Monday, January 2, 2012

Felted Purses: January 14 Meeting Preview

Who doesn't love a new purse? Especially when it's a handmade felted purse. On Saturday January 14 at 2:30 pm, Peggy will lead us through making a purse and give us detailed instructions about how to do the felting process. (This meeting will be the first one in our new location at Prospect Park United Methodist church - see We're Moving post for more information.)

For this meeting you'll need to bring the following items:
  • Crochet hook: Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of 100% wool, 3 to 3.5 ounces per skein. Use two different coordinating colors if you want a band like the purses in the picture (these are three that Peggy has recently made). Make sure the wool is NOT labeled washable or "superwash" as washable wool will not felt. Also, you cannot use a wool/acrylic blend as the acrylic will prevent the yarn from felting. Peggy has had success with both Lion Wool by Lion Brand (1 skein = 3 oz, 158 yds) and Classic Wool by Patons (1 skein = 3.5 oz, 210 yds) - these yarns are available at most Jo-Ann and Michael stores. (A local yarn shop can also suggest additional yarns suitable for felting.)
  • If you'd like, bring a printed copy of the pattern. (There will be ample printed copies available at the meeting.) The pattern that we're using is a free pattern available from the Lion Brands website. You need to register on the site to be able to view and print this pattern (registration is free and quick, they only ask a few questions). Click here for the pattern - if you've logged in to the Lion Brand site recently, you'll go straight to the pattern; otherwise, you'll have to login first.
Peggy has more advice for us about picking yarns and embellishments for this project:
If you want to use a variegated colored yarn for the body of the purse and a plain color for the band, that works well too. Be creative! I like to embellish my purses with a little "bling" from Michael's. I have made at least a dozen of these purses to be given as gifts. Once, I did a gray body with a black band and used a cameo for the bling. One of my friends liked it so much I gave it to her! I have tried all different colors and they all looked great. I did a number of purses in purple with a lime green band (those went like hotcakes too).
If you've tried felting in the past and had success or failure, bring your work in to show to the rest of us. Peggy will bring in the purses in the picture for our inspiration! We're looking forward to seeing you and your felting projects at the January meeting!