Scarf making Techniques

[teriann]

Zed,
Beautiful scarf!
I don't do much wet felting but I have tried making a couple of wool only scarves and some slippers. The cement basement floor is usually the only place I have that's big and water resistant so that's where I end up working. I covered the floor in my work area with foam rubber mats. They make the floor warmer and softer but if I had a table I think that would be more comfortable.

[florcita]

I've come up with my own method, which is what I do but doesn't mean Im the only one! ;D I always lay down the wool, 2/3 thin layers but very well superimposed one tuft over the other...so no holes.

florcita.eu/wordpress/?p=1985 by Marian Florcita, on Flickr

I always work everything by hand. Every project. Rolling seems to be the very very very last thing. I don't throw projects either. I don't like much the "shock felting" effect (only for nuno or if there is a lot of silk involved).
By hand, I work basically with the top phalanges of my fingers first to make even edges. That way your scarf stays a neat rectangle. It's like you create a border and the fibres can't scape or move (well, this is if you really want a neat edge, right... otherwise... nevermind! ). Then I go on, starting on one end to the other... felting by hand.


Infinite Scarf by Marian Florcita, on Flickr

If I've added extras... like yarn, prefelt...I dedicate some time felting those in too with my fingers...

Nuno is another beast I suppose

[florcita]

OMG! Sorry about the size of the post! I was trying to add pics to illustrate so it wouldn't be so boring the whole post, but... it's a bit much, right...? *blushing*

[Shepherdess]

The post isn't to big go ahead and write a small book. Your felt looks very nice.

[zed]

Gorgeous scarves
It sounds like you felt a similar way to me, Mariana.
I don't throw unless I really want to get ripples or make and effect with 'other' fibres.
And your post is fine

[janekiwi]

Scarf looks beautiful Zed. Sure do wish I could feel it too. I have never heard of milk protein fibre before. Looks like it has felted well, interesting that you do not do much rolling.
I can't work on the floor, don't bend well any more, but lucky that our kitchen bench is long enough for a scarf, I have seen others lay out and roll up as they go but I like to see it all layed out to check how it looks. Not really used the sander much but am planning on giving it a go once I have finished the window sills, a bit delayed by other things.
Merry Christmas.

[zed]

Thanks, Jane
I didn't realise I didn't bend well anymore til I made that scarf!
The milk protein fibre is lovely and soft, quite expensive, but it goes a long way.

[gina]

I only roll my scarves. I lay them out... usually in 1 - 2 thin layers, wet down and roll, roll, roll... I should try different techniques, though - especially if I ever want wraps that look a little less 'organic'.

As ever, though, I am still refining my techniques - sometimes I think they're too cobwebby, sometimes too woolly, sometimes not felted enough even though I can do between 1000 and 2500 rolls.

A lot of my scarves can be seen on my blog www.blogger.com/FeltByGina (I think)

MTA: Your white scarf looks gorgeous, Zed, and so soft. I meant to say that bit first.

[Shepherdess]

I kneed and throw mine if I don't want the bumpy texture I iron it with steam. When I make a scarf I usualy stretch it at the end it takes some of that out and it makes it drap better.

[zed]

Thanks, Gina

1,000 to 2,500 rolls? wow!
Apart from a silk lap scarf that I only rolled, I don't think I have ever done more than 80 rolls ever, and that was only because I was doing samples.

Funny how many different techniques we all have

Stretching is a good tip, Ann, thanks

[koffipot]

Pasting tables can be a bit unstable - may not stand up to the rolling.

[zed]

I know
B and Q's cheap ones look wobbly. I'd buy online, but I need to make sure they're upto the job.
I considered getting a long piece of wood, like a loft floorboard for about £9 and making hinged wall supports, so it can drop down against the wall when not in use

[MTRuth]

That sounds like a good idea, a Murphy felting table

[lyn]

Rolling.

Zed, how do you manage to felt with only 80 rolls? What am I doing wrong? I roll the same amount as Gina.

[zed]

I just rub. Rub one side to start, flip, rub the other, flip, take off the netting and rub concentrating on the edges, flip-same on that side, then flip and rub a few more times til it's felted as much as I want it. For regular felt, roll maybe 20 or 30 times, rotate, roll again, rub on bubblewrap, then rinse. Roll in a microfibre cloth and dry