Learn to Felt - Knitted Purse

[@KayleighJ100]

I just finished this bag; it was my very first foray into felting and it turned out great! Your pattern was very clear and easy to follow for a fairly new knitter like myself. Worth the price IMHO. The few spots that had me scratching my head were thoroughly explained in the video. 👍😊

[@caredunham]

I purchased this pattern to knit while traveling this summer. It is a simple enough pattern, counting wise, and is a real fun knit! I have a BlackBerry and can go back to view and review the video on the road! Well done Stacy, YOU ROCK! Once again you have given us something fun and different to create!

[@caredunham]

I just downloaded my pattern and am going to make this while on a little vacation! Am trying to use up some wool and make something my girls, 30 years old, might want to use. You are awesome and I love your patterns!!!!

[@mariamercedesromero6824]

Amazing! I was searching how to learn felting and they you are!! You cover every angle about knitting!

[@verypinkknits]

The felting process will work with either knit or crochet, as long as the fiber you're using is 100% wool. But - since crochet creates a thicker fabric than knitting, the end result of felting crochet will be pretty thick. I have not tested this myself, but I think you'd want to start with a fine yarn if you're going to crochet and felt.

[@verypinkknits]

@caredunham I'm glad you're enjoying the pattern! Too bad you can't felt while you're in the car! :)

[@kathhollandful]

Love this! Just wish we had domestic top-loading washing machines here in UK.

[@verypinkknits]

Yes, it has to be wool, or another animal fiber, but wool is best. Other fibers will not felt when you put them in the washer.

[@gnanimackinnon7165]

Well paced lesson . Clear instructions. Thanks

[@Ritasandler]

Thank you. I just discovered felting and appreciate the lesson very much.

[@verypinkknits]

I don't personally have any experience with felting in a front-loading washer, but lots of people do it! Just google it, and you'll get information on felting in your washer.

[@verypinkknits]

To answer both of your questions - yes, any wool will felt as long as it is 100% wool and it is not "superwash". (If the yarn label says that it can be washed in the machine, it will not felt.) And yes, the purse is left to air dry after felting.

[@verypinkknits]

No, sorry - for the felting to work, you have to use 100% wool (or another animal fiber). Synthetic fibers like acrylic will not felt.

[@angeladerry4155]

loved the video would you have a recommendation on felting using a front load low water machine

[@carrie238]

I love this tutorial and I think I may try it myself. Just a question: I'm not an advanced knitter, mostly scarves, but I crochet a lot. Can the felting process be done with crochet also, or does it work better with knitted fabrics? Thanks!

[@verypinkknits]

@patobejarano When you buy a pattern, you are instantly sent an email that includes a download link, where you can get your pattern right away. Then you have the option of working from the pattern on your computer (and watching the videos that way), or printing it out.

[@verypinkknits]

The unfelted bag I use to demonstrate is deep red and beige - maybe you're having issues with colors on your computer monitor? That would be my guess. Good luck!

[@TheHenrikbjohansen]

I have just hand felted a pair of mittens made of wool. I forgot that the 2x2 rib stitch was made of the same yarn, and now the cuff is loose, though still elastic. is there any stitching or method you can recommend to get it tightened up? Maybe a video of yours?

[@verypinkknits]

Hmm...I'm not sure I understand your question. If you're hand felting the mittens, you should felt the ribbed cuff, too, so that it all felts and "shrinks" the same. I don't know if it will work in this case, but you can try running elastic thread through the ribbing to tighten it up.

[@verypinkknits]

@caredunham Thank you! Have fun with it! :)

[@kimmierroo]

I didn't know where else to ask, but can you shrink alpaca yarn? I made a cowl, had correct gauge at the beginning and followed a pattern. Now the cowl seems to have stretched out. It is okay to soak and then hot dry? Thanks!

[@verypinkknits]

If you machine wash and dry alpaca yarn, it won't "shrink" as much as it will "felt". You'll most likely end up with a smaller cowl, but the fabric will be stiff and thick, and the stitch definition will be gone. It all depends on what you want - that could end up being cool, or ruining the cowl.

[@eddaduff2560]

I purchased this pattern and I love the shape of the purse. I have been knitting most of my life (73years), but I am confused with the number of "picking up stitches" With 66 rows total I have 33 stitches on each side to pickup. What am I doing wrong?

[@verypinkknits]

If you are picking up 33, then you are only picking up half of the stitches. You want to "pick up 3, skip 1", and that will get you to the correct number.

[@eddaduff2560]

@@verypinkknits Could you please give me the measurements of the bottom part, before felting. Thank you for your help and you response

[@verypinkknits]

I'm sorry, I don't have that information. It doesn't really matter all that much, because you can control the size in the felting process. The number of rows (which you've already stated) is more important.

[@VintageBeauty1313]

Can you use any yarn to felt?

[@sloppyjoe3617]

I love this bag! I know how to knit but I prefer to crochet. I wonder, could this pattern be easily adapted for crochet?

[@verypinkknits]

It's pretty easy to crochet in shapes,so I don't think it would be very difficult to make this shape of a bag in crochet.

[@sloppyjoe3617]

VeryPink Knits Thanks Staci. I've decided to knit the bag but I'm curious about something. When picking up stitches from the bottom of the bag, why not start at one end and go all the way around rather than starting at the markers? I may not know what I'm asking not being the most experienced knitter! Edited to add: I think I get it. You're picking up one stitch on the increase/decrease side, then turning and doing the same on the other side. I thought it was picking up all the stitches along one side then turning. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

[@verypinkknits]

The way I have you picking up the stitches is what creates the shape of this bag. To pick them all up at once would make an entirely different shape!

[@sloppyjoe3617]

VeryPink Knits Gotcha! It's making sense now. :-)

[@patobejarano]

@verypinkknits How can I be sure that paying the pattern via PayPal is really secure? Because I really want to knit this pattern but I'm afraid something might happen. This is the first time I do this, so I would really appreciate your advice. Thank you.

[@verypinkknits]

@patobejarano Not to worry. :) PayPal is very secure, I assure you. I've been using them for years (for buying and selling) and I've never had a problem - nor have I ever heard of a problem with PayPal. It is very popular in the US. I trust PayPal more than I trust my bank!

[@Jowhke11]

thats really nice :) I will definitely try it ones

[@liquidissity]

well put together workshop , well presented Thanks! :)

[@omyamarie]

I Have Made Tgis Purse But The Yarn Ive Used Is 100% Wrosted And 100% Acrylic ....... So If I Try To Felt It Will It Work ?

[@ЯнаХамка-о8ю]

Is it have to be a wool only for this project? Thank you))

[@patobejarano]

When I buy a pattern, do you send it to my email, or it arrives to my house. I don't live in the United States, so I don't know how it works. Than you.

[@kanchanghogare3233]

If I purchase pattern is it going to contain the same video or more detailed video?

[@verypinkknits]

The video is the same, and the pattern is detailed row-by-row instructions.

[@DemetriaUy]

How do you prevent one side of the bag from felting to the other side. Or is there no danger of that?

[@verypinkknits]

+Diosa Demetria - no danger of that. I've never seen anything like that happen. It's possible that there are REALLY sticky wool yarns in the world that would cause that problem, but I've never encountered them in my 40+ years of knitting.

[@DemetriaUy]

Thanks!

[@carrie238]

I'll keep that in mind! Thank you!

[@lisagleason6571]

I always forget that when I clkick on your videos it's money, money, money.

[@verypinkknits]

Lisa Gleason - I have a TON of free patterns and tutorials! Way more of those than patterns that cost money. Yes, I charge for my premium patterns at a cost that is in-line with any premium pattern from any designer, but I also give free video tutorials to accompany the pattern. I work hard to make sure what I offer is of very good value.

[@lauradenhart486]

That is a terrible comment. Some people want everything for free.

[@dianemathieson1605]

Can you give me the pattern for this purse please?

[@verypinkknits]

The pattern is available for purchase here: verypink.com/2011/05/31/learn-to-felt-nagel-purse/

[@wigglypuff85]

Hi can you felt with a front load washer?

[@verypinkknits]

Yes - you'll need to google it, but there are instructions available online for that. There is also a newer technique of using the dryer for felting, which I've heard has very good results.

[@wigglypuff85]

Thanks for the reply

[@ErinEpps]

am i color blind if I'm seeing purple and beige instead of red and pink at the 14:20-ish mark? this is concerning me because I've never had problems with colors before

[@baselizaeugeniopereyra4061]

Esta muy linda la cartera. Pero porfa traduscanlo en espanol

[@joycezzz100]

What is the name of the yarn?

[@verypinkknits]

You can use any 100% wool (non-superwash). I used Paton's Classic Wool for the bag you see in the photo.

[@TheOnlyKirby90210]

I want to knit this bag but all I have is 100% acrylic yarn :(, please help somebody!

[@soniaguzman762]

I don't have a top loading washing machine!

[@CraigsOverijse]

Sonia Guzman you a you can use a bucket of hot water I believe

[@juniperlee7859]

Doesn't alpaca felt in the washer...

[@NightRainLily1]

No, it has to be wool.

[@patriciagrant4913]

Not really a tutorial if we have to purchase the pattern. SMH.

[@verypinkknits]

Patricia Grant - I disagree. My pattern prices are in-line (or less) with other designers' patterns, and I give a video tutorial, to boot! I work really hard to make sure all of my tutorials are a good value for knitters.

[@bbridenbaugh65]

Have you ever looked into how much other knitting lessons are. If you take classes you can pay from $25.00 per class to $150.000 per class. This is VERY resasonable. I love watching the tutorials. I may use a different pattern from time to time, but I always learn something.

[@patriciagrant4913]

Bobette Bridenbaugh Yeah I realize that. I have been a subscriber for over a couple of years. I do love all of The Very Pink Knits tutorials. I guess this is the first time for ME that I've seen a tutorial from her that we had to purchase the pattern. All good though. Thanks.