as I'm sure I have a shawl somewhere in a suitcase that is wool but as it's not used for its purpose could maybe made into something else

It's woven

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 11/03/2008 00:23

As far as I know, you can use anything which is made from 100% wool. The fibres will still shrink in the same way so I can't see why you wouldn't be able to.

GentleOtter · 11/03/2008 12:18

As long as it is not 'superwash' then it ought to felt wigwambam.
Perhaps you could felt it into a bag ?

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 11/03/2008 13:40

I managed to buy a sweater in the charity shop today that is 87% lambswool with a bit of angora thrown in too (from Monsoon you know!!)

Do I need to unpick it before I boil it? (just wondering in case in all sticks together)

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 11/03/2008 13:55

I'd unpick it so that you have separate pieces to work with. But I am a novice at such things and someone else may be along soon with more experience and some better tips!

Gingermonkey · 11/03/2008 14:30

Shawl should be fine Dizzy.

What do you mean by unpick?

To felt - chuck the jumper/shawl/thing in the washer, with a ball or 2 to rough up the fibres and normal washing powder, wash on a hot wash (60 is fine), and then once it's finished check the fibres by snipping into the jumper - if it frays wash it again, if it doesn't it's fine. Dry it - either on low in a tumble drier or by line, then iron whilst still damp and you've got some felt

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 11/03/2008 14:45

I meant unpick the front from the back and take the sleeves off - to keep the pieces seperate

I've just looked and its 70% Lambswool, 20% Angora, 10% Nylon and says cool hand wash so now don't know if it will felt!!

I've just had a thought that I probably put the shawl out for the last charity bag through your door collection

So not having a good day - will go back to making curtains - its easier!!!

OP posts:
Gingermonkey · 11/03/2008 14:55

No - keep it all in one piece. That should felt ok, it may take a couple of goes but usually as long as the % of wool is pretty high you'll be fine. Good luck!!!! (I'm consulting Betz White's book as we speak and she says with one or 2 sweaters keep the water level in the machine low, and that other animal fibres - such as mohair and angora felt when combined with wool)

meridian · 12/03/2008 09:54

DH accidentally felted my fav purple hat so i might try to make another little flower brooch... as i don't want to just throw it away... then i really must get around to commenting on blogs.. oh and i have to organize a give away of some sort. don't worry it wont be anything i sew

lucykate · 12/03/2008 10:07

just a quick note about felting, anything wool will shed a lot of fibers in the washing machine, which can clog up the drainage pipe. i've been putting mine inside an old pillow case, with a tennis ball, so the fibers are collected inside and can be scooped out and chucked away.

dizzy, betz white advises to unpick, take the sleeves off etc, but i have to admit, i don't, i just chuck it in as it is. i did one last week that is 68% lambswool, 30% angora, and 12% polymide (it has a glittery thread in the knit), and although it hasn't fully felted, it's felted enough to still use, it doesn't unravel when you cut into it.

2sugars · 12/03/2008 10:13

DDs have felted, many a time! In fact, I spent a small fortune at Christmas at Pavi Yarns, only to discover they'd moved on to tie-dyeing at their craft club.

Pavi do kits for children, or you can buy the wool separately. It's a really nice site - especially if buttons are your bag. I had a cataloge from a v. expensive retailer the other day, and want to make heart shapes threaded with mother-of-pearl buttons to sell at the school fair - which they were selling for a ridiculous amount.

wwb, long time no banter! How old is dd now?

vInTaGeVioLeT · 12/03/2008 10:48

the only woolen items i can find are 100% machine washable lambswool but apparently they won't felt

lucykate · 12/03/2008 12:00

i'd just give one a try vintage, if it's a charity shop buy, you've only got a few quid to loose.

the ones i've got here all say either dry clean or handwash only.

i've got a 100% wool woven skirt, it was £4 in charity shop, originally from boden, nice fabric, brown and turquoise, can't wear it as it's a size 10 (i'm a 12, can't even get it over my arse hips), do you dare me to felt it?!! i did buy it to chop up.

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 12/03/2008 12:17

Well I did unopick it and it went inside the machine in a pillowcase but seemed to make its way out!! I "washed" it on the highest temp. setting on my machine, added powder and a couple of eco balls for agitation.

It hasn't been wholly successful as it still unravels a bit on cutting - I think it may be the nylon in it.

But I'm drying it now and then see what it looks like. It might be OK to use if I line it and cover the seams

OP posts:
lucykate · 12/03/2008 12:23

dizzy, try washing it again, mine always take 2 washes to felt. my machine does have a 95 degree setting but it doesn't work, the water is just cold, so i normally do 2 washes at 60. lots of soap too, wool has natural greasy stuff (can't remember the technical term) in it to protect it, the soap breaks this down and aids the felting process.

Gingermonkey · 12/03/2008 13:13

lanolin's the greasy stuff, LK.

I dare you to felt your skirt...go on!!!!

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 12/03/2008 16:48

Well its been in again - on 60 this time with a whole heap of powder.

[I think my eco credentials have taken a battering today!!]

It seems to have changed a little bit so unsure whether to try it again or just use it as it is ??!!

OP posts:
lucykate · 12/03/2008 17:33

dizzy, if this helps to compare, this is a close up of the bag i made, you can just about see how 'felted' it is, it was a grey marl knitted cardigan.

well, i've cut the skirt in half, kept half as it is, the other bit is in the machine along with 2 more jumpers picked up this afternoon. also got 2 sheets with a nice retro pink print on them to chop up.

FioFio · 12/03/2008 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 12/03/2008 17:41

LK - it's nowhere near as close in texture as yours!!

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzyday07 · 12/03/2008 17:42

FioFio - I think you'd only have me attending as everybody else seems to know what they are doing!!

OP posts:
Califrau · 12/03/2008 17:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vInTaGeVioLeT · 12/03/2008 17:48

i'm a felting virgin too!!!
i'm going to get one of the jumpers i saw (doubt they'd sell as very ugly jumpers!!!) won't be a total loss as it had some fantastic buttons on [saddo]

bundle · 12/03/2008 17:53

have seen some tops but never ventured...be gentle with us fio

lucykate · 12/03/2008 19:23

i have a load of merino fibes fio, have only made balls with them so far, i'm good with balls

well, my felting for today is done, the skirt has felted up lovely, one of the jumpers, a tan one, has shrunk so much i pmsl when it came out of the machine!

lucykate · 12/03/2008 19:24

fibres not fibes, oops!