How to Felt Wool by Hand

Learn the process of felting wool by hand.

You need three things to felt wool: hot water, soap and agitation. While you can effectively make felted wool in a washing machine, you can also felt small items like hats or slippers by hand. This method takes some human power and a few household items, but it works just as well as a washing machine.

Things You'll Need

• Bathtub
• 5 g large bucket or container
• 100 percent wool item, knitted or crocheted
• New or clean toilet plunger
• Hand dish-washing soap
• Clean towel
• Tennis balls (optional)

Instructions

1. Put the bucket or container in a bathtub and fill it halfway with hot tap water.

2. Add a small squirt of dish-washing soap to the bucket and swish it around.

3. Submerge the wool item into the water. Add tennis balls if the item is small. The tennis balls add agitation to the water.

4. Put the plunger inside the bucket and start plunging. This action is the agitation needed to felt the wool.

5. Remove the item after a few minutes to check your progress. If it is felted to your satisfaction, you're done. If not, return it to the bucket and keep plunging.

6. Remove the item from the bucket when it is done and gently press out some of the water. Spread it out on the clean towel to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• You must use 100 percent wool yarn for successful felting.

• Wool labeled "superwash" does not felt because it has been treated to avoid felting and shrinking.

• If the bucket slips around in the tub, secure it with a towel.

• You can add more hot water if it gets cold or splashes out of the bucket.

References

• Knitty: Felting in the Old Way, Sort of
• You Tube: How to Felt Without a Washing Machine