Felting!

[indeliblesasha]

I am going to be felting tonight, for the very first time (on purpose ;).

I am doing the lopi tote (ravelry link, sign-in required) but I used 11 needles instead of 13, though I am knitting it veeeery loosely.

I have a front loader that can't be interrupted mid-cycle. Any tips on how to keep it from shrinking into a tiny little handbag instead of a moderate sized tote? Maybe do the wash with warm, instead of hot?

And is 7th Generation laundry soap okay to use?

Thanks!

Comments

[sedge]

The key to felting is AHA:

Alkalinity, Heat, Agitation.

Any soap or detergent will provide the first. You've got the heat part covered.

Agitation: Front loaders agitate less than top-loaders. You're more likely to need to run it through again than to need to stop mid-cycle. In fact, you'll be better off if you add jeans or heavy towels to increase the agitation.

Other option: get yourself a clean plunger and a bucket and use this method from Knitty. This is what I prefer to do, as another owner of a front-loading machine.

This is not to say that you can't felt with a front-loader - I've done it. But you're also not going to need to stop mid-cycle, in my experience.

ETA: Alkalinity makes all the little scales on the wool stick out more and catch hold of each other more easily.

[indeliblesasha]

Thank you :D I'll probably run it through with a load of jeans :D

[sedge]

And make sure to show us how it comes out!

[indeliblesasha]

Oh yes. <3

[beachlass]

I've felted in my front loader, and have had to run things through twice, rather than have them felt too quickly.

[indeliblesasha]

This is a pretty wimpy machine, too, I think you're both right. Makes it easier for me :D