Wool nepps query

[chookie2]

Hi Everyone, My grandaughter has asked me to make a bonnet for my GG Amelia who is 18 months old. I looked at the pics she sent and think ? they have used nepps around the face area to soften the edges.as anyone used nepps and do they felt in ok?
Secondly does anyone  know of a bonnet pattern/template I could use? or rough size to begin with?
link

[Teri Berry]

Hi Chookie
I'm afraid your link is doing what mine usually does and keeps bouncing back to this page, can you try loading again please?

Nepps will felt in but I usually add a few fine strands of wool (so thin you cannot see them) over the top to make sure they stay put. Especially important with baby clothes, you don't want her eating nepps that are falling off at random!

[viltmaaraan]

Hallo Chooki,
Take a look at : allfreeknitting.com
There are very nice patterns.

[blythwhimsies]

I like using nepps but they don't tend to all hold fast even with tiny wisps of wool over the top. However, any loose nepps can be needle-felted more securely into place from the reverse side of the felt.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

I did not find nepps to be very cooperative in felting, either wet or needle felting. You can break a good needle by trying to needle felt nepps, and as mentioned above, wisps of wool don’t always hold nepps in. What about using soft wool yarn as an add-in?

[Pandagirl]

Nepps can be tricky. Best to use them as texture under a layer of wool so baby can't eat them.

[Frances]

This is a photo of a hat pattern Nada posted - you might check with her on patterns.

I agree on using yarn or pencil roving as an accent - nepps are terrible as far as I am concerned.

[chookie2]

Thanks so much to everyone for your expert and valued advice.I think I will give Nepps a miss for now and perhaps add some mohair curls around the face are if they are short enough. Thanks too for the pattern Frances- exactly what I was after to get an idea of sizing.
Sorry the link didn't work- no idea why!Computers can be a mystery.

[Shepherdess]

I would give the nepps a miss too. Mostly because babies have a tiny steal like grip and can pull off the most secure things.

[koffipot]

Can't see the link, but I wouldn't use neps for babywear. Perhaps stitching some french knots would give a similar look?

As already said; it's not easy to get them to stay put. Though I've found that they do tend to cling where you don't want them to, some of mine managed to escape into my silk hanky stash.

[viltmaaraan]

Or do you mean something like this :
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wbMcJTsKbUo

[koffipot]

I watched that one the other day. Now thinking of knitting up some of my Teesdale locks.

[chookie2]

Judith I totally agree but I was behind the door when needle skills were handed out- I got a hammer instead. Have tried to lean many times but am very uneven and pattern challenged I think- same with knitting and crochet so now I stick to things I can do well. I will eventually have a go at adding stitching ( machine maybe?) to a wall hanging but for now will stick with fleece and threads that can be added ( but not nepps this time).

Viltmaran - not quite the same at all - the bonnet she wants just has a nice fluffy edge around the head/face area but not long like the locks- maybe I could sew on a mohair trim or some such. The bonnet is drying now so will experiment with trim when it is finished- must be baby proof ! LOL

[chookie2]

a thought just struck- I wonder if you could knit both ends into the work - thus not having a long hanging lock but a nice bubbly edge? Would it work...hmm I CAN knit plain! LOL Does it need to be felted afterwards or not?