Felting - top loading washer?

SBG · 06-05-2008, 07:36 AM

Mine is front loading. Does it matter?

dustinac · 06-05-2008, 02:27 PM

I know some with Front loaders have felted items before, but I'm not sure if they have to do anything different though

Mirl56 · 06-05-2008, 05:23 PM

I think the risk you take is not being able to stop the washer and check the item every 3-5 minutes.

SBG · 06-05-2008, 08:18 PM

So what happens if I don't do that? I don't know much about felting yet. The section here said they may even need to agitate for more than one cycle or even two. What are you checking for so often?

Mirl56 · 06-05-2008, 08:45 PM

There is no exact science when felting. It's pertty much hit or miss. Different yarns and even different colors will felt differently. Some take longer then others.

Most directions will tell you to stop the washer fairly often to check on progress. That way you can stop it and take it out before it shrinks down to barbie doll size. Not that one one full cycle thru a front loader will shrink that much, but you just won't have the option to stop it mid-cycle to check.

vaknitter · 06-06-2008, 02:05 AM

What yarn are you using? Maybe someone here has felted it and will know about how long it takes...

Personally I have felted Paton's SWS and it goes fast. My booga bag went so fast that it is barely big enough to hold my wallet !! I went down with a booga and when I came back upstairs the hubby said - that's cool you knit a change purse. The ER was able to save his life.
I've also felted Cascade 220 (personal favorite) and most times it takes just about a full cycle. Some stuff I've picked up at local fiber festivals is really unpredictable.

I fully expect the hubby and I to have a HUGE fight when we move and I tell him I'm never getting rid of my top loader. We can get a front loader for the effeciency etc, but the top loader is paid for and my first choice for felting and I still have about 100 pairs of felted clogs to make.

Mirl56 · 06-06-2008, 12:04 PM

Plus to factor in is what are you making? If it's a purse/bag size isn't too much of an issue, it can be smaller/bigger then you anticipated and still be perfectly usable. If it's clogs, they have to fit a certain size foot. Maybe you can switch around (I wanted them for Uncle Vern's size 12 foot, but they're going to fit Aunt Cat's size 6 foot) but maybe you can't.

Google something like 'felting in front load washer' and see what others have to say about it.

SBG · 06-06-2008, 12:17 PM

Well, so far I haven't felted anything, or made anything to be felted. I just started reading about it. My ILs moved in with us last year and brought their very nice washer and dryer with them. I sold my top loader. When (if, sigh) they move out, I'll probably get another top loader. I actually like it better anyway.

Miss Kittie · 06-06-2008, 04:29 PM

I have a front load washer and I felt in it all the time.. Add a few pair of old jean...
Mine if I stop the cycle, the door unlocks so I can check it..
But if I let it go into the rinse cycle I can't open it till the spin cycle is done...

Momto G B and H · 06-06-2008, 09:54 PM

I use my front loader, and it seems to take forever to felt anything. Sometimes 3 cycles (the long cycle too) through.
I can stop mine to check as long as it's not spinning, it just drains out enough water so you don't get dumped on.