Felting wool mittens

Things that you make with your own hands will always be a pleasure to wear yourself or give to family and friends.

Unlike purchased products, household items are not only unique and original, but also give their warmth and comfort, and also remind them of a loved one.

In our article we will talk about mittens, especially necessary in winter. We will try to explain in the most accessible way the methods of felting wool, methods of making mittens and options for their design to create a unique and inimitable image.

Calculate everything!

Of course, before starting any work related to sewing or knitting items of clothing, it is worth carrying out the necessary calculations. It is necessary to know exactly the amount of material used that will be used for mittens, in our case. This is determined based on the size of the hand of the person for whom the thing is being made. Accordingly, we need take hand measurements correctly, and also do it in advance pattern with a small margin for places where material is applied.

For convenience and understanding, we will consider everything in order.

To make the mittens comfortable, it is better to take exact measurements rather than try to fit them. If you are giving a gift, you can look at the gloves or mittens that the person is currently wearing.

How to decide on the size of future mittens?

First of all, you should carefully calculate And decide with the dimensions of the future product. In this case there are some difficulties. In addition to standard sizes, it is necessary to take into account that wool tends to shrink after washing and decrease in volume. In addition, it is necessary to make a reserve 1–2 cm, so that the mittens fit comfortably and at the same time hold freely.

What measurements need to be taken?

Taking into account all the factors, you should take the measurements correctly and draw up a pattern based on this. To do this we need to know the following parameters:

• wrist circumference to create volume;
• length of hand from fingertips to wrist. You can add a few more centimeters to this size so that the mitten fits comfortably, hides your hand and warms it better;
• additional measurements for sewing in elastic.

These are basic measurements that depend on the human hand. When constructing a pattern and creating a product, you need to use special calculated dimensions.

Since it is necessary to take into account the capture of wool and the reduction of material after washing, when creating a pattern we use other parameters.

1. Let's circle silhouette of a hand on graph paper.
2. Add 1-2 cm to the outside of the hand. We do not add anything inside, only along the outer contour.
3. Using the magnification factor, expanding contour the appropriate number of times. This coefficient depends on the density and color of the material; it can be found on the Internet.For convenience, you can take the average value: 1,6-1,7.

How much wool does it take to felt mittens?

You need to stock up on the required amount of material in advance. In general, you don’t need a lot of it to make mittens. Everything will depend on how thick you want the product.

• Sufficient for medium volume and thickness 50 g.
• Sufficient for thinner ones 40 g, it's not worth less.
• A thicker version will cost 60-70, more as desired.

Felting wool mittens with your own hands

The felting process itself is quite simple to perform, and anyone can use it by following the instructions. If you have taken the main dimensions, calculated everything correctly taking into account the CG, prepared the material and pattern, you can start felting.

It is better to take the material with a reserve; if necessary, you can make an additional substrate.

What will you need besides wool?

Wool material is the main one, but far from the only one for manufacturing. We will also need:

• soap solution for felting;
• mesh and part of the film with bubbles;
• sample, according to which the mitten will be made;
• additional threads or fibers for decoration;
• scissors.

Master class on how to felt wool mittens

Let's get to work! Take your time, be careful and careful!

1. Place small strands on the template first layer. It must be done by gradually laying out rows, with each row covering the previous one by two-thirds.
2. Next layer lay it out perpendicular to the bottom one in the same order.
3. Need to do 4 layers, while on the sides of the template you need to make room for bending by 2 cm.
4. Gently through mesh Wet the styling with the prepared soap solution.
5. Carefully turn it over the workpiece, removing the mesh and applying film to the bottom layer.
6. Excess wool, specially left at the edges, is folded up.
7. We repeat All actions with laying out for the reverse side and bending the protruding edges.
8. We remove remove excess moisture with a dry towel through the mesh.
9. After that, let's start roll out mitten with a rolling pin or any round stick.
10. Then round off Cover the edges with film so that they are not sharp.
11. Again roll out the product until it is given the desired size and shape.
12. Rinse mittens under warm running water and dry them.

All is ready, the mitten takes on its final form. This option was made without adding a pattern.

During the styling stages, check that the wool is evenly distributed over the entire surface.

Design of felted mittens

If desired, you can decorate the surface of the product with a pattern.

It's quite easy to do this, you need to attach wool of a different color to the base closer to the outer edge in the form of a pattern. Then felt the product along with it. So, you will get a mitten with a pattern applied to it. All actions must be performed according to the instructions, as without a pattern.

You should carefully ensure that the contour does not move and fits well to the base.