Monday, September 22, 2008

The Felted Hat

Original title huh?

My first felting project in my newer front loader washing machine.
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Flowers on a Grave the September KAL Hat for the Hats, Hats, Hats group on Ravelry
Lamb's Pride Worsted in Navy
Flowers knit in Lorna's Laces Worsted Mixed Berries leftovers from Meathead Hats .
US 10.5 circulars
Pre-felted 11"w x 10 1/2" tall, felted 8 1/2" w x 7 1/2 tall

Pre felted

Mods- none. I knit the 3 flowers with what leftovers I had. Think I'll use the pink/mauvey color from one of the Meathead hats to add 2 more to it. I don't think it's big enough for the hat.
Felted hat
See the brim is curled. hmmm I really wanted the smooth flat edge like the pattern shows, wonder how to do that?

Flower close up A close up of the 3 knit flowers. Put on a coil less safety pin.

I do like the hat, the crown decreases were a bit of a pain as they took longer than the rest of the pattern, but it really makes the top of it so round.

As for the felting, you can still stitch defination, but it did shrink to fit. With my front loader I am finding despite the 8 pairs of jeans in there for agitation, felting Lamb's Pride yarns just don't loose the stitch defination, Patons and Cascade yarns do. I have another felted project coming up soon, and am still planning on using the Lamb's Pride. I may try to go to the laundromat and experiment there with the top loader though.

Hehe..sorry no full face shots, gah, I looked so ick in them, decided I wouldn't frighten you so early in the week LOL!

18 comments:

Stacey said...

That is so cute! I love that hat!

Bezzie said...

Despite the rolling it is quite distinguished!

Make sure you hit the laundromat at non-peak times, or else people look at you funny pulling laundry out mid-cycle.

Amanda said...

LOL - morbid name, adorable hat!! I love it!

Julie said...

Very cute, love the flowers.

Karen said...

So cute!!!! Another reason I wish we lived close - you could come felt in my top-loader any time you wanted to. :)

chemgrrl said...

It's so cute on you! Love the flowers.

sgeddes said...

What a cute little hat. I like the touch of flowers on the side. Very jaunty!

Too bad the front laoder won't work like you want. Have you ever tride felting by hand? Seems like the laundry mat would be easier.

Rebecca said...

i love a cloche! great job.

Renna said...

I made a kitty pi bed out of Lamb's Pride Bulky, in navy and natural (cream). The navy did felt pretty good, though I don't recall how much time it took. The lighter, natural color still had stitch definition, but as it was a stripe between the navy, it looked fine.

I agree with Amanda; adorable hat, morbid name! ;-)

thegabbyknitter said...

Really cute hat and I like the curling edge!

Anonymous said...

Great hat! I love the little flowers.

I'm surprised that the Lamb's Pride didn't felt as well as the Patons; I always find it takes me longer to felt Patons. I don't have a front loader though. I think going to the laundry mat is a good idea.

cpurl17 said...

Very cute hat! And the rolled edge is an adorable design feature!

KnitPastis said...

Talk about a fabulous looking hat! I love it and the little flower you made. It's probably my favorite hat to this day that you have made.Gosh this looks great on you!

Jess said...

You make the BEST hats. I really like the added flowers.
I haven't felted anything ( on purpose ) in ages. I think I might need to get on that...

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Very cute!!

woolcrafter said...

Cute hat! I've always found Lamb's Pride felts really well. Maybe 8 pairs of jeans in a regular front load washing machine might be a little too many, as the item needs space to move around in order to felt well. You could maybe try 2 or 3 pairs next time and compare your results, or toss your hat in again with less jeans and see how it goes?

weezalana said...

Very cute! Hmmm, for the edge the only thing I would think is blocking. Original, ain't I. :P

Carol said...

Very nice hat. I can't remember the site, but if you google "felting in front loading washer" I'm sure a bunch of hints will turn up. Or you could try felting by hand. Wear a air of rubber gloves and the hottest water you can stand. Especially as a hat is not a huge project to do that way.