FELT GOOD
A single wool fiber is made of scales. The scales are
designed to move dirt and moisture away from a sheep’s
body. They are also designed to keep sheep cool in the
summer and warm in the winter by allowing the scales to
open up or close down. Felting takes advantage of these
natural properties. When heat and moisture are applied
to the wool fiber, the scales open up. When the PH level
of the fiber is changed by adding soap the scales swell
and are transformed into a strand of hooks. When the
fibers are agitated together tangling occurs and it causes
the fibers to move closer together into a dense matt
(like dreadlocks). Submerging the piece into cold water
closes the scales and locks the fibers together.
The result is a permanently interlocked matt of fibers or felt.
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?
The process of felting is taking a lot of loose fibers
(knitted, woven, crocheted) and rubbing them against
each other when they are warm wet and soapy. The
scales open up and the fibers get tangled together;
when they cool down and the scales try to close
back to the shaft to form the fiber, they all lock
together into a fuzzy new arrangement that we call felt.
Technically, the process is fulling and the result is a
piece of fabric or felt.
More simply: HEAT + MOISTURE + AGITATION = FELT The heat and moisture come from hot water; the addition
of soap helps soften the fibers so they tangle together
more, which aids in the felting process. Agitation causes
the fibers to lock together; the longer you rub the piece
the denser it gets.
HOW DO YOU FELT?
You can felt in the washing machine or you can felt by hand.
WHY FELT BY HAND?
I like to felt by hand because I am able to witness the magic
transformation of knitted/crocheted yarn into felt. Felting
by hand keeps YOU in control of the felting process.
YOU can felt anywhere; this method does not require electricity.
YOU can stop the process when it is done to your satisfaction,
without running the risk of too much shrinkage.
YOU can change agitation directions so that felting happens
evenly; your project does not become distorted, and you can
achieve the shape you want.
YOU have the option of stopping the process at any point
to achieve the look you want; felt it a little so there is still
some stitch definition or felt it until you can’t see the stitches
at all.
YOU are literally making your own personal fabric out of
shrunken wool.
NUNO FELTING
Nuno felting is a Japanese fabric felting technique. It
melds loose wool fiber into a sheer fabric such as silk,
gauze or chiffon. Other fabrics or open weaves can
be used as the felting background, resulting in a wide
range of textural effects, transparency, texturing and
range of textural effects, transparency, texturing and
layering. This creates a lightweight felt that can totally
cover the background fabric or be used as a single
decorative design. Scarves and clothing drape well,
are flexible, airy, and will not stretch out of shape
like normal felt.
DO YOU LIVE IN THE JUNEAU AREA?HOST A CLASS IN YOUR HOME!! You and your friends can learn to felt a bowl, scarf, soap, beads and more! Everything comes in a durable washboard design plastic felting
bucket. You can hand felt soap, beads, scarves, hats, bowls,
purses, slippers, flowers, cloth, sweaters, and more.
Directions included with your purchase teach you how to hand felt,
wet felt and Nuno felt. Wet felt uses fleece, hand felting refers to
knitted or crochet projects made from wool and then felted.
Nuno felting is a Japanese fabric felting technique as described on
the first page.
All purse designs in the kit use the same basic pattern (knit or crochet)
but the style changes with each purse depending on your imagination,
the size, yarn color or texture, handles, embellishments and the
blocking shape you choose. You can enlarge, add a ruffle, flap, etc.
bucket. You can hand felt soap, beads, scarves, hats, bowls, purses, slippers, flowers, cloth, sweaters, and more. Directions included with your purchase teach you how to hand felt,wet felt and Nuno felt. Wet felt uses fleece, hand felting refers to knitted or crochet projects made from wool and then felted. Nuno felting is a Japanese fabric felting technique as described on the first page. All purse designs in the kit use the same basic pattern (knit or crochet)but the style changes with each purse depending on your imagination, the size, yarn color or texture, handles, embellishments and the blocking shape you choose. You can enlarge, add a ruffle, flap, etc. to change the look of each purse using one basic pattern. Be inventive and have fun. Keep all your supplies in your bucket between each use. Buying the bucket is just the first step-the rest is up to you and your creative juices!!
Grassroots Beadworx and Cheerful Pet Felted Toys also available here
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF HAND FELTING AND FEELING GOOD!
WHAT IS FELTING?
