Knitted and felted flower pillow

My basic felting technique
Legend has it that the Huns discovered felting when they used layers of wool for their saddles. The agitation, heat and sweat generated on an all-day ride produced a felt so tightly entwined it was waterproof. You'll employ a different method for felting. It will be just as effective, but you don't need a horse -- just a washing machine. It doesn't matter what kind of washing machine it is, as long as it runs hot water, has a high agitation cycle, and can be stopped in the middle of the cycle so you can check your work.

1. Prepare the item. Begin by preparing your item for felting. Make sure the ends are securely woven down. If necessary, knot the ends on the back so they don't come undone during felting, which will cause holes. If you're working with a seamed piece, make sure the seams are smooth and not puckered before felting.

2. Set up the washig machine. Set your machine to "hot" on a low-water, high-agitation cycle. Let the basin fill with hot water.

3. Agitate and check. When the agitator starts moving, add the piece. It will take a few minutes for the piece to show signs of shrinkage. Once it does, check it often, at least every one or two minutes. Don't let the piece go through the spin cycle. If the agitation cycle is done and the piece still isn't felted, manually reset your machine to go through the agitation cycle again without letting it go through the spin cycle.

4. Remove when done. Pull the piece out when it reaches the desired size and texture.

5. Rinse and squeeze. Rinse by hand in cool water, and squeeze out excess water by rolling the piece in a terry-cloth towel.

6. Shape. Follow the shaping directions for your pattern.

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Excerpted from Felt It! 20 Fun and Fabulous Projects to Knit & Felt by Maggie Pace, published by Storey Publishing, available in Canada wherever books are sold. Copyright 2006 by Maggie Pace. Excerpted with permission of Storey Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.