Free Felting Patterns

About Felting

Felting is a technique that involves washing and shrinking items made from some combination of wool, mohair, alpaca, angora, or llama to transform the look of the fabric.

Although felting is most often associated with knitting, it should be noted that there are several free felting patterns that involve using old wool sweaters as the basis of the project. In this case, all you need are basic sewing skills to make your item.

To learn more about the craft of felting, check out the following helpful Web sites:

• Felting 101
• Felt This!
• Basic Felting Instructions for Beginning Felters
• How to Felt Knitted Items

Free Felting Patterns Online

Felting enthusiasts from around the world have found that the Internet is a great place to share project ideas and inspiration. Whether you’re looking for items to knit and felt or simply want to recycle the old wool sweaters in your closet, there are a number of free felting patterns online to suit your needs.

Home Décor

Felted wool is a very versatile material, lending itself to a variety of interesting home décor projects. For example:

• Felted Throw and Pillow: Even if you don’t know how to knit, you can create this unique felted throw and pillow set by recycling unwanted wool sweaters.
• Pillow Covers: Bring new life to tired old pillows by creating handmade slipcovers.
• Hip-to-Be Square Felted Rug: This eclectic rug would be a lovely addition to a child’s playroom.
• Knitting Basket: Make this pretty basket to store your knitting supplies or simply use it to corral magazines and other stray objects from around your home.
• Felted Bathmat and Tissue Box: Knit and felt colorful decorative accessories for your bathroom.
• Romantic Wool Heart Valentine: Add a touch of romance to your home’s décor with an appliquéd heart made from felted wool.
• Felted Potholder: Make cooking more fun with handmade felted potholders.

Fashion Accessories

Why settle for ordinary items purchased from the nearest mall when you can put your creativity to work designing unique felted fashion accessories? Here are a few project suggestions to help you get started:

• Pretty Paisley Purse: Knitters will love creating this retro-inspired felted handbag.
• Celtic Felted Bag: The neutral colors in this attractive bag are guaranteed to match almost any outfit in your closet.
• Credit Card Holder: Tuck this tiny pouch inside your purse to keep your credit cards readily accessible.
• Easy Knitted Diaper Bag: Felting this simple knitting pattern results in a diaper bag that’s perfect for any hip mom in need of a little organizational help.
• Felted Scarf: This thin felted scarf has a Japanese-inspired cherry blossom design.
• Embellished Knit and Felt Hat: You’ll be the talk of the town in this stylish hat!
• Felted Mary Jane Slippers: Make comfy slippers that are almost pretty enough to wear outside the house.
• Felted Knit Flowers: These colorful blooms can perk up any wardrobe.
• Felted Bead Bracelet: Take your crafting to the next level by designing felted jewelry.

Additional Felting Resources

If you can't find online instructions that fit your needs, you may want to consider investing in one of the following idea books:

• Felt to Stitch: Creative Felting for Textile Artists by Sheila Smith
• Complete Feltmaking: Easy Techniques and 25 Great Projects by Gillian Harris
• Felt Frenzy: 26 Projects for All Forms of Felting by Heather Brack and Shannon Okey
• Simply Felt: 20 Easy and Elegant Designs in Wool by Margaret Docherty and Jayne Emerson