To felt wool in the washing machine, you place the wool item inside a protective bag, such as a pillowcase, and add other items like jeans for friction, then run it through a wash cycle. This process uses heat, water, and agitation to cause the wool fibers to interlock and shrink, resulting in a dense, felted fabric.
Understanding Machine Felting
Machine felting, also known as fulling, is a process that deliberately shrinks and condenses knitted or woven wool fabric. Unlike delicate washing, felting relies on the natural scales on wool fibers. When exposed to hot water, soap, and agitation (friction), these scales open up, catch onto each other, and bond together. The key elements are:
- Heat: Hot water helps open the fiber scales.
- Moisture: Water allows fibers to move and connect.
- Agitation: Friction from movement and other items tangles and locks the fibers.
- Soap (optional but helpful): A small amount of detergent can help lubricate the fibers, allowing them to move and felt more easily.
The Process: Using a Pillowcase and Jeans
Based on the provided reference, a simple method involves using a pillowcase and other items for friction.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Prepare Your Wool Item: Ensure your item is made of 100% animal fiber that can felt (superwash wool is treated not to felt).
- Place in a Bag: Put the wool item inside a sturdy bag, like a pillowcase. This helps protect the item and prevents loose fibers from clogging the washing machine drain.
- Add Friction: Add other items to the wash alongside the pillowcase. The reference suggests using one or two pairs of jeans for extra friction. This friction is crucial for the felting process.
- Set the Washing Machine:
- Use hot water for both the wash and rinse cycles.
- Set the machine to a high agitation setting (like a regular or heavy-duty cycle).
- Keep the water level appropriate for the load size.
- Do not add fabric softener, as it will prevent the fibers from bonding.
- Wash: Start the wash cycle. The process might take one or more cycles depending on the desired level of felting.
- Check Progress: Periodically stop the machine (before the spin cycle if possible) to check the item's size and texture. Felting is a gradual process, and it's easy to over-felt.
- Remove and Reshape: Once the desired density is achieved, carefully remove the item from the washing machine. It will be hot and likely misshapen. Rinse in cool water if needed.
- Block and Dry: Gently reshape the item to its intended form. You can stuff three-dimensional items (like bags or hats) to maintain their shape. Lay flat or hang to air dry completely.
Why Use Jeans?
Adding items like jeans provides the necessary agitation and friction needed to felt the wool effectively within the washing machine environment. The weight and texture of the jeans rub against the wool item inside the pillowcase, helping the fibers mesh together.
Important Considerations
- Wool Type: Only non-superwash wool or other animal fibers (like alpaca or mohair) will felt. Superwash wool is treated to resist felting.
- Testing: If possible, knit or crochet a small swatch of the same yarn to test the felting process before putting your finished project in the machine.
- Monitor Closely: Felting can happen quickly. Checking the item frequently allows you to stop the machine once the desired felted texture and size are reached.
Here's a summary of the key components:
| Component | Role in Felting | Example from Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Wool Item | The material being felted | (Implied) |
| Pillowcase | Protects the item and the machine | Put this into my pillow case here |
| Jeans | Provides crucial friction/agitation | Use one or two pairs of jeans |
| Washing Machine | Provides hot water and agitation | Throw it in the wash |
| Hot Water | Opens fiber scales | (Standard for felting) |
| Agitation | Causes fibers to tangle and lock together | For a little bit of friction |
By following these steps and utilizing items like a pillowcase and jeans for friction, you can effectively felt wool projects in a standard washing machine.
