Felting trial

[enmac]

I did my first felting attempt on the weekend. I wasn't too sure about the yarn I had, so I just did some crocheted squares to start with. I had three different types of 100% wool, but only one of them worked (Panda Woolbale). The other two just got a little fuzzy (they were Paton's fireside and cleckheaton Country 8-ply I think). Not sure if these are only available in Australia.

 

I put the squares in a zippered bag and just threw it in the washing machine and let the cycle run all the way through. There is still a bit of stitch definition so I may run it through again and see how it turns out. I didn't use any soap which I have seen recommended in some places.

 

The fireside was recommended to me as suitable for felting by the woman at my lys, so I'm not sure whether to try again with it, or be satisfied with the wool that does work.

[Guest SamplerLady]

Fulling (what is done to yarn fabric) (felting is done to wool before it's knitted, crocheted or woven) requires three things: agitation, temperature changes, and a change in pH. Adding soap or vinegar to the water changes the pH. When the wool goes through the washing machine cycle it should wash in one temp and rinse in the opposite. So wash in HOT and rinse in cold or vice versa. The agitation is provided by the washing machine. Additional agitation can be created by adding sneakers, tennis balls or other hard washable items to the machine. Some people use jeans.

 

Some wools require more than one run through the washer process while others full or felt quickly on one try.

 

As for stitch definition, it depends on how loose the stitches were before fulling. If one crochets or knits loosely or with a larger hook, there will be more fulling. If one has tight tension or uses a smaller needle or hook, there will be less fulling.

 

Hope that helps. Fulling is lots off fun and produces a nice useful water resistant fabric.

[Donna]

Wow! Thanks for the term correction, SamplerLady! I did not know that. I Googled and found a good article on it: Fulling and Felting. But here's another that I think shows why so many of us (including myself!) are confusing fulling and felting: Mistake or Miracle: Fulling Your Knitted Garments. I'm glad I know now!

[Donna]

Ooh, and I'm glad to know about crocheting loosely, too! I probably would have done just the opposite. :b

[RebeccaVelasquez]

wow! thanks for the info. i haven't given this a second thought to try because i didn't understand it all.... i may have to do something now....

great, here i go again :evil

[enmac]

Thanks for all the help! I am going to try again with my successful wool worked more loosely.

[enmac]

I tried some more sample squares on the weekend (same yarn, different hook sizes) The one worked with the largest hook was by far the most successful. I think I am ready now to try something more interesting than squares.

<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/ura1.gif" /> I would never have imagined how exciting this could be.

[Guest SamplerLady]

Isn't it fun to learn something new and have it actually work? :bigsmile