mommacrafter

Most people I run into think you can’t felt with a front loader. also many books or tutes you read tell you that you can not felt with a front loader. I have a front load washer. (Actually I’ve had it longer than I’ve known how to knit) I am here to say that is UNTRUE. Some of the things I do when felting (in no particular order) you may find it’s the same thing you do in your top loader.

1. My front loader has a hot/cold water setting. I normally use warm/warm to wash clothes but for felting I switch it to HOT. (don’t mind the dirty washing machine)

2. I use a whole load of jeans (jeans and only jeans no towels or anything that leaves fuzzies)  they create the agitation that I need for felting

3. I don’t use a zippered pillow case, i just throw in my bag (or whatever) into my washer. I think that’s partly b/c i’m lazy and I don’t have a zippered pillow case laying around to use.

4. I  put in regular laundry detg. (half a capful) and start the cycle.

5. I let it run through the WHOLE cycle at least one time.  but that’s mostly b/c I get distracted when felting and usually forget. If i’m doing a bag I do the cycle  a couple of times

 6. if I’m doing something that needs to fit (slippers, hats etc) i use the Prewash cycle that is shorter if it’s not getting the desired felting I run it through the regular cycle and push to stop it at different intervals to check the progress. it mostly depends on my mood. if i want to keep popping downstairs to check i do the regular cycle if not i use the prewash.

7. For faster drying I let the project go through the final spin to get the extra water OUT of the felted object. if you’re worried about creasing don’t worry you can always get it wet  again (in the sink) for spot blocking so to speak.  (i actually use the final spin when i’m blocking sweaters and such to get tat extra water out)

I think that’s about it.  LMK what you think!