How to store wool and wool collection

A little collection of my wool and how its stored
I mainly use merino however I'm expanding on the more
special wools like bamboo and silk blended wools. I find it fun
experimenting and currently buy from a woman in Germany off of Ebay
who is very good.

I store my wool in these handy hanging storage bags
and the same zip lock plastic bags that the wool comes in as well as ordinary plastic shopping bags. I've read that putting lavender pockets keeps moths away
I have not tried that as of yet however. I still need to get my craft section under control before I organize myself that far!

Wet felting book review How we felt

How we felt is an excellent book full of fantastic and crisp photos that make you want to look at them again and again. It's not however a true book for beginners I feel as you really need to know what good felt is otherwise you can make some expensive mistakes in creating a large unwearable bit of felt that turns out stringy, soggy and very sad. I learned from experience here! I suggest get this book if you have some experience or know what the end result looks and FEELS like.

I did a workshop recently and I really got a hands on learning experience from a well known teacher. I was so thankful after that lesson because I really feel that I can attempt the larger projects in this book without too much error.

This is a great reference book and quite affordable at under $30 AUD
I got this from Angus and Robertson (Australian book store)

There are truly versatile projects in this book, from boots, slippers, bags, hats, and more. Something for everyone. Just really do your research first. It's really a book that makes you want to be as learned as these contributors. I flick through these pages and just dream away but know I still need to start small until I get to my dream project in this magical read.

I rate this book a four out of five
it gives fantastic instructions, but not a real step by step for beginners on techniques. The list of things required is great and the intro is also helpful but
I would really think a true beginner would muddle through even a basic project in this book.

Aussie koala and pony

I've been recently busy with a couple of creations Aussie Koala and
pony. Hope these photos are ok I'm still getting used to taking photos outside

Wet felting guide

I went to a wet felting workshop this weekend and let me tell you it was excellent to be shown how to make good felt. Of course I hadn't known how physical it would be as we rolled our felt 2500 times!

here are some photos as I documented this its not a real tutorial just a guide for beginners as I've used many photos as an example throughout the day.

wool
I used merino tops in
white for the base
chocolate brown for decoration
navy blue for decoration
polyester glitz for decoration
Kid mohair for decoration

we started laying out the wool in little whisps by putting out thumb over a little bit of wool and pulling the wool away. Two layers are needed in two different directions. We then put the decoration on top I shaved bits of the polyester glitz and layered that with the blue and the chocolate wool. At the ends of my scarf is kid mohair.

We then wetted the wool with a mixture of olive oil soap and warm water, using a spray bottle. When its wetted enough we rolled our wool tight but not too firm around a rolling pin with the bubble wrap over the rolling pin. We then tied the bubble wrap with lace ties securely.

Now is the rolling time for this workshop we started rolling in 200 stages, we did two of these adding to 400. We then went onto 500 stages and did four of them adding to 2400 rolls in total which took about an hour. I can tell you for the next couple of days my arms and legs were sore! our tutor said the best way to save your back was to have one foot in front of the other and our bums sticking out so I can only imagine what I looked like. I took my shoes off for added comfort as I was still recovering from an operation on my foot.

After rolling we unrolled the bubble wrap and then massaged the felt over bubble side up to help to full it more. Some threw there's to help stiffen there's but as mine was a scarf I didn't need to. I then rinsed mine under hot and cold water to help it to shrink more.

After the water I rolled it on a towel and helped it to shape by pinching it to make it more even and gently pulling it this is called blocking.

And then after the six hours of workshop my scarf is finished. Obviously that was the learning process and when I attempt something later on it hopefully wont take as long but I did use coarser wool for the base which took longer to wet. Usually wearable felt wool is 19 to 21 micron the base of my scarf which is the white was 29 micron. It's ok to use but not as soft but it still feels lovely.

Hope you enjoyed my guide.