May 2010

Felting is basically washing in knitted wool fabric in hot water with a little bit of detergent.  If the results aren’t as felted as you’d like, you can dry it in the dryer.  It’s that simple.   

You can then cut shapes and pieces out of the sweater and, using a needle-punching tool, you can join the felted pieces together to make various projects.  A tailor’s Awl is great for felting wool yarn onto the fabric for a design.  Sewing can be minimal as you use the punch to join the fibers.
You can knit your own wool and then felt it.  How about a comfy felted wool bathmat to warm your toes. Stuffed animals are a perfect project for felted wool sweaters.  Here are the cutest little Felted Sweater Wiener Dogs!

Or a patchwork scarf made of all your favorite sweaters.  Felted slippers are great, felted purses are fun.  Here’s a great tutorial on felted wool with lots of pictures and ideas.  Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see the cute felted typewriter!