help me felt a knit wool soaker?

[katie9143]

i knitted my first wool soaker with some yarn that they told me would felt. the soaker is a bit too big so someone suggested i felt it a little and that would help it hold moisture better while shrinking it a bit too. the problem is that i have no idea how to do it and i dont want to ruin it as its my first knit project and i really want dd to wear it. anyone have an tips?

tia

[iowaorganic]

All of my soakers strategically felted on thier own with a little wear and washing.... Even if it is a little big right now- use it a little and a few washes in a titch warmer water than what you should really use should work well. DD's always felt in the crotch and DS's always felt in the front. . I would personally be scared to try to purposely felt a soaker unless it were peace fleece. In that case I would toss it in the washer and see what happens. Peace fleece won't turn out tiny- it will just tighten the stitches.

GL and you should post pics!

ETA- duh- how to felt instuctions. In general wash in hot and agitate. You can do it by hand or machine. In your case probably by hand to see how much felting action you are getting. Sorry.

[MamaWolfe]

Yeah, what she said ;-)

I have a 4 month old and he is ging through my covers so fast that I can't keep up! Having one a little big will be a good thing. As long as you have a Snappi, they will still fit very well even if they are too big. You probably already know this but just in case, you know all about lanolizing, right?

[MamaWolfe]

Also, I found the most wonderful group of wool soaker mamas. There are tons of members, many with years of experience, and many of the author's of the msot popular patterns are on there for tips and advice. It's a Yahoo group called Wool Soaker Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wool_soaker_group/

[katie9143]

I actually just joined that group! Actually dd is about 30 lbs and almost 20 months, so I am hoping that they next step is pling which is why i dont want to just wait and see if she grows into it. i probably should use needles one size smaller next time and it would be perfect. i just wanted to shrink it a bit since i heard that they stretch out with use and if this one stretched it would fall off!

so i soak/swish it in hot water for a little while and then do i put it in the dryer for 5-10 mins do you all think? I saw some felting instructions somewhere a little while back and now i cant find them again.

yes and i do know that i need to lanolize....i need to get some lanolin tomorrow...thanks for reminding me

[iowaorganic]

becareful with the dryer! Just a few minutes..... I would be more likely to put it in the wash for a little bit a time.... But my dryer gets really really hot.