Can white wool be felted???

knitqueen · 05-07-2005, 11:39 PM

I've just read in a pattern regarding a specific wool that white or yellow may not felt!

I'm about 1/4 way through knitting a WHITE booga bag for a friend using Paton's Classic Merino Wool and I am panicking :| I didn't do a felt swatch but am going to do one tomorrow before I go any further on the bag.

I just need to know if this is a common rule out there about white wool or if it is just this particular one for some reason. Pllleeeeeeeeease I need good news here!

midnightskyfibers · 05-08-2005, 04:54 AM

white sometimes doesnt felt since the manufaturer had to bleach it iwth harsh chemicals in order to make it white.

Nuno930 · 05-08-2005, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by midnightskyfibers

white sometimes doesnt felt since the manufaturer had to bleach it iwth harsh chemicals in order to make it white.

Huh, that is funny... you usually think of white as being the most untouched! But yeah, I guess reall wool isn't white!

Rennagayle · 05-08-2005, 05:45 AM

Could you knit up a small swatch, maybe 3x3, or 4x4, then attempt felting it, to see what happens? :thinking:

knitqueen · 05-08-2005, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by Rennagayle

Could you knit up a small swatch, maybe 3x3, or 4x4, then attempt felting it, to see what happens? :thinking:

That's exactly what I intend to do. Man I'll really feel stupid if I have to tell my friend that she can't have her white bag.

Rennagayle · 05-08-2005, 06:01 AM

I pray it felts for you.

knitqueen · 05-08-2005, 06:21 AM

I KNEW that I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't do my test swatch today, so off I went.....

..... I did a teeny sample, only 10 stitches by about 10 rows.

I hand felted it for about 5 minutes under fairly hot water and I think it is going to work. It probably will work better too if I machine felt it. May take a bit longer but halleluia I think it will work!!

KellyK · 05-08-2005, 08:39 AM

That's GREAT news...

I was worried, as my LYS owner was making felted white bunny slippers for her niece & teh white parts wouldnt felt! The pink inside the ears felted beautifully, but not the rest of the slippers...

Debbie · 05-08-2005, 10:47 AM

I purchased white yarn to kool aide dye ... and use for a felting project. What should I buy instead of white??????

Nuno930 · 05-08-2005, 01:43 PM

I would get natural or cream... I've heard the off white colors dye better (but I've never tried so I can't say for sure!)