Felted mittens – before and after

In this DROPS video we show you a pair of mittens before and after felting. The piece can be felted either in the washing machine or the tumble dryer – read description below.
Remember: Subsequent washes are as for a normal wool garment.

FELTING MITTENS:
To avoid the thumb being felted to the mitten, turn it inside out and fasten a small plastic bag/silk ribbon over the top of the thumb with a safety pin. The opening of the safety pin should point towards the tip of the thumb so it is easy to remove after felting. Turn the mitten back to the right side, with the bag/ribbon inside the thumb.

FELT IN WASHING MACHINE:
Washing machines will vary when felting. If the piece is not felted enough, it can be felted again. If it is felted too much, it can be stretched to the correct size while still wet.
DO THE FOLLOWING:
Lay the piece in the washing machine, using a programme of approx. 40 minutes (not a wool programme).
Wash at 40 degrees without pre-wash, detergent is optional. After washing, stretch the piece while it is still wet.

FELT IN TUMBLE DRYER:
Felting in a tumble dryer gives good control over the degree of felting. The tumble dryer can be opened during drying to check the size of the piece. If it is not felted enough it can be thoroughly wetted and felted again. If it is felted too much it can be stretched to the correct size while still wet.
DO THE FOLLOWING:
Lay the piece in water so it becomes completely wet, then place it in the tumble dryer and begin the drying process. Dry to the desired size, checking regularly.