Need help felting a stubborn piece please!

I knit the cup warmer from this KP pattern:

http://www.knitpicks.com/Come+in+From+the+Cold+Coaster++Cup+Warmer+Pattern_PD50517221.html

I knit it in Telemark, just as the pattern says. I stuck it in the washer in a pillowcase on [B]hot[/B] with a bunch of DH’s old jeans and jean shorts, but after 26 total minutes agitating, it hasn’t felted a bit!
This is not my first felting project at all, so I’m stumped. I’ve felted smaller things than this, but I haven’t felted Telemark before.
Any hints? How can I get this felted? It was supposed to be a Christmas present but one thing after another keeps delaying it.

That’s odd! Maybe try putting it in the dryer?

I agree with Jan, try popping it in the dryer. If that doesn’t work, you may need to try felting by hand. It’ll take a heck of a lot longer, but that way you’ll be able to see what’s happening as it happens.

Have you tried a hot wash and a cold rinse?

I am in the same boat. I bought some handpainted yarn from BrownSheep (top of the lamb) to make felted slippers but the darn stuff just refuses to felt. I’ve tried all the suggestions ; even boiled it but so far no luck. Right now it is going through the hot dryer for a second time. If that doesn’t work, I will pass them along to the biggest feet in the family.:gah:

Uh oh, that is interesting. My friend bought the same pattern and yarn from KP. I will have to warn her about that.

Why would wool not felt? Does anyone know?

Good luck and keep us posted.

It went in the dryer… still not felted.

Our washer automatically does the cold rinse, so it’s been hot washed/cold rinsed twice now. I’m about to take it outside and run over it with the car a few times to see if THAT makes it felt! :hair:

What color is the yarn? I have read that the very light color yarns have been processed in some way that makes them difficult to felt. :shrug:

The only way to fuzz wool that’s reluctant to felt is to clean it of whatever is keeping the fibers smooth.

I use borax, washing soda, baking soda, laundry soap (Fels Naptha) and a washboard to strip out the oils or additives for small pieces like your coasters and cupholders. For anything much bigger, I just give up.

I’m not the OP, but I just tried to felt a tote and all the colors felted beautifully except the yellow. I could just cry. :waah:
I have some Fels in my cupboard, so maybe I will try that and some baking soda.