How to Felt Crochet

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Place your crocheted project in a mesh lingerie bag

   Only add clothing with colors that won't run, and fabric that doesn't pill--otherwise your felted crochet project may come out a different color, or with other fibers embedded in the felted fabric. , If you have hard water, add baking soda or washing soda to the machine before you start it--check the box and follow the manufacturer's instructions. , Remember, you're creating a work of art, so it's up to you to decide just how much you want to felt the finished project.
   
   You can felt it lightly, with a very brief wash, to fuse just a few of the fibers--or felt the project until it shrinks and creates a thick, solid fabric. , Make sure to remove your project from the machine before the rinse and spin cycles begin. ,, Don't twist or wring the fabric, as that will stretch it out of shape. , You may need quite a few pins to create even, flat edges. , If it turned out a little larger than you expected, heavily felted fabric is so solid that you can trim it to size.
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   Step 2: or use a zippered pillowcase to keep loose fibers from escaping into your washing machine.

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   Step 3: Toss the bag or pillowcase into the washing machine

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   Step 4: along with 1 or 2 other pieces of sturdy clothing

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   Step 5: such as jeans

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   Step 6: to add extra agitation.

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   Step 7: Add a little bit of laundry detergent to the cycle--this helps the felting process along.

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   Step 8: Start the machine on the longest warm or hot water wash cycle it offers

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   Step 9: and check on your felt-in-progress every minute or 2.

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    Step 10: Wash the felted project as many times as necessary to achieve the desired result

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    Step 11: then remove it from the machine.

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    Step 12: Rinse your felted project in cool water to help "set" the fibers in place.

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    Step 13: Roll the felted project loosely in a towel to remove excess water.

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    Step 14: Stretch the fabric gently into the desired shape and use T-pins to pin it to a blocking board or on a dry towel stretched over clean carpet.

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    Step 15: Leave the felted project in place until it's completely dry.

Detailed Guide

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