Hand Felted Bowl

A Spring Time Hand Felted Bowl

At the IW Spinners,Weavers & Dyers Guild I attended a workshop held by Gillian Chapman
(to find out more about her work pop over to her blog at
http://www.gillianchapmanfelts.info/2012/02/workshops-update.html )

Usually I hand knit and then hand felt my work so this was a really enjoyable learning process as it is a totally different method of felting and although my finished bowl is a little wonky I'm pretty pleased all the same for a first effort!



I made the bowl with merino tops of cheerful spring time colours and for the design I twisted and curled a wool yarn around the 3d shape to represent a growing stem and used little tufts of pink merino to denote flower buds.



The inside of the bowl is made with a lovely Mediterranean blue fibre with pink fibres in the shape of a star.

I had a lovely day making this, it's always good to have a go at something new and now I know the basic technique I look forward to experimenting with different fibres and designs.

New Display Equipment

I'm really pleased to have been able to find these new display stands in time for my next craft show this month.
I'm looking forward to being able to display my knitting and weaving in a more creative way and these simple items in wood and calico will allow me to show off the colours and texture of work more easily.
I'm particularly pleased with my new mannequin as I will be able to display clothing and accessories such as scarves in a natural wearable style.

The Exhibition Gallery at Quarr Abbey is a lovely venue with it's plain white walls, tiled floor and beautiful old wooden tables to display work on. I don't know how I'm going to plan my area in the room as yet, in the summer I was there for my Open Studio event and I took my spinning wheel with me to demonstrate "spinning a yarn".
This time we are back for our Christmas Crafts At Quarr Abbey.
I'm looking forward to setting up a festive theme, do pop along to see us if you are on the island, there will be plenty of choice and ideas for Christmas presents on offer from hand knitting,weaving and felting to pottery,painting and photography.

For more details of how to find us please click on link in the right hand column.

Christmas Crafts At Quarr

November 24th-29th

open 10.30am-4.30pm

Hand Felting Project

A process I enjoy doing with my work is hand felting.

The yarn must have natural fibres to felt as synthetic/man made fibres and super wash wools will not felt, check label and test a swatch first if unsure.

My method is to hand knit an item and then hand felt it; the thrill is I never quite know how the piece of work will turn out, controlling the felting process is what I aim to do, but working with the natural elements of fibre, water and heat I just have to go with the flow, let things happen and hopefully shape and control my work into the finished desired effect.

Hand felting adds a new dimension to my designs and it's fun to do too!

My little bag is hand knitted in a mohair yarn, when felted gives a luxury feel while producing a fluffy but firm fabric.

To Hand Felt

I prepare hot and cold bowls of water. Pour a few inches of hot (but not boiling) water into a sink and add a teaspoon of wool wash. Have a bowl of cold water at hand.

Place the knitted bag in the hot soapy water and begin kneading and rubbing.

I constantly change the direction of my work to insure even felting. Suddenly I will feel the wool starting to felt. This is the fun bit!

By plunging the knitted bag into the bowl of cold water and then returning it to the hot soapy water I can control the felting process. I continue kneading, rubbing and transferring the bag from hot to cold water until I'm happy with my very own “created felted fabric”.

Paying attention to moulding the bag into shape as I go.

Then I rinse it well in clear cool water, press dry in a folded towel and lay flat allowing the bag to dry before adding the finishing details such as buttons or beads.

Hope I have inspired you to have a go and create and discover a new unique fabric from your knitting.

My Hand knitted and Hand felted designed items are available from my online shops and craft outlets