Felt
Felting wool is an ancient skill, practiced by such legendary figures as Attila the Hun and Genhis Kahn, both known as “maker of felted tents.”
Felt is simply matted wool. Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to moisture, heat, and agitation. Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery, and causes tiny scales on the fiber to “open up”. With agitation, these fibers get intertwined and, when cooled and dried, the scales close and lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.
Felt is simply matted wool. Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to moisture, heat, and agitation. Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery, and causes tiny scales on the fiber to “open up”. With agitation, these fibers get intertwined and, when cooled and dried, the scales close and lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.
In her book Sweater Renewal, fiber artist Sharon Franco Rothschild outlines two methods of felting at home. Visit our Here’s How to… page for Felt.
