Natural Fiber Revival Empowers Ancient Process of Felting

To 'yarn snobs,' wool and alpaca have always been the natural fibers of choice. Now these lovely yarns are making a comeback with the ever-growing concern of depleting much dearer natural resources like oil and petroleum used to make synthetic acrylics. Fleece is made from recycled plastics and requires so much energy in its making that any environmental gain is canceled. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Ray A. Smith reports: "Nearly three decades after converting a generation of outdoor enthusiasts to synthetic fabrics, a growing number of sporting-goods makers are bringing wool back. This time around, the companies are touting items made from merino wool, which is finer and more lightweight than standard wool and can approach cotton in feel."

The 'renaissance' of natural fibers has re-birthed felting as well. Felt is the oldest natural fabric known to mankind and actually predates knitting and weaving. Traditional yurts of nomads in Central Asia and Mongolia were made of layers of felt covering a latticework. In Turkey, ancient felt artifacts date back to 6500 B.C. The story of St. Clement and St. Christopher relates to the origin of felt; fleeing persecution, they stuffed their sandals with pieces of wool to prevent blisters. At the end of their journey, the movement and the sweat had turned the wool into felt socks. Made by agitating pure sheep's wool, today's knitters are taking on more and more felting projects.

Felt fabric is strong, durable, and warm. Norwegian knitters have routinely felted their handmade mittens for warmth and water-resistance. When Scandinavian children come in from playing in the snow, they shed their boots for felted clogs.

Today's modern knitter finds a quick fix for gifts in felting, using alpaca and wool together or separately. Creating felt purses, slippers, toys, and pillows can be addictive, because the end result is quickly achieved and so much fun. Knit loosely on size 13 needles, for the most part, then 'fulled' in a hot washing machine, dried and shaped to desired finished form, a felted handbag can be created in just a few days.

Sources:
Wall Street Journal, Ray A. Smith, "Forget Fleece? Wool makes a Comeback", November 28, 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurt, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt

Copyright, Sharon Watterson, 2010. Photo of yurt is free licensed, others are owned by the writer.