mobius basket

I'm going to start knitting my first mobius basket next week. Then I'm going to felt it. I've never done either of these things before, so I have a few questions. I don't have a washing machine other than the one in the laundryroom at our apartment complex. I watched the video. Do I use soap? Dish soap? Laundry detergent? Shampoo? How hot should the water be? Do I need to put it in cold water afterwards? How long does it take? Should I use the dryer or let it air dry? My yarn is coming from Knit Picks and it's supposed to be great for felting. Thanks!

Tags: felting, knitting, wool

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Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on June 15, 2010 at 3:00pm

Those are nice, too! Like both of them. How handy! ♥s

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 15, 2010 at 3:20pm

Both are gorgeous! What yarn did you use? Do you remember?

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 15, 2010 at 5:08pm

It took me a minute to remember. I thought I used Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Worsted for both but then I knew the brown wasn't Brown Sheep. The brown was Manos del Uruguay. And the black and white is Brown Sheep. For the second one I used worsted weight double stranded and I washed both for a bit. I usually put it on a small load with jeans or towels, heavy cycle and time it for 7 to 10 minutes. Check it, put the cycle back to the beginning and repeat it until it is as dense as if I had felted it rather than fulled it. I think I remember the Yarn Harlot [maybe it was someone else; I can't remember] saying one of the reasons for the confusion with the terms is that so many are fulling it until it is truly felt. I usually full it until you can either no longer distinguish the sts or barely see them.

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on June 15, 2010 at 5:31pm

That is what I try to do, too, Cheryl. Some yarns/stitches do better than others at pulling together, and the stitches nearly disappearing. With others there is a "faint" pattern. ♥s

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 15, 2010 at 6:53pm

That's how I like it, too!

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 15, 2010 at 7:04pm

That is true. I even find that the same yarn on the same settings with the same jeans can felt faster than another time. Then some yarns don't felt as well.

I'm so excited about how well City Tweed felted. Since I already have a felted entrelac tote, I decided this time I would make it smaller so it could be used as a purse. Instead of the felted handles I have a leather one to use.

Here is a WIP pic: pre-felting

Here it is about ½ way through felting. I thought it was ready but I could still see through a spot or two.

Now it's felted! You can see how well these colors blend.

It needs lining and to have the handle attached. I think I'm in ♥♥♥!

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 15, 2010 at 7:07pm

That really gives you an idea of how it is before and after!

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on June 15, 2010 at 7:07pm

Cheryl, Love the striping above and below the entrelac portions... has that southwestern flair! Marvelous! Work! ♥s

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 15, 2010 at 7:17pm

Thanks, Peggy and Susan. Guess I'll have to drag out the sewing machine this weekend.

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 15, 2010 at 8:29pm

What do you have for lining?

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on June 15, 2010 at 9:59pm

Well, I got some upholstery fabric. I'm not sure if I like it for this project. I love the fabric, but it is light in color. Not sure if I want to line a purse with a light color.

What do you think?

Here are all the components [sorry, I cropped this in iPhoto but don't know how to upload it from there]:

And here we have a view without all the accessories and a different view of the print fabric.

I originally though I would use the print for the lining with pockets using the solid [very suede-like]. Then I thought the suede would be easier to manipulate into a "bowl" shape and I like that it is heavier. But it is very light in color.

I purchase red hemp and crochet thread as possibles for attaching the handle and button. I plan to use the red leather strip for making a button loop.

Now I'm not sure I like it together with the print. I liked it at the store, but now, well....

Any suggestions?

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on June 16, 2010 at 3:42am

Peggy, I love it! It looks like a subtle enough print, I think it will look great! ♥s