You may ask, “what makes a GOOD sweater?”   Here are a few tips when purchasing sweaters for felting.

• Make sure they are at least 80-100% wool if you want them to truly felt.
• Thin sweaters like cashmere are nice to use as lining, but not so great for maybe a slipper sole.
• Thicker sweaters will only get bulkier when you wash them.  It is good to have some of these on hand for slipper soles, purses, or projects needing some density.
• Sweaters that have a lot of heavy texture or patterns may not feel so good on your feet or hands if used for a slipper or mitten.  Just use your hands to feel the sweater and imagine what it could be used for.
• Look for other wool clothing like SCARFS, and JACKETS.
• If the project you are making requires some stretch to the fabric, make sure the wool garment you are buying has some stretch to it.
• Buy a variety of colors, patterns, and textures.  I like to have a good selection of plain colors on hand.
• Thrifts stores are great to find sweaters, but GARAGE or TAG SALES are where it is at!  You can usually pick a good wool sweater up at a garage sale for 1-3 buckaroos.  (the garage sale season has started in my area) YEA!
• Thrift store sweaters seem to run from $3 to $7.  It just depends.

This is how you FELT wool sweaters.  Felting wool requires three conditions — heat, moisture, and friction — which can be provided by your washing machine and dryer. Here are a few tips.