FELTING

Felt making is an ancient craft but a relatively recent activity at the Guild. It has been used for centuries for the making of yurts (tents) for housing, and for clothing of many sorts. Generally wool is preferred, but other animal fibres and silk can also be used. Fine wools are used for making comfortable clothing, but any type of wool can be used, bearing in mind that the coarser the wool the harder the end product.

Modern ways to make felt have speeded up the process, e.g. a spin drier can take the rub out of feltmaking, and an afternoon's work can result in a finished piece of felt. Feltmaking is good fun and gives quick results - there is nothing so pleasing as making something that is entirely original. .

Felting can be very colourful and innovative. By using fine merino and silk, felting can also be used to create very light weight articles such as wraps and evening garments.

For everyone interested in using this unique property of wool as a creative outlet, there are workshops and classes to attend and a felting group which meets monthly. The yarn room sells a selection of wool for felting.