Thursday, January 12, 2012

Wet Felted Mittens- Part 1 of 2


Flattening the foam underlayment resist prior to use.

(I find that the end of the roll always curls up a little bit!)


Beginning the lay out with 'spongy' Hog Island wool...


...then adding layers of variegated blue roving.


The finished layout, prior to felting...


...and after felting for a time...

...cutting the mittens apart and removing the resist.


While drying.


The finished mittens with cuffs rolled up...


...and again, here.


Several years ago, I made a pair of fingered gloves without much success...

...so this time, I decided to 'forego the fingers' and make mittens, instead!

The hardest part is getting the proper shape and size for your resist...

...since you must not only take into consideration the shape and size of your hand...

...but also the type of wool that you are using, the number of layers, and the shrinkage.

I was lucky enough to have an 'individual mitten' template on hand that I could 'tweak'...

...so, for once, I didn't have to 'reinvent the wheel'!!

(Thanks, Linda!)

It's important to leave a wider connecting 'wrist area' than you think you'll need...

...or else you won't be able to actually get your mittens on after they are finished! :)

(Thanks, Kim, for that helpful tip!)

Next time: pair # 2 (for a less long-fingered recipient!)

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24 comments:

vilterietje said...

i love mittens, but i dont wear them, because they are more in my mouth than on my hands because when i tough something i want to feel it with my fingers, so my mittens are without the top:)

Patty Biermans said...

This pair is has a beautiful color! I like blue só much :) And its better to have a blue pair of mittens then that your hands have that color :))

Via Verde Farm said...

Looks like magic!! You make it seem so easy and I have wet felted before. ..it is not. Mitts look comfy and super warm.

Pumpkin said...

Awwww. Those are so adorable, and they look so warm and comfy!

Heather Woollove said...

Riet--You need those 'open flap' mittens!
Peebee--So true!! Grin.
VVF-Thank you for your kind words!
Pumpkin--Thank you! I like that the cuffs can be worn up or down (for when you're shoveling and don't want any snow up your sleeves!!) :)

Anonymous said...

well done again! they look great will need to amke some for myself soon too. I think we might still get some winter :(

pinkundine said...

What a fabulous colour :)

Heather Woollove said...

Kim--I know...it's been mild here, too, but you never know! :)
Natalie--Thank you!

Grazyna said...

Certainly very warm.

FeltersJourney said...

Hi Heather this post made me smile :) My next post is going to be about.... MITTENS! How about that ?! Yours are lovely - I like the cuffs :) (But wheres the orange?) xx

Heather Woollove said...

Grazyna--Yes! These went to my middle daughter's boyfriend for Christmas.
Deborah--Hahaha! Great minds?!?

Unknown said...

These are great! I bet they're really warm too. Super work - I'm inspired.
Becky x

Voie de Vie said...

I love the upturned cuffs and the shape of the mittens themselves. I love how you show the process - it's amazing, and a safe bet I'll never wet-felt. I'll leave it to the experts like yourself ... and marvel at the finished projects!

Heather Woollove said...

Becky--Thanks so much for stopping by (and your sweet comment!)
Denise--Thanks! I was happy with the nubby cuffs, myself!
I feel equally entranced by your (so foreign to me) beautiful knitting/crocheting work!!

Vivian said...

At first I thought you were making one mitten at a time and have to sew up the seam, guess I still have much learning to do about felting!

Glad to see your were the lucky recipient of Melissa's wonderful free range shawl. It's suck a good match for a creative person like you.

Anonymous said...

They look really cosy...

Heather Woollove said...

Vivian--Yes...Melissa is an amazing spinner and knitter!!
Rachel--Thanks! :)

Spinster Beth said...

Lovely! Especially the color.

nadine paduart said...

i mean, WAW!
n♥

Heather Woollove said...

Beth--You remind me that there are a LOT of 'blue lovers' out there in fiber land!
Woolf-Hehehe.

Dawn Edwards/Felt So Right said...

Oh, Heather, these mittens are fantastic...I love them!!!! Great job!

Big hugs,
Dawn

Heather Woollove said...

Dawn--Thanks! XXO-

Natalie said...

I love the blue mittens...such a nice colour. I have never even heard of this resist until I saw your blog. Definitely something I will look into.

Heather Woollove said...

Natalie--Wet felting mittens is a lot of fun. I like to do two at once, so I have mittens that 'match' at the end of the process! Once you master basic flat felt making, you are ready for a project like this!