How to felt using a washing machine
Having two homes – one in
Spain and one in Germany - I have had experience with different types
of washing machines for felting.
Felting is possible with all
types of washing machines I’ve met so far – no matter, whether they
are top or front loaders.
It is helpful to know your own
machine and what it does to your felting. If you are going to make
your first felted knit, please felt a test swatch first!
(Knit a swatch approx. 4
inches wide and 4 inches high and felt it according to this
instructions. Before putting it in the washing machine, make sure you
have recorded it’s measurements to learn about the shrinking factor!)
For some projects I prefer the
tumble dryer method described at the bottom.
If you have a top loader
If you have a top loader which
allows access without draining the water (typical north American) than
set the washer to hot wash, low water level and maximum agitation.
There is no need to use the rinse cycle.
The water shouldn’t be too hot – you are going to take your felted
object in and out several times. Add a small amount of a mild
detergent
If you have a top loader which
needs to run the full cycle (typical European machines) use the
instructions for front loader.
To protect your washer from
excess fiber, place the object in a zippered pillow cover or a fine
mesh bag.
Start the cycle.
After about five minutes check
on the progress. Be very careful, the water is hot! You might like to
use a pair of long-handled barbecue tongs to take out the protection
bag.
Remove the item from the bag to see what has happened so far.
Check again every few minutes,
resetting the washer to continue agitating if necessary. Do not let it
drain and spin.
When the size is right, remove
your item from the machine. Rinse it by hand in warm water.
Stuff it with scrambled
newspapers and let dry.
Warning: Felted knits are no
good last minute gifts! Depending on the items size it might take up
to 2 days to dry out completely!
If you have a front loader
Front loaders have one big
disadvantage: Once started you can’t stop the cycle. If you don’t have
experience with your washer, felt a test swatch first!
To
protect your washer from excess fibre, place the purse in a zippered
pillow case or a fine-mesh bag.
Set the
washer to a 60 ° C “Cottons and Linens” programme. This turned out all
right whenever I felted. Maybe you will need 2 cycles or one with
lower temperature. Test it or use the tumble dryer method described at
the end of this text!
Add a small amount of a mild
detergent
Start the cycle.
After the cycle has finished
remove the item from the bag to see what has happened so far. Maybe it
will need another cycle.
When the size is right, remove
your item from the machine.
Stuff it with scrambled
newspapers and let dry.
Warning: Felted knits are no
good last minute gifts! Depending on the items size it might take up
to 2 days to dry out completely!
Tumble Dryer Method
Most European washing machines
are front loaders which means you can’t stop the cycle once started.
If your item has shrunk enough before the end of the cycle – bad
luck.
If I need only a short time of
felting and shrinking I use the tumble dryer method.
Take a mild detergent (I
prefer olive soap) and wash your item by hand with hot water (careful!
Not to hot!). Rub it hard.
Rinse in warm water and put it
in your tumble dryer. Choose highest temperature and start.
Check every few minutes how
far the shrinking process has gone.
Take out if your item has the
size you want.
Stuff it with scrambled
newspapers and let dry.
Warning: Felted knits are no
good last minute gifts! Depending on the items size it might take up
to 2 days to dry out completely!
Books on felting |
