Felt facts

Felt is a textile. It is not woven or knitted but is a constructed fabric - the earliest known to humans. Felt can be made by machine or hand and develops when wool (or other natural fibres) are tangled up. I prefer using merino wool as it felts together more quickly than other varieties, sometimes incorporating fibres such as silk to develop designs onto the surface.

Each wool fibre has a series of overlapping scales. When you pour hot water onto the wool fibres, the scales open up. Then, when you rub it, the scales interlock and close up tighter than ever. The wool's waxy coating gives felt a water-resistant quality.

Feltmaker

Avigail Ochert is a feltmaker and MA qualified teacher with an enhanced CRB disclosure. She has many years experience working as an arts practitioner with schools and community groups.