Felting patterns?

[Ambersafghans]

What has everyone tried for felting? (Or fulling) Anyone done scarves?
I was trying to think of something I could make my girl friend. (17) Her birthday is this month and I thought I would try fulling, but I"m not exactly sure what to do. :(
Amber

[crochetme]

Bags and slippers are excellent for fulling. Marlo has some great patterns for crocheted bags to full on her site: Marlo's Crochet Corner (http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/patterns%20for%20sale.html)

[SamplerLady]

Scarves might end up a bit thick and unwieldy..... Might not be as soft and cuddly as one generally likes a scarf to be. I think a small bag when one just wants a wallet, lipstick and ID would be very well received, or something to keep pens and pencils in.... :))

[HollyM]

A bag is a great project for this. No matter what size it ends up, you still have something useable.

I don't know what kinds of stores you have near you. Many of the chain craft stores carry Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. Don't confuse this with Wooleese in Fisherman color. Around here a big 8 oz skein costs $7-$8 so it's an inexpensive way to play with fulling. The downside is that is only comes in a natural, buff color. The upside is, then you get to play with dying it. You can unwind the skein and dye it before you work up the item or you can dye the item after it's put together. Koolaid works great for this.

Holly

[Ambersafghans]

Wow. I can get a pound roll of Caron for $5! I might not want to dye it this time. What other wools do you use?
Amber

[HollyM]

There are cheaper yarns out there but those are acrylic and won't full. The Lion Fisherman's is inexpensive for the type of yarn that it is and it's the only fullable wool I've ever found at a chain craft store. A private yarn store will have more choices but they will usually be more expensive.

I have only done a few projects & used the Lion Brand for all of them. I do have 5 hanks of <a href="http://www.peacefleece.com/bur.htm" target="_new">Peace Fleece</a> that I scored at a garage sale for $3 <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/woohoo2.gif" /> I'm waiting to finish a few things before I start working with that. I think that was a once in a lifetime deal, lol!

There are lots of different wools out there once you go beyond chain craft stores. Try Ebay or online stores like Elann.com or Webbs. Brown Sheep is a popular yarn for fulling, as well as Cascade 220. They can get pricey though.

Edit: I forgot, I did do one bag with White Buffalo Unspun. It was a cool look and went very quickly because it is so thick (I split it from 6 strands down to 3) but it was kind of tricky to work with.

Holly

[Ambersafghans]

Would it be safe to say that a bag would shrink half the size?
A third?
Amber

[HollyM]

Unfortunately, it depends.

It can differ due to your yarn, your stitches, the time you let it felt.

Here's before & after pics of one I did
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/ilexmi/bagprefelt.jpg" target="_new">before</a>

and
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/ilexmi/bagafterfelt2.jpg" target="_new">after</a>

I didn't use a specific pattern, just did sc in the round, increasing until I liked the size of the bottom then stopped increasing to build up the sides.

Holly

[rebeccav]

that looks really great, holly!!! i love the dye colors too!!! :)h

[Ambersafghans]

Oh nuts. I can't get to them Holly. My Dad hasn't had time to fix the security problem yet. So I can't get to sites without submiting them for evaluation. That takes at least a day. :( Thanks anyway!
Amber

[ManyTimesBlessed]

Holly, the dying is beautiful! What a rich color it turned out to be.