Felt making is a very ancient craft and dates back to the beginnings of civilisation.

Highly sophisticated felted artefacts were found preserved in permafrost, in a tomb in Siberia and dated to 600BC

Wool fibres shrink when using moisture, heat and friction causing the fibres to felt to interlink, creating a dense mat called felt.

In Britain felt was used to make hats, whilst clothes were woven and then felted (to make them warmer and more waterproof) by trampling in troughs, or by use of water-powered mills.

Fleece from different sheep breeds has characteristics that vary and affect the ability of the fibres to felt.

Good quality fibers felt most easily and are available ready dyed for felt making for those who don't wish to dye their own. Merino wool is the most popular for making felt.

Felt is one of the most versatile natural fabrics: it can be moulded, into solid three-dimensional forms, such as children's toys, sculptures and balls; made thick and hard, to produce, for example, boots or buckets; or very fine, to make scarves
or very thin works of art.

Application of heat, moisture and agitation are all that is needed and there are as many ways of making felt as there are felt makers.

In Asian countries, specifically in Mongolia, the felt making technique is so elaborate that they are able to make weatherproof , well insulated and strong tents and yurts with felt.

"Nuno" felt is produced by using a fine woven cloth to apply wool fibres upon. As the wool shrinks it takes the cloth with it, resulting in
a crinkle effect.

"Cobweb" felt is very thin and is made by pulling the fibres during the felting process so that holes or a web effect is formed.

Many other techniques are used to produce a variety of weights, decorative finishes and uses.

Why not have a go at this versatile medium and sign up for one of the workshops ?

The Scandinavians and Russians traditionally make - completely waterproof - thick felt boots, whilst the Romans used the fabric to prevent armour chafing and as a form of armour.

You can of course let your imagination flow...