I Heart Felting

I am not happy unless I am making something. I must have a project in the works at all times, preferably more than one at a time. I have been a remedial knitter for years. I think I was about 9 when I learned to knit, and now at 51, I am only marginally better at it. I can knit squares, rectangles or things comprised of squares and rectangles. I just learned how to do circular knitting this morning on the internet, and I am starting my first circular knit bag. One of the reasons I am trying to get better at knitting is because knitting leads to felting, much like pot smoking leads to heroin use.

My new obsession is felted objects. Felting is achieved by washing a knitted wool item in hot water. As the wool absorbs water, its follicles stick up. The agitation of the washing makes all the fibers mash and interlock together and the knitted piece becomes a felt piece. The knitted stitches all but disappear. It is such a fascinating transformation, and felted wool is absolutely beautiful and lush.


This is a bag I just finished yesterday. Look how harmoniously this bag coordinates with my blog template! I don't miss a thing, me.
It was much, much bigger when I knitted it, like about 12" square. Now it's exactly the size of a paperback copy of The Mists of Avalon, which is what I used to help the bag keep its shape when I dried it. I still have to line the bag and put a zipper in it, but I couldn't wait to post a pic of it. I'm sending it to Emma for her birthday, which was more than a week ago. You've gotta love a late birthday gift, though, right? Just when you think the prezzies have all dried up, along comes a delightfully unexpected one!