The Joy of Felted Knitting

I have always enjoyed making things. Knitting and crocheting were some of the first crafts I learned when I was young. It was thrilling to be able to make something that was actually useful! I kept it up over the years, but have to say that I found larger projects sometimes a bit tedious (I think it's the sitting still part or perhaps I'm too goal oriented?)

A few years ago, I learned about felting online as I was looking for Christmas craft fair projects to make. I had a go making a hat. It was love at first make! The combination of the beautiful colors of the wool all merging together, the solid feel of the felt and the durability and appealing shape of the hat was magical. I really love hats and to be able to make such a nice one so easily was very exciting!

I've tried a plethora of crafts and techniques but keep going with only a few. They have to pass the "big results for small time spent and interesting along the way" test! (I have GREAT respect for the people who do the ones I've tried and dropped! Bless you all!)
Felted knits have kept my interest - they're fairly quick to do, tons of fun and very satisfying!

Simply put, a knitted project, made with wool is "processed" (there are a few methods to use) and the knitting is transformed into felt. This means the wool fibers have locked together and the item becomes more solid rather than made up of individual yarn stitches. The item can be felted a little or a lot - the more it's felted, the smaller and more solid it becomes.

Imagine your wool sweater washed in hot water - Yikes! It has been felted!

Before and after photos of a pink wool hat I knitted then felted.....

Here's my hooked rug and hooked picture. They're made with fabric strips. I made 2 rugs, and don't know if I will make another one! The hooked picture went a little quicker, and I have since made 2 more. I might make more.
The rug is an example of a craft I tried and found quite laborious - although, I loved the results!