How to Knit and Felt Anything by Kathryn Beach

These instructions are a Do-It-Yourself version of how to change a knitting pattern if you want to felt the finished product in a top loading washing machine. Since felting shrinks a knitted object, you will have to alter the pattern to make the object larger. Specifically,
you need to knit the object approximately 25% larger than the end result you want.

Example: I'm looking at a hat pattern with a finished circumference of 19 inches. If I want to change this to a felted hat, I have to knit it so it will measure 23.75 inches. This can be done in one of two ways, or a combination of both ways. It is up to you the knitter to experiment and figure out how you wish to do this with whatever pattern you are using.

One way is to experiment with larger knitting needles while knitting gauge swatches. First, knit a swatch using the needles recommended in your pattern. My pattern says 17 sts and 32 rows = 4"/10 cm in garter stitch with size 7 needles. If that doesn't work out quite right I use bigger or smaller needles until I get it right; then I knit another swatch with needles two sizes bigger. So if size 7s work out to be the correct gauge, I knit another swatch with size 9s. I continue adjusting my needle size until I get a swatch that is a 5" square. Now I know I have the right needles.

The second way is to adjust the pattern itself. If I am knitting placemats, for example, or something as simple (without complicated shaping), I may simply increase the number of stitches I cast on by 25%, and knit a total of 25% more rows. More complex patterns, such as those for a jacket, can be altered for felting, they simply take more complicated mathematical calculations.

Now for the yarn selection. I highly recommend 100% wool for felting. If you must use a blend, it must be at least 60% wool. Less wool usually means more washing time.

There are 3 things that felt wool: heat, agitation, and soap. For the proper agitation, it's recommended that you wash and dry your object to be felted along with an old towel or two or an old pair of jeans. I've never had any problem with colors bleeding or "fuzz" clinging to the towels, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

I use the smallest cycle possible and hot wash/cold rinse/hot dry settings. I put a small amount of laundry detergent in the wash, maybe 1/4 of the usual amount. Usually one wash and two dries does the trick. What I do is run the objects through the dryer once, and then check the measurements. If the object is still too big, I spray it with water to dampen it thoroughly, shape it a little if necessary, then dry some more, checking now and then until the size is right.

If you experiment first with your test swatches, you'll get the hang of this felting method quickly. I'm always available to answer questions if you need help. Enjoy this fun process and happy felting!

Kathryn Beach blogs about knitting and shares stories and patterns because she believes if you can write, you can knit. She also sells felted knit slippers [http://favorite-free-knitting-patterns.com/store-2/] in her online store. You can find her at home on an island in Washington or online in her knitting blog. [http://favorite-free-knitting-patterns.com]

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