Making Felt

As if I didn't have enough projects going, today I just HAD to stop in The Strand on my way home and find (and buy) a copy of Simply Felt. Ah, inspiration, thy name is felt! No knitting up a piece and tossing it in the wash, either; no, this book teaches the traditional art of feltmaking, fiber to felt using only water, soap and good ol' handpower. For a non-sewer like me, feltmaking is an amazing way to both use up fiber stash and create clothing without having to sew a stitch. I have a three-pound bag of white and brown roving that I didn't quite know what do with...until today, that is. I quickly tested its feltability by making a felted oatmeal soap -- lo and behold, the fiber doth felt! Now I just need to decide what I want to make first. Maybe a small felted throw rug for under my spinning wheel and chair (since my loom isn't yet free to start my woven fleece rug)...or maybe a felt poncho for GiGi...or a felt cap for DH. Whatever I try, though, will have to wait till I have a stretch of free time (aka, someone else is watching the baby) during which I can get soapy and messy and not have to worry about stopping in the middle to do something else.

We'll see if THAT happens sometime this century!