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monica
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 8:38am | IP Logged
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i bought a beautiful wool sweater a few years ago from a little old romanian lady. it is one of those rare gems, an artifact of a folk culture that is sadly passing away with the westernization of romania. i love it, but the problem is it is made for cold countryside living. i just melt in it here in my well heated home. and it is 100 percent wool, even little bits of sticks and straw still in it, so i have to wear a turtleneck under it so i dont go crazy with itching. i have probably worn it once or twice since i bought it.
i have an idea, but i dont know if it will work. it is a little bulky on me, if i washed it in hot water and it shrank and felted, do you think i could cut up the center and make a cardigan out of it? i have a wool cardigan that is perfect for chilly weather as i can unbutton or button as i am hot or cold. and the neck isnt so stifling either. do you think it would work? or would i ruin it?
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 10:25am | IP Logged
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Well, you could felt it ... depending on how much too-big it is. As far as whether you'd ruin it or not -- if you're not wearing it now, I think I'd do it and make it into something you or someone else could wear or use.
Place the sweater in a net laundry bag and put it in the washer with an old pair of jeans ... put it on hottest water and add a bit of mild detergent (I sometimes use shampoo!). Start the cycle .... after about 5 min, remove and see how much it's felted; continue to check every few minutes until you've got it just the "right size". Remove it and rinse with cool water until all the soap is out. Dry flat on a sweater rack or laundry rack that will allow it to have air all 'round.
Once it's felted, you can cut it all you want and the sts won't ravel. You can do like the Norwegians and sew a ribbon band for the opening -- this will also add an inch or so to the girth if you need it.
f, by chance, it doesn't felt right (ie, shrinks length not width or vice versa  ), you can always use the felted cloth for a purse or tea cozy or something that you would use all the time and thus remember both the lady and the folk craft.
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nissag
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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Great advice from Mary! I second everything she said. And please post a photo, if you can. I'd love to see that beautiful sweater!
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monica
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 10:57am | IP Logged
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thanks mary, i knew you would have advice. i too thought about putting an edge on it. how would you felt it with a front-loading washer? just put it on the shortest cycle?
ill post some before and after pictures
monica
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8kids4me
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 1:22pm | IP Logged
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I just found a pretty sweater at Salvation Army, and I am fixin to turn it into a purse. It's felted and ready to go.
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
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Monica -- I've never used a front-loader to felt, but I checked online and the prevailing advice is to do it a couple of times (fl's don't have the same agitation that a top-loader does). You could also do it manually in the sink ... what felts yarn is the severe changes in temp and agitation ... sounds like a GREAT way to work off homeschool-teacher stress  . And, I'm with Nissa -- please post photos (before and after) if you can!
Cindy B. -- will you post the felted purse? I did a fairisle vest that I hated when it was done . I felted it and turned the resulting fabric into a fabulous tea cozy and "matching" coasters for my MIL. She loves it and uses it all the time. And felted coasters are wonderful for drinks -- they don't stick to the damp glass AND they soak up the condensation!
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 2:03pm | IP Logged
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Monica, here is some advice from others who have felted in the fl:
Quote:
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Here are some things I have found helpful for felting in a front loader:
Use very hot water.
Since a front loader does not use much water, after the tub is filled, I add more very hot water with a large container. Also, the items to be felted generally soak up much of the water, so this helps tremendously.
Use 2 pairs of jeans to speed up the process.
Add a tiny bit of Eucalan soap.
When the water cools, remove the items to be felted (do not spin them or they might get creases which could be permanent),let the water spin out, and begin again.
My machine does not lock until halfway through the cycle, so I keep moving the dial to the beginning of the wash. That way, I can keep checking the progress.
Happy felting!
Sharon JayhawkKnitter
Seriously Hooked
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I have felted successfully in my front loader (a Whirlpool Duet) but it does, indeed, take longer; I put a Sophie bag out of Rdynolds Lopi Lite through four or five washings and it could probably stand another washing or two.
The suggestion to put it in with two pairs of jeans is a good one. I always throw in an old pair of tennis shoes that I keep around just for this purpose. You may wish to also throw it in the dryer for a bit, as well.
Felting can be done with a front loader; you just have to do it a little differently.
http://www.knittinhoney.blog-city.com
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BTW, you can't "felt" too much ... at a certain point, the wool won't shrink anymore. So, once you've got it to this point, you now have "washable" garment or object. However, since every yarn felts differently there is no hard-and-fast rule that it will shrink 10%, 40% or 75%! 
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MaryG
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monica
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| Posted: Dec 14 2007 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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sad news  the felting worked. . . a little too well. even after i cut it and made it into a cardigan the sweater is now above my wrists and too tight across the back. i decided to try and wear it anyway, but when i took it off, it was like i could finally be comfortable. sooo, now what can i make with it? i have heard of blankets, tea cozys, slippers, purses. does anyone have any websites with pictures or tutorials? (visual learner here) 
thanks for all the great advice. i dont really feel like its a loss as i wasnt using it anyway, so i hope to make some thing from it i will really use. thanks again for your help, ladies
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asplendidtime
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| Posted: Dec 14 2007 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Oh, what about a grandmother doll? I'm thinking of one of those lovely big 3 or 4 foot tall rag dolls, I'd sit her in a nice chair to welcome guests!  My grandmother had one of those wonderful dolls, I just LOVED it, my mum has it now. She had hair made of gray yarn in a bun, and a calico dress on.
Otherwise, I would make it into a nice bookbag/tote. Sorry the felting didn't work out.
Something like this:
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: help!! how to save a sweater
