FELT: more projects and ideas

Another way to produce felt is to knit or crochet a loosely spun bulky yarn and then agitate it. To knit or crochet double the hook or needle size when making an item. For instance, if a project calls for a number five needle you would use a number ten, and so on. You make up the garment as usual and then subject it to agitation.

So if you have a slipper pattern you think would be great in felt, make it up at the larger needle or hook size. You produce a very weak looking, lacey article indeed; but then you can pop it into the washing machine and agitate it (remember the sweater?) until it is felted to the degree you desire. This is best done by agitating it for a few minutes and stopping the machine to check on the degree of felting that has taken place.

There are several articles and dirctions for knit and crocheted felt at: http://math.vanderbilt.edu/~cjs/patterns/

Try a swatch at the lerger hook size to check for proper shrinkage. I think this is a good idea, particularly if you work with homespun yarns as I do. They are subject to a great deal of variation in fiber, twist and the like and are more unpredictable in the felting process.

Other felt projects and instructions are at:
International Felt Makers
North American Feltmakers
Felt Makers List

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