There are several methods of felting aka fulling. For this one I used my washing machine and dryer.

Step One: Knit item to be felted with wool and slightly larger needles then what you would use if you weren't felting the item.


Step Two: Turn up hot water tank to hottest setting. Place item in an old pillowcase and knot the open end. This keeps the loose fuzz from clogging up your washing machine.


Step Three: Place pillowcase in washing machine with a pair of hubby's old, torn, grass stained, painting jeans. Set machine to smallest load, hot water and turn on. This particular item was resisting the felting process so I had to aggitate the heck out of it for 30 minutes. Item should mat and shrink to approximately 2/3 of original size.


Step Four: Remove pillowcase from washing machine. Don't worry about hubby's jeans. He'll never notice the mildew stains amongst the paint and grass stains. Remove the balls of fuzz that have formed in the felted item and pillowcase. I next threw the item in the dryer, a major no-no among seasoned felters, but the darned bag just wouldn't felt enough. At least I didn't have to wait the usual four days for it to dry.


Step Five: Using a razor (electric or battery operated) shave the excess fuzz off the felted item. Word of warning to the ladies; don't use hubby's razor! You wouldn't think they'd get so upset over such a little thing but they do. Removing the excess fuzz allows the colours to look brighter, the felted fabric looks cleaner and generally more professional.


Step Six: Put finished item in your Etsy shop with a price tag of $150.00 and wait for it to sell.


Step Seven: Go knit another item and repeat steps one to seven.