Felting question

[upc2000]

I haven't felted anything yet, and we are getting a new washier here really soon.

Does the front loader work well for felting?

[Bobbie77]

I felted for the first time the other day. My educated guess would be that it's not any different from a top loading one.

[MaryPat]

I haven't felted anything yet, and we are getting a new washier here really soon.

Does the front loader work well for felting?

 

I hope you get more expert opinion than mine. I've heard that a front loader doesn't work as well because agitation is so important for felting. A front load doesn't agitate, it rolls the clothes over and over.

[Krakovianka]

I have a front loader and have felted many things. It does help to toss in an old towel or something for the sake of friction. I've never been displeased with the way my washer works, but you do have to be aware that you can't stop the process once it's going. But--there are shorter cycles, and I'm pretty brave about taking my chances. I happen to like very hard felting that virtually eliminates stitch definition. If you prefer lightly felted items, a front loader might be disappointing.

[Lisaizme]

I don't think you have to use a washing machine. Now I haven't tried this, but I think I've read that you can felt in the sink with hot water and agitation. I googled "felting in the sink" and here's a couple of the many many links that came up.

 

http://knitting.about.com/od/felting/ss/hand_felting_2.htm

 

http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=19756

 

(sorry bout the knitting links.. but hey, it's all felt and fiber right?)

[upc2000]

So should I break out the wash board?

 

 

I don't think you have to use a washing machine. Now I haven't tried this, but I think I've read that you can felt in the sink with hot water and agitation. I googled "felting in the sink" and here's a couple of the many many links that came up.

 

http://knitting.about.com/od/felting/ss/hand_felting_2.htm

 

http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=19756

 

(sorry bout the knitting links.. but hey, it's all felt and fiber right?)

[Lisaizme]

I don't think you have to use a washing machine. Now I haven't tried this, but I think I've read that you can felt in the sink with hot water and agitation. I googled "felting in the sink" and here's a couple of the many many links that came up.

 

http://knitting.about.com/od/felting/ss/hand_felting_2.htm

 

http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=19756

 

(sorry bout the knitting links.. but hey, it's all felt and fiber right?)

 

So should I break out the wash board?

 

Or the alternative non-electric washer http://www.wisementrading.com/washing.htm

 

:lol

[julietteb]

Let me tell you I felted my first 3 items in the sink and it was HARD work. I was exhausted. I did not use my washer because it is a top load with no agitator but after the hand felting I threw in a pair of crappy jeans and let her rip. It worked wonderfully.

[losingmymind2]

The plunger or potato masher method gives you control for items you want lightly felted, but I know people who use a front loader and say it works well.

[Lisaizme]

And it will depend on the yarn that you're felting too.. some felt much easier than others.

[upc2000]

Cool thanks!

 

I guess I'll have to find a uses for the washboard then.

Maybe I'll just have to hang it on the wall.