| Haven't we all shrunk a wool sweater in the wash? | | | | you'd also need a rug hook, some hessian and a |
| You drop it in the washer and when you pull it out it's a | | | | wooden frame (and a lot more time and wool |
| perfect fit for your 4 year old. WONDERFUL!An | | | | strips).Maybe you would prefer cutting the sweater |
| amazing thing has happened - your wool has | | | | into strips and weaving them together - that could |
| thickened and 'felted.' Yes - when wool is subjected to | | | | make a very attractive cushion cover or table mat. |
| heat and pressure with soap, the fibers' scales rub | | | | You could also knit or crochet felted wool strips to |
| together and bond irreversibly. This new felt fabric will | | | | make |
| no longer stretch as it did, but will now hold its shape | | | | a really warm hat.See - there's no need to toss out |
| fairly firmly.No - unfortunately there is no way to get | | | | that sweater if you can recycle it. If you can't do it |
| your precious sweater back to its original state. A | | | | yourself, then ask someone else to help you or do it |
| felted fabric has been formed, which will not fray | | | | for you.If you decide on a larger project and need |
| when cut.Don't be disheartened. If you loved that | | | | more felted wool sweaters, try hunting in a thrift or |
| sweater so much in the first place, then maybe you'll | | | | second hand store - chances are someone else has |
| want to keep it and make it into something else.Here | | | | shrunk their sweater too and just got rid of it. If you |
| are some ideas of what you can make with your | | | | find a sweater in a color you like but it's not felted - felt |
| shrunken felted wool sweater: | | | | it yourself in your washing machine.So - don't cry too |
| mittensdiaper coverbaby dungareeshatcushion | | | | hard. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get |
| coverpurse or bagcat toysThis by no means is an | | | | crafting.Jill Wright is a work at home Mom and has |
| exhaustive list. Here are more ideas for using felted | | | | been crafting for many years. Jill owns a website |
| wool.If you have a few shrunken wool sweaters to | | | | dedicated to crochet and felting. You will find full color |
| use up, you may like to try making a quilt or patchwork | | | | instructions for how to crochet, crochet stitches and |
| blanket. Just cut your felted wool into pieces of the | | | | free original patterns. Discover felting and follow the |
| same size and shape (say 6 inch squares for | | | | color pictures illustrating felting by hand, or try felting |
| simplicity) and stitch together. You don't need to worry | | | | wool with your washing machine. Uncover how to |
| about fraying - it can't happen if your wool is felted | | | | make wool felt ropes and beads and turn them into |
| properly. Just stitch on a backing fabric and a bias | | | | fun earrings. Also included is information about yarns |
| binding to make the edges neater.If you're even more | | | | and fibers. Learn about taking care of your wool |
| ambitious you could try hooking a rug. To make a rug | | | | clothing too. |