Replies

1. 
   meg | Aug 06, 2006 01:45pm | #1

   There was an article in Threads once upon a time...  I remember the instructions for making your own boiled wool included the direction to wash in hot water, dry in a hot dryer three times.  If your wool jersey has nylon or another fiber in it, perhaps that would keep it from shrinking? 

1. 
   Dragana2 | Aug 07, 2006 02:49am | #3

   I rememer that article as well, but I cannot find it. I looked thru my collection.

   Perhaps Threads can advise which issue it was.

   Thank you, will inform all when I get the response.

2. 
   woodruff | Aug 06, 2006 07:45pm | #2

   Some wools will just not felt, like "shetland" wools. for example. I've had good luck with wools knits called "merino" by the vendor. Several of them came from http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com

   They shrank up wondrous well--lost a LOT of width, going from nearly 60" to 47."

1. 
   Dragana2 | Aug 07, 2006 02:52am | #4

   You may be right. It has to be the right wool and perhaps even the knit.

   I can buy Pure Merino Wool Jersey here in Australia but it is quite expensive and given I need almost 3 times the amount, it becomes a rather expensive garment.

   Will keep you informed.

   Thank you.

    

3. 
   knitwit | Aug 07, 2006 05:25am | #5

   A lot of the "boiled wool" you see today was originally a loosely knit or crocheted fabric.  100% wool felts best although a small amount of other fiber is usually okay.   Wool treated to fade or shrink generally will not felt.  Dark colors often felt better than light colors. It is not just the hot water that causes it to shrink; it is also the abrasive action--which is why loosely constucted fabrics felt better than tightly woven fabric-- and the temperature change when you rinse it in cooler water.  Add a small amount of detergent.

4. 
   paddyscar | Aug 07, 2006 05:48am | #6

   The Threads index provides the following articles:

   Articles found for "Wool, boiled":

   Article Title      Issue      Pages
   sources for       115       16-20
   QUESTIONS
   Reinforcing clipped seam allowances, sources for boiled wool and knit binding, protecting pockets

   Articles found for "Boiled wool":

   Article Title      Issue      Pages
   See Felt.           087        27
   edges and flat seams for

   Articles found for "Felted wool":

   Article Title                  Issue      Pages
   buying and making       078        10
   QUESTIONS  To buy or make felted wool?, more on copyrights

   cutwork                       080       60-63
   WOOL-JERSEY "CUTWORK"
   by Jean Cacicedo
   Slash, and then machine-wash and -dry wool jersey for lacey, cutwork-like effects

   Articles found for "Felting":

   Article Title                    Issue           Pages
                                         002             60-62
                                         004             78
   for children’s jackets      030             52-56

   HAND-FELTED JACKETS FOR KIDS   
   by Anne Einset Vickrey  
   Making seamless garments from a few wool fibers and a little soapy water

   needle-punching equipment, reviews of   Issue 110   Pages 76
   Fabric and Fit 
   FELTED-WOOL PATCHWORK
   by Therese M. Inverso
   A stylish vest from old sweaters techniques for    Issue 062  Pages  31-32

   techniques for    Issue  061   Page 32-35

   Design
   PIECE A PUZZLE COAT
   by Katherine Tilton
   Nonraveling wool and a simple shape are the keys to this weekend project
    

   wool jersey    Issue  109   Pages 70-73
   TWO TAKES ON FELTING WOOL JERSEY
   by Karen Tornow
   Exercise your creative options by shrinking wool jersey before, or after, embellishing with it

   Many of these are availabe from the publisher, but some may be available from your local library, if they have back issues of the magazines.

   Frances

    

1. 
   Dragana2 | Aug 08, 2006 01:11am | #7

   Thank you Frances, you are an absolute gem.

   Do you have your own index? If so, how did you set it up. It is on my "to do list".

   I would love to know what program and how you went about it.

   regards

   Dragana

    

    

1. 
   paddyscar | Aug 08, 2006 03:06am | #9

   Hi Dragana:

   There is an index to Threads.  Go to the red bar across the top of the screen, under the Threads banner and you can click on the following sections:

   Home

   Subscribe

   Current Issue

   Pattern Collection

   Tips & Tricks

   Magazine Index

   Books

   Gatherings Discussions

   Hope this helps,

   Frances

1. 
   Dragana2 | Aug 08, 2006 03:22am | #11

   Well, you just never stop learning.

   This is one of the reasons I love Gatherings, always someone there to help you.

   Thank you all. I will keep you informed on my quest to make boiled wool.

   Cheers

    

1. 
   HeartFire2 | Aug 11, 2006 05:52am | #12

   wool does actually not "shrink" in the sense that the fiber shortens. What happens to wool when it is AGITATED is that the microscopic scales on the fibers grab each other so to speak and cling to each other in a tighter bond. This is what makes the fiber look as if it has shrunk. its really only gotten more dense.the company SmartWool (they do longjohn undies and t-shirts etc) have chemically removed the scale so you can machine wash (agitate) these products and they don't 'shrink' (the technically correct term is "felt" or "full" ) So, there must be very aggressive agitation in order to felt wool. the agitation is more important than the temperature of the water.

2. 
   Dragana2 | Aug 15, 2006 07:16am | #13

   Thank you all for the wonderful knowledge and advice on boiled wool.

   After much research, visits to various local fabric stores and discussions I have come to the conclusion that I am better of buying ready made boiled wool.

   I have decided that it would be more economically friendly. I live in Melbourne, Australia and we have water restrictions. I feel guilty using so much water to felt some fabric.

   It has been a great learning experience.

   Regards

   Dragana

5. 
   PASDENOM | Aug 08, 2006 01:30am | #8

   Check the care label on the bolt. If it says it's washable it won't felt, but if it says dry clean only it probably will.

6. 
   LindaG | Aug 08, 2006 03:20am | #10

   Hi,

   Wool jersey that's been dry cleaned did not shrink as well as never cleaned fabric. I washed and dried an old wool jersey top/skirt outfit and a length of the same material that never got made up into the coordinating cardigan. The ex-outfit never achieved that lovely felted look but the unsewn length was soft and fuzzy. I wondered if the dry cleaning affected it somehow.

   Linda

7. 
   lilah | Aug 17, 2006 05:10am | #14

   I have knitted and felted a few things (hats, mittens).  I have accidentally felted other things, like sweaters.  Some wool is pretreated to prevent shrinkage and felting.  There are two things that help the felting process; temperature shock and agitation.  Some of the felting books suggest starting with really hot water, switching to cold water, always agitate briskly and even throw in a pair of heavy denim jeans.  Add a little detergent to cause the fibers to slip together more easily.  I have noticed that some people don't seem to get good results if their washer doesn't have an agitator.  The items I knitted started out huge and rather loosely knitted.  I put them through the washer three or more times, checking for correct fit by trying the item on between cycles.  Picture: DH wearing a dripping wet, wool hat.   What's actually happening in the process is that the individual fibers are drawing up and curling around each other and the scales that are on the surfaces of the fibers lock together.  Wool that is pretreated for shrinkage has a lot of these scales removed (chemically) or has been pre-shrunk.  There are several books about felting or fulling wool - most of them are included in the knitting books.