Lauren Thomas
FiberEndeavors.etsy.com
I was introduced to the world of fiber when my grandmother taught me to sew and embroider as a child. But it was knitting that really drew me in. It didn't take long to move from following a pattern to designing my own creations.
Knitting eventually led to felting, and that opened up a whole world of possibilities. Using wool fiber to create felt fabric is a craft that predates written history, and the methods have largely remained the same.
There are a few modern twists in the variety of techniques to choose from, but I prefer what is called wet felting. Through the use of heat, water, soap and friction, wool fibers are forced to intertwine and lock together resulting in a strong felted fabric. Feeling the wool transform in your hands is a thrill, but the real fun is deciding how to use this ancient craft to make something beautiful.