Comments | novice_knitters: n00b alert :) felting w/ "specialty" yarn?

sliveredlight in novice_knitters

n00b alert :) felting w/ "specialty" yarn?

Feb 21, 2010 20:27

I'm knitting on a loom, and the yarn is very delicate (they call it "boa" yarn - link w/ pic is below). Should felting be attempted with this (or anything that would close the stitches in a bit)? I am afraid of ruining the color or texture of it, but it would be nice not to have such a "fragile" scarf which I'm afraid will catch on EVERYTHING. I ( Read more... )

starting out, felting

Comments 5

hugh_mannity February 22 2010, 03:36:30 UTC

It's polyester. It won't felt. Only wool, alpaca, and angora felt.

Leave it alone -- that sort of yarn doesn't really stand up well to washing. It's not going to last all that long, even with the best of care. Sorry.

sliveredlight February 22 2010, 03:50:59 UTC

NP :) the intended recipient is family, and I think she'll a) understand and b) appreciate the spirit of it and enjoy it for the length of time she has it.

Thanks :s

gnomenapper February 22 2010, 03:51:28 UTC

You can only felt natural protein fibers. I double the first poster- just leave it be.

lakesidetiger February 22 2010, 14:00:59 UTC

These specialty yarns work well when you use them held with a strand of plain yarn. I can't speak for Boa but the fun fur type can and does withstand felting when used as an accent on bags and toys. The point there is that is doesn't felt when the rest of the project does. See the infamous Hedgehog:

http://www.twoswansyarns.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=PJ-Hedgehog&template=project

In the meantime, have fun! It makes fun and easy little scarves and not all that fragile. :D

fluffy_goddess February 22 2010, 21:02:48 UTC

If you want a thicker/denser scarf, the easiest thing to do is pick up a basic worsted-weight acrylic (Bernat Super Value, for instance) and work both yarns together. The scarf will last longer, too. But either way, it's not an easy-care product, so I'd vote for going with whatever looks good to you, and knowing that eventually it'll wear out and you'll have an excuse to make a new scarf to replace it. ;)