How to Felt Knitted Bags
Felting your knitting project is a great way to change the texture of your bag. Instead of a knitted bag with identifiable stitches, you can create a thick, sturdy bag with a definite shape and unique look. Begin with a bag made of 100 percent wool. The properties that make wool shrink in hot water are the same properties that make it the perfect fiber for felting. Once you've felted a bag or two, you can try all kinds of variations to make completely different projects every time.
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Things You'll Need
- Knitted bag of 100 percent wool
- Zippered pillowcase cover
- Washing machine
- Gentle detergent
Instructions
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Put your completed knitted bag into a zippered pillowcase cover and zip it shut. This keeps yarn from getting all over your washing machine during the felting process.
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Set your washer to run for the smallest cycle with hot water.
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Add 1 to 2 tbsp. of gentle detergent as the washing machine fills with hot water.
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Place your zippered pillowcase cover, with the knitted bag inside, in the washing machine.
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Check your bag after 5 minutes. Wool can felt quickly and should be checked often to make sure it doesn't felt more than you want it to. If it needs to felt more, put it back in the washer for another 3 to 5 minutes.
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Remove your bag from the washer once you're satisfied with the felting process. Your knit stitches should no longer be visible. Instead, your bag will look fuzzy. You can let the washer finish its cycle.
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Give the bag form by placing on a sturdy object, such as a plastic storage bowl or box. You can also stuff your bag with plastic grocery bags instead.
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Stretch the bag over the form until it's smooth and the shape you want.
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9
Let the bag dry completely before removing from the shape form. This may take 1 to 3 days.
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Tips & Warnings
Knit your bag with 100 percent regular wool. Super wash varieties have been treated so they don't felt or shrink. Place your wet felted bag in the sun to quicken drying time.
Don't run the spin cycle while your bag is felting. This may create permanent creases in it.
