Felting...is it ruined?

I knit a striped bag. Followed directions, gauge everything. Get to felting instructions, just says felt in washing machine.

So, I do a quick search for best felting instructions. I decide to use a tablespoon of detergent, small load, and toss the bag in hot water.

I check on it 5 mins later, nothing, 10 mins nothing, rinse is coming, so I restart it. I did this like 5 times.

And all my bag has done is gotten bigger (saggier).

Is there anything I can do, or is this bag a wash (:wink:)