How do I make felted wool mittens out of old wool sweaters?

Question

I would like to recycle wool sweaters into felted wool mittens. I've never tried this technique so I've been reading up on felting. But what I'd like to know is if you need a felting mittens pattern or do you felt the sweaters first, then make the mittens? And how do I get the sweaters not to completely unravel when I cut them up?

Additional Details

I just tried but sweaters were in wash for about 30 minutes and no felting looked like it was going on to me.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I would felt* first, then cut the pattern out. Felted wool won't ravel, and it's pretty stiff.

Do you know how to felt? A high pH laundry detergent meant for cottons really helps... Tide, Bold, Whisk, etc...

*Technically, getting a knitted sweater to mat down is actually "fulling". Felting is making a non-woven fabric by entangling the fibers.

Source(s):

50 years of sewing and playing