• Felting creates a strong, nonwoven fabric.stern image by Westa Zikas from Fotolia.com
  
  Felt can be used for art projects and some projects around the house. Making your own felt at home from old knitted clothing can be more cost effective than purchasing felt from a craft store. Felting shrinks and binds the fabric to create a matted fabric that can be cut without fraying. Sheets of wool and other animal fibers can also be felted to create a nonwoven, strong fabric. Felting is a process that involves trial and error to get the results just right.
  
  

Machine Settings

• Felting can be done several different ways. Using your washing machine is one of the easiest ways. Set the water temperature to hot, the load size to the smallest possible load that will fit the garment or other object and the agitation to high. Use the usual amount of laundry soap.
  
  

Load Size

• Felting will occur in any garment that is made of natural animal fibers, including wool and alpaca. Adding heavier garments, such as jeans, to the load will create more pressure and more vigorous agitation. The rougher the agitation, the quicker felting occurs.
  
  

Felting Speed

• The speed at which felting occurs will vary depending on the size of the item and the item's color. Darker colors felt faster than lighter colors. In fact, some lighter colors and whites will not felt at all. It is important to watch the load carefully once shrinking has begun. Check frequently to ensure that your items do not shrink too much.
  
  

Avoid Spinning

• Do not allow your felting items to go through the spin cycle. Some washing machines will stop after the agitation cycle if the lid is left open. If your washing machine does not, watch it carefully. Going through a spin cycle can damage your felted material.