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