Caring for your upcycled wool sweater projects

So you have made some fun things with felted wool sweaters.  SLIPPERS, MITTENS, HATS, and STUFFED ANIMALS.

What are you supposed to do when they get dirty?
NO PROBLEM!
I wanted to do a quick post about caring for your upcycled wool sweater projects to put your mind at ease and let you know how well these items wash up, and how easy they are to care for.

The multicolored mittens in the photo are about 5 years old, the slippers are probably 3 years old and the slipper boots about the same.  They have been washed many times and are holding up just fine.
In fact, I think it makes them have more character the more you wash them.

I love putting my feet in a pair of newly washed slippers.  It tightens up the fibers so it is like getting a little hug on your feet.  The already felted (washed in hot water) sweater material will not shrink when washed again.  If the sweater was not properly shrunk, the item you made, may shrink.  For tips on felting sweaters, go to the post here.

I have not experienced any major shrinking with the items I have washed.  If they do shrink a bit, they will stretch out just fine.

How to wash wool slippers.

I just throw my wool items in the washing machine with a load of permanent press items, so the water is not hot, but it can handle warm water.  If you are worried, just put the water at a cooler temperature.  I even throw them in the dryer.  Then again, if you are worried, just let them air dry. Most likely the sweater fabric was pre-shrunk (hopefully).

If you have never made anything with a felted wool sweater,  give it a whirl.  Who knew all the fun things you can make with an old sweater.  Here are a few ideas of things you can make.  I have a few more felted wool sweater projects and patterns in the making and are soon to be listed.  So get you sweater stash out, or maybe you need to make a trip to the thrift store, and have fun sewing!!!!