Do I have to felt first?

[AllisonK]

I have a ton of old wool sweaters. Do I need to felt them before making into longies/pants/mittens? Or can I just cut as is?

[Teddy'sMom]

I feel like someone just posted this question a few weeks ago...so look back through the old posts if you want to see what people had to say then.

As I remember...it seemed like some people liked to felt because it makes the wool thick and tight, but other people don't like to felt first because felted wool is stiff and has much less stretch.

Personally, I think that it depends on the sweater you are working with. If it is thin, felting might be good (or use double layers). If it is thick and tight already, I have had success just leaving it as is.

[AllisonK]

thanks,
i read that post but it did not have much detail about the actual felting and why.

[starry_mama]

I always do, mainly because then I can wash the longies or whatever I make with the sweater in the washing machine. I am sooooo lazy.

[Kari_mom]

I like to lightly felt because it keeps the sweater from unraveling and softens up the knit yet maintains the stretchiness. Best of all worlds IMO.

I do a hot wash/cold rinse with a bit of detergent, then dry on low in the dryer to felt sweaters.

[~Stephanie~]

For me, it depends on the sweater and how tightly knit it is. For looser knits, I do felt some, but for the most part I use them just the way they are. I like pull ons so I need the stretch.

For mittens I do generally felt first, but again, it depends on the sweater.

Sorry I couldn't help more.