Follow our basic felting directions and then continue in this slide show to see five home projects you can make using the fun technique (we even include free patterns!).

Felting Materials:
Wool garments (made of at least 80 percent wool)
Washing machine and laundry detergent
Clothing drying rack or dryer
Scissors
Pencil or pen
Card stock or paper for patterns
Felting needle punch tool and brush mat

Felting Directions:
1. Place knitted wool goods in the washing machine and launder in hot water on high agitation with detergent. Remove items and allow to dry completely, either by placing on a drying rack or using the dryer. The wool will now be shrunken and “felted.”

2. Create patterns with pencil and paper. Cut out patterns and place them right side down on the back of the felt. Trace lightly onto the felt with pen or pencil. Using scissors, cut out shapes from felt.
 

3. To join pieces of felt, place pieces atop a felting needle mat and use a needle punch tool to press through both layers. This pushes fibers from the top piece through the bottom piece, securing them. You’ll know pieces are joined when you see fibers from the top piece coming through to the back of the bottom piece.

Next: Design a Felted Bath Mat