do different stitches felt differently?

[leesespieces]

i made a bag in all single crochet once and i remember it shrunk way more horizontally than it did vertically. i just felted a bowl i made with double crochets and patons SWS (which might make a difference too because i've heard it shrinks a lot more), and it seems to have remained pretty equal in proportions, it just shrunk to about half its size after one run in the washer.

 

i want to devise a crochet felted pattern for this purse:

 

and i'm thinking that if double crochet makes it shrink more evenly, that would make this ULTIMATELY easier. am i right???? anyone have any ideas on the pattern too???

[smokeyp81]

I ususaly use half-double crochet when I make anything to felt. The stitches need to be more open in order for it to felt well. I also find that mine felt more verticaly than horizontaly.

 

The yarn makes a huge difference too. I found that the Patons sws felts super fast....be very careful and take it out often to check. I have used all different kinds of wool yarn to felt and I find that they all felt differntly. When I make anything to felt, I try to use all of the same brand of yarn...I didn't one time, and one section felted faster than another.

 

I can't help you with the pattern. I am at work and Flikr is blocked as being a porn site! LOL

[angieInCA]

I agree with Heather.

 

I use a very loose HDC on everything I felt. It gives the most consistant results. I have found that all yarns felt differently especially across manufacturers. So my best advise is that when felting if the final projects size and look is extremely important then make a test swatch in the yarn you intend to use, measure it, then felt it and then measure it again and figure the ratio of shrinkage so you will know how to adjust your pattern.

 

If the final result is not crucial, I use the one third guesstimation method I figure all my yarns will shrink by one third so I adjust my patterns accordingly. I have never bee disappointed in my final result.

[Lisaizme]

That is a gorgeous bag. I don't know if it's the color or what.. but it's a great hobo style bag.

 

I have a instruction book that is nothing but crocheted purses and the author mainly uses stitches in the Front Loop or Back Loop only. And she also recommends an M hook.

 

I've finally come to the conclusion, after talking with other crocheters, that the large hook and FLO/BLO stitches are to allow for plenty of room for the stitches to move and bind together during the felting process.

 

I have used Lionbrand Wool and Paton's Merino in the same bag with good results. They felted at about the same rate. Moonlight Mohair used as a carryalong also felts and gives a pretty sparkle. Haven't tried Paton's SWS yet.

[goodie2shoes]

I just know I used a similar shaped bag when it was finally felted post here.. I used the market bag pattern with a much...much larger in the opening for the handle , I guess what I am trying to say is if you make this bag make the handle opening much much larger because when it is felted it will be tiney tiny, this one had a huge opening and after felting is barely large enough to accomodate one hand comfortably.

In answer to your question I too have had success with a half double fairly loose.

[happy stitcher]

Hmmmm....

I've been making a bag out of DC. It's not so far gone that I couldn't frog it and start over with HDC, though....

Is that what you all suggest? It's a tote bag style bag, not a hobo.

 

Leesespieces, that bag is beautiful! I hope you post a picture when you make yours!

[goodie2shoes]

Hmmmm....

I've been making a bag out of DC. It's not so far gone that I couldn't frog it and start over with HDC, though....

Is that what you all suggest? It's a tote bag style bag, not a hobo.

 

Leesespieces, that bag is beautiful! I hope you post a picture when you make yours!

I wouldn't frog it DC works too it all depends on your yarn how it felts etc until you try you won't know. It all looks very large and weird before felting. Do you have enough yarn to do a swatch and felt it??? Measure your swatch before and after felting, it might also give you an idea how that particular yarn and stitch will look felted.

[happy stitcher]

Thanks!

I've decided to just give it a go.

I did make a swatch, but I was considering a Haekelbeutel at the time, so I did a granny square swatch. The bag is in rows.

 

I'll post a picture when I'm done!