Felting is Fabulous

Felting really is fabulous! And magical! One of the reasons Felted Button exists is because I love felting my crochet designs--with colorful button adornments, of course, too. But here are six reasons why I love felting so much...
 

1. Mistakes can easily be hidden so there's less frogging and professional finish work required. And it's almost impossible to mess up when felting. 

It's Stashing Tote Crochet Pattern by Susan Carlson of Felted Button

Download the pattern on Etsy

2. The fabric is dense and strong--perfect for rugs, bags (that don't need to be lined), slippers, belts, and home decor. Here's a creative idea I came up with using felted grannies:

A yardstick/meterstick sleeve! It was quick to make and holds them perfectly. I made a little vine-like tie to hang them. Ta-dah! It's perfect. And colorful--but that's for #3.

3. The wool colors stay vibrant and there are so many happy ones from which to choose.

Download the pattern on Etsy

And, again, a perfect fabric for rugs--super durable and easy to wash (Heck, it's already felted so no worries about it shrinking. If anything it serves to reshape and improve it.) And did I say, vibrant colors!?

Because the fibers bind so tightly to each other--NO ENDS TO WEAVE. You just neatly trim them after you are complete. No excuse for not using all of the color you want!

 

5. The fabric is so forgiving. You can form and tug and pull while damp to get to the desired shape and dimensions. Just rewash/dampen it if you want to change it a bit. And it is really easy to stitch into--adding embroidery, buttons and straps--like I did on this nifty cross-body bag.

Download pattern on Etsy

6. You can felt really large items (best done in a washing machine) or teeny ones that can be done by hand at a sink or in a bowl in minutes. The little bits can be added as terrific embellishments for gloves, hats, and other pieces.

Ribbed Wristers crochet pattern by Susan Carlson of Felted Button

Download pattern on Etsy

I have two different FREE felted projects for you to try your hand at felting. All you need is some bits of feltable wool (I prefer 100%), a crochet hook, some hot water and a wee bit of soap. (By the way, superwash wool will NOT felt--it has been treated so it won't respond to the heat and agitation which causes wool fibers to bind to themselves.) 

Berries and Blooms Garland crochet pattern by Susan Carlson of Felted Button

Download pattern on Etsy

It's called Berries & Blooms Garland, and it is in a tidy PDF with felting instructions included. 

Or you can try these Wee Felted Blooms:

Wee Felted Blooms crochet pattern by Susan Carlson of Felted Button

Before felting.

After felting.

The pattern is found right HERE on my blog and is super quick and fun. Although I turned these into a colorful little bunting, I think they would make terrific embellishments for a hat, gloves, headband, or home storage.

Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

| On the Board | -- The course of our lives is not determined by great, awesome decisions. Our direction is set by the little day-to-day choices which chart the track on which we run. ~~Gordon B. Hinckley