How to Felt a Wool Sweater

Felting is an easy and simple process that can add an interesting texture and look to a piece of knit fabric. Learn more about how to felt a wool sweater by following these suggestions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 100 percent wool sweater
• Washing machine
• Dryer
• Laundry soap

1. Find a 100 percent wool sweater. You can find wool sweaters at the Salvation Army and other thrift stores very inexpensively. If you plan to wear the felted sweater, be sure to buy a couple of sizes larger than you normally wear, as the sweater will shrink in the felting process.

2. Wash your sweater in the washing machine, either alone or with a towel or pair of jeans. Wash the sweater on the hot/cold setting with a small amount of liquid or powder detergent, about 1/4 cup.

3. Dry the sweater and any other items (if desired) on the hottest setting your dryer offers. Be sure to dry the sweater completely, then wash and dry the sweater two more times.

4. Remove the sweater from the dryer after repeating the wash/dry cycle three times. Check the sweater to determine if it has felted properly; take a pair of scissors and snip a very small indentation into an inconspicuous area in the hem of the sweater. If it does not fray, it has completed the felting process. If it does fray, repeat the wash/dry cycle one more time.

Tips & Warnings

• 100 percent wool will work best, but a wool blend with more than 50 percent wool may work as well, although not as well.