I started this draft a week or 10 days ago, but since the question came up again today, here is “What Wheat Wrote”

It still needs polishing and pictures to be finished, but you may find it helpful even lacking that.

Every once in awhile (okay more often than not) some little detail of fiber work gets into my head and I don’t know why.

First, just to get my personal obsession with technique name correctness out of the way.

While it is popular to call this felting, technically it is not. It
is more correctly a fulling process – it has to with the what
material you start with, loose fibers (like the rovings and such you see for needle felting) or a fabric woven, knit or crochet.

Fulling can be done to any fabric made from pretty much any natural (plant or protein) although some fibers work better than others with various wools at the top of the list, but ask any weaver, no fabric, handwoven, knit or crochet is finished until it is wet finished

The most common fulling mistake made by those who knit or crochet with the plan to felt the final fabric, is to NOT use a large enough hook or needle to allow the yarns the room they need to first expand, interact, and finally to contract into felt.

For knitting, at least 2 or 3 mm larger is a minimum over the suggested gauge found on the label.

If your yarn label does not give a suggested hook size for crochet, go up 3-5mm over the recommend Knit Needle size

A few months ago, I happened to read a message in one of the crochet groups about fulling which is different than felting, the process of making fabric from wisps of fiber.

That which modifies the fabric into something resembling felt is simply fulling more aggressively.

As I was reading the question in several crochet groups, it just seems that there was a step missing. So I started this insane bit of research, reading and borrowing about 100 books and another 50 or so on line tutorials about the process.

After establishing there was a step missing from “what works for wheat”, the next step was to try to determine why I do it this way.

The question that often is asked had to do with the fulling not getting the fabric hard enough to be a Purse or Tote, or, if it can be done in a front loader (yes it can but you have less control)

But what is the missing step?

It has been my experience the best method is to “soak” the item first in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes so that the fibers are thoroughly wetted thru.

The above “step” is not usually found in any directions for either
fulling or felting. in any of the several hundred web how-tos or the 100+ books borrowed from the library. It is a tip from one of my weaving books on “finishing fabric” – that for some reason I applied (quite successfully) to microwave dying with Kool Aid)

Next wash in the hottest water possible, even if that means boiling up a pot of water and pouring it in.
For top loading machines, you may be able to add hot water if your machine has one of those compartments to hold your fabric softener or liquid detergent after closing the door.

Use the Longest possible Agitation cycle

Cold water rinse to shock the fibers into contracting,

Spin at least once, maybe even twice – wool can hold up to about 3x times it own weight in water.

In between cycles (this is where those with front loaders loose some control since they cannot stop the machine while it is still full of water)

You may choose (or not) to take a few minutes to pull the fabric into shape (sometimes the stitch pattern or tension of the work may cause uneven felting) This is really important for those with a front loader, because you could not do it during the fulling process.

Machine Dry on the Hottest cycle – stopping occasionally to shape the project as needed.

If you are not satisfied with the hardness of the fabric, you may want to repeat the process use some of the felting techniques that have tutorials “all over the web” – I use a potato master. It is also sometimes handy to keep some fiber back in case you have some thin spots to build up – for small areas you can do this with Felting Needles, then the whole thing gets another trip thru the machine next time I have denims in needs of a good wash.

HTH

Wheat

There are many things related to business and in this case shopping that confuse me. There are almost too many easy ways for the consumer to do a bit of research and get the best price.

Add to that the exponentially increasing number of manufacturers, etc who realize no single retailer of any size can usually carry their “full” line, have set up information and in some cases “shopping opportunities” on the web.

Let me be very clear, I have NO PROBLEM with any single individual deciding to sell their personal stash in any of the many ethical ways from auctions on-line to weekend garage sales.

I am a member/observer in many of these groups and sometimes am very conflicted. On the one hand, I am, a “guest” in the listowner/sellers’ so speaking up is not a polite/politcally correct option.

On the other hand, about 95% of the time, they have obtained the merchandise by using false credentials. I won’t bore you with the nuances, but in most cases, the seller has given, at best misleading and worst, out right lies to gain wholesale accounts.

Some might say this is just Wheat whining because she sells on line but no that is not the issues.

Nor, is it that legitimately set up businesses both brick and click have greater expenses and so may need to ask for more to maintain extra services offered to you.

What confuses me is WHY with the information so available, Consumers would choose to buy in to a situation where they are often paying the same or more than suggested retail AND paying in advance.

Over and over, consumers say they shop on line so they can get what they want and get it now.

So last but not least they have to WAIT for the items they want.

Why not support the independent retailers whether you choose a local shop or an . on-line seller

Or, am I missing something here…

Looking forward to enlightenment

My “chosen” must have Christmas gift?

AVATAR …on opening day!
	And I was NOT disappointed!! So, a HUGE Thank You TH and of course to James Cameron

Far too often it seems the trailers were the best part of the movie. Avatar’s trailers are great but it is probably the best nearly three hours I have ever spent watching a movie.

Now, it is ALSO going to be necessary to “see it again” because I want to be able to see all the Narrow Wares used as adornments by the Na’Vi – as we left the theater, my comment was – can’t wait to see the Jewelry and Halloween Costumes that come out of this movie.

Avatar is NOT a movie for TV or eve home theaters unless you can afford IMAX in your Living room. It is this new standard that may be what really saves the movies. Excellence and Innovation.

I am reasonably sure it is certainly going to boost sales of hemp YARNandTHREAD for use beading, crochet, macrama, and what looked like a fair amount of tablet weaving.

I am just glad that now my “Molly Sweater” is approaching completion of the project (or will be in time for summer wearing) A whole new range of projects and most small enough for the Pocket is emerging.

If you can see it in 3D/IMAX – you will not regret the extra few dollars.

Once again, thank you James Cameron – especially for the NTI and now the Na’Vi.

Peace of the Season

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Wheat Wants To Know,

Your opinions on Postage and Handling when shopping On-Line

It may not change anything, but then again, you never know.

Peace of the Season

Wheat

Within the past 10 years at least a 1/2 dozen friends and family have had their lives saved because of a Mammogram affording early protection.

It is a proven fact that early detection is infinitely increasing the best chances of survival.

So, biting my tongue REALLY HARD to keep this somewhat objective, it is simpler to say, that even Hillary who was a leader in the fight to get PREVENTIVE things like annual Mamograms for women over 40 must be standing with mouth agape.

One has to wonder how TREATING a disease like Breast Cancer can be less expensive than the cost of Annual Screenings.

Now than an “influential” Federal task force makes radical change in breast cancer screening guidelines
including recommendations which challenge use of mammograms,

Here is a link to just one of the many new stories about this next step into health care Rationing.

May I suggest you let your Senators know today and often that this is NOT your idea of “reform” but rather a governmental death sentence to millions of our nations citizens.

Wheat