:QUOTE [quotetype:personal]
Felting is the oldest textile art. Before weaving, before spinning, humans were matting wool fibers together with nothing but water and their hands.


:INFO
How Wet Felting Works
Wool fibers are covered in microscopic scales, like roof tiles facing outward. When you expose wool to hot water and agitation, those scales open up and hook into neighboring fibers. Add soap to reduce surface tension and let the fibers slide past each other, and repeated pressure causes them to lock permanently. The result is a solid, non-woven fabric that will not ravel when cut. No glue, no stitching, just physics and patience.


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Choose and Prepare Your Wool
Use raw or processed fleece labeled as feltable wool.
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Choose and Prepare Your Wool
Use raw or processed fleece labeled as feltable wool. Merino, Corriedale, and Romney all felt reliably. Avoid superwash-treated wool since the anti-shrink treatment removes the scales and the fiber will not felt at all. Lay out thin, overlapping layers


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Wet and Agitate
Mix a small amount of dish soap into very hot water, around 60 C (140 F), and
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Wet and Agitate
Mix a small amount of dish soap into very hot water, around 60 C (140 F), and gently pour it over your wool layout. Press the water in without disturbing the fiber arrangement. Cover with a piece of netting or tulle to hold the fibers in place and begin


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Test, Rinse, and Finish
After 15 to 20 minutes of consistent agitation, pinch a small amount of fiber
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Test, Rinse, and Finish
After 15 to 20 minutes of consistent agitation, pinch a small amount of fiber and lift. If it pulls away in tufts, keep working. If it lifts as one solid piece, the felt is ready. Rinse thoroughly in warm then cold water to remove all soap and shock the


:CHECKLIST
Things to Check Before You Start
[ ] Confirm your wool is not superwash treated
[ ] Have a foam mat or sturdy work surface ready
[ ] Prepare a large bowl or pot of very hot soapy water
[ ] Cut a piece of netting to the size of your planned felt panel
[ ] Set up a clean towel and flat drying surface nearby

:NOTE
Shrinkage Is Expected
Wet felt shrinks significantly during the process, typically 30 to 40 percent in each direction. Plan your starting layout to be about 40 percent larger than your intended final size. Thicker layouts shrink more than thin ones. If you want a 20 cm square piece, start with a wool layout roughly 28 to 30 cm square.