Felting instructions
Felting
This is a process that most of us try to avoid happening.
If three conditions - heat, moisture and movement - are present
when wool is washed, felt is the result. When undertaken in
controlled conditions, the wool fibres shrink and mat together to
create a very strong, water-repellent fabric with an interesting
surface texture.
Laying Out the Wool
Lay out 1 kg of washed and carded wool. Divide into three equal portions. Spread out the first portion so that the wool evenly covers the bottom of the cake pan, with all of the fibers running in the same direction. Place the second layer on top of the first with the layers at right angles to the layer beneath. Repeat with the third layer, arranging the fibers cross-ways to the layer below.
Wetting the Wool
Squirt a small amount of liquid detergent over the top layer of
wool. Then gently pour about a half cup of HOT water over the
wool.
Pressing Down the Wool
Press straight onto the wool pile so that the wool compresses into
a mass on the bottom of the pan. Add more hot water until all of
the wool is wet. Work around the edges, pressing down until all of
the wool is matted down.
Working the Wool
Hold the pan in one hand, while you gently massage the edge of the
wool with the fingertips of the other hand. Use your palm to gently
agitate the center. Slowly rotate the pan as you work. Keep rolling
the edge of the wool slightly inwards to give it a smooth, finished
shape. The soap will squish up between your fingers and the wool
will matt togther. After about 5 minutes the wool will begin to
firm up, and you can begin to work with a more vigorous circular
motion.
Turning the Felt
After about 10 minutes, the felt will hold together well enough to
turn it over. Tip the pan and gently flop the wool out into your
hand and place it upside down in the pan. Add more soap or hot
water if necessary, and continue working the wool as before.
Rinsing
Run warm water into the pan and pour off the soapy water. Then run
cold water over the wool and press the water out of it. It should
be round, about an eighth of an inch thick, and a little smaller
than the pan. It should be felt! If you continue working it, it
will grow thicker and smaller. Its not that you are losing wool,
its that you are losing air spaces.
Fulling the Felt
(You don't have to do this part) If you want the felt to be strong,
continue working the felt by running more hot water over it, and
rolling and squeezing it in your hands. The more you do this, the
"fuller" (thicker and stronger) it becomes.
Pressing and Drying
When you're finished felting you may want to use an iron (set at
"wool") to speed up the drying and flatten it out nicely.
Congradulations! You're done!
