Felt Basket #3
Yes, I made another felt basket. this one is with some Bergschaf Tyrollean wool I got from Lituania when it was on sale and had free shipping to boot. I don’t know if its the same as the Bergschef that DHG sells. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/532965567/one-of-the-best-wool-for-wet-felting?ref=shop_home_active_7&frs=1&crt=1
I used a little over 300 grams.
I repaired the resist from the last basket with some sheep duct tape.
The wool was in a bat as you can see. I am not used to working with them. But even with splitting it and fiddling to make it all even, it was faster to lay out.
I rubbed a bit and then rolled it as usual until it was shrinking then cut it out and cut the handle. I didn’t realize how much it had shrunk until I pulled out the resist. this blue foam is much softer than the white I get and you don’t feel it bunching up the same way.
I have a washboard for rolling on but this was t wide for it. I have a great car floor mat that works great. it has a great texture. I wrap the piece in some plastic to protect the surface while I roll.
I also beat the basket into a nice round shape after blowing up a 24-inch beach ball inside it. Beating it with a pool noodle worked great.
I popped it outside to be another alien.
When it was dry I decided it had not been fulled enough. I wet it down and put it in the dryer with some bumpy balls. It shrank some more.
I dried it on a 20-inch beach ball this time. It is nice and sturdy now.
Not great pictures but it is thundering and we are about to get a downpour so I had to be quick about snapping a couple of pictures.
the handle is quite straight across when I roll it up. I think I may have to steam it and let it cool in a rounder shape. Also, it is quite hairy. part of that may be the fulling with the bumpy balls. Tennis balls would have been a better choice, I think.
Anyway, I like it but the next step will be to try doing what they do for felt carpets in the middle east. use a blow torch to burn off the fuzziness. I was hoping to have pictures of that for you today but I have run out of time. so hopefully next week you will have some pictures of me trying that. Anyone else ever tried to burn off the fuzzies?
12 thoughts on “Felt Basket #3”
The basket is looking great, Ann. I have seen blow torch burning of fuzz demonstrated and it worked really well. I suppose you just have to go carefully so you burn the fuzz (then buff off the burned stuff with a cloth) and not the felt. I don’t have a blow torch so,I haven’t tried it myself so will be interested to see how you get on.
I will have to be careful for sure. I will keep a bucket of water nearby.
Your alien is so cute! We’d love to see the finished basket.
Good luck with the burning – it should be ok as wool fibres are very resistant to catching fire.
It is cute isn’t it. After torching it I think I will dye it. I haven’t decided on the colours though, maybe burgundy and pink.
Another nice basket, Ann. I have not tried to burn off fuzzies but I used a heat gun to dry my pickle and it actually worked to burn them off. I was surprised.
Thanks Ruth. That sounds like it might be more controlled. Maybe I will try that first. before an open flame.
Looking forward to seeing your final touches. I have burned off fuzz for a brooch, but the wool needs to be damp. I am learning that the more you roll, the less fuzzy the work is, but that is probably also the nature of your wool, which I do think is the same as what DHG sells.
Thanks, I will keep a spray bottle close to hand. Yes, rolling helps with the fuzziness. Aggressive fulling makes for more. This was quite aggressive. I was using spiky massage balls and some dog toy imitations.
Ann your latest basket is great. I look forward to seeing how you finish it with the dyeing etc.
What size Did it end up? I can’t find the dimension of your resist, to work it out.
Ruth’s suggestion of the heat tool is one I must try. We learn so much here.
Thanks Antje. The basket is 18.5 inches laying flat. I blew up a 20 inch ball in it after the final fulling. hopefully I will have a defuzzed colourful basket for the next post.
I work with Bergschaf and so often burn off the fuzzies using a candle Ann…it’s a very smelly process so best done outdoors or with the windows open!! Looking forward to seeing the end result.
Do you need to have the felt wet when you use the candle. Yes I know it will be smelly. singed wool is not pleasant.