Felting yarn – wool yarn for felting in the washing machine
Felting yarn is wool yarn that can be felted in the washing machine. This includes pure wool that have not been treated with superwash. When exposed to heat and movement, the fibres open up and bond together. The fibres shrink, and your project becomes firm, compact and shape-stable.
What makes felting yarn special is that you deliberately knit or crochet your project larger than the desired finished size. Once washed, it shrinks and takes shape.* The result is a dense and durable felted wool quality that holds its form and feels wonderfully warm.
* Please note that different types of wool shrink differently, so it is a good idea to make a test swatch before knitting the entire project.
Why choose felting yarn?
When you felt wool, you create a material that insulates effectively and retains warmth. The dense structure also makes the finished piece more robust. This makes felting yarn ideal for slippers, children’s house shoes, bags, baskets, seat pads and other projects designed for everyday use.
Felting yarn is especially popular for slippers. You can shape them precisely in the wash to achieve the right fit. At the same time, you get a natural and breathable material that feels warm and comfortable against the skin.
How to felt correctly
When felting wool, do not select a wool cycle or use wool detergent. These are designed to protect the fibres and will prevent felting.
Instead, choose a regular wash programme with movement and use standard detergent or washing soda with a high pH level. It is the combination of heat, water, soap and agitation that causes the fibres to interlock and felt together.
Always knit or crochet a swatch first. Different types of wool yarn shrink at different rates, and your washing machine as well as your needle size will also affect the final result. By testing a sample, you will know how much your project will shrink.
Buy felting yarn online or in store
You can buy felting yarn online here and find the full range gathered in one place. You will also find knitting needles, crochet hooks and other accessories for knitting and crochet.
If you prefer to feel the yarn in your hands, you are always welcome in one of our Selfmade® stores. Here you can see the colours, feel the qualities and get guidance on yarn choice, tension and how many balls you need for your felted wool project.