In Hot Water Now (what to do with boiled wool)

by Julia Parker, from the January 2005 Newsletter

I have a vague memory of shrinking my mother’s wool sweaters one winter when I was about 9 years old. I must have been trying to help, but somehow all that wool ended up—voila!—my size. If I had only known how useful all that shrunken wool was, perhaps I could have redeemed myself.

Several methods are available for making wool into a tighter, warmer, and more waterproof fabric. Some people knit large items then shrink them down to the right size. Some felt wool into tight fabric without spinning or knitting. These are great methods if you have the talent and the time. Another way to make boiled wool uses second-hand or your own old sweaters. (If you have a ‘helpful’ 9-year-old at home, you may have ready-made boiled wool.)

All you have to do to make this great, non-fraying, warm fabric is to soak wool sweaters in boiling water for about 10 minutes and dry them with high heat. An alternative to boiling water is to put the sweaters in a washing machine and wash on hot. I tried the stovetop boiling method—it worked, but my house smelled like a wet sheep for a few hours.

Cut the shrunken sweaters into pieces to be sewn into other items—mittens, hats, vests, and scarves. If you have particularly ugly wool sweaters, creating a patchwork with other unfashionable old sweaters seems to transform your material from just-plain ugly to cool and funky. (Perhaps this is why quilting has survived for so long.)

A few of boiled wool’s properties lend themselves to kids’ projects. First, boiled wool pieces do not fray. No need even to hem! Second, a dull needle (like an embroidery needle or even a plastic canvas needle) will easily go through boiled wool, so there’s no need to use a sharp needle. Third, the seams can go on the outside, which decreases the need for a degree in engineering to figure out a pattern.

No doubt, the weather is turning colder this month. So, I am outlining a pattern for a very easy box-shaped hat. Older kids can do much of this themselves—so let them take the lead.

Directions for the Box Hat
Measure the circumference of your head at about the level of your eyebrows. Add 4 inches. Divide by 4. This number is the width (in inches) of each of your four pieces.

Cut rectangles that are the width you determined in the first step and 8” in length (longer if you want a floppy top).

Put two rectangles on top of each other with the insides together.

Sew one side together 2/3 of the way up in a straight seam about a half-inch from the edge. (Use thread, yarn, or leather—anything.)

Open this and add another piece to one of the sides in the same way.

When you have all four pieces sewn together, sew the remaining open sides together.

You should have a four-sided box with the sides sewn together 2/3 of the way up (a rather drafty hat so far).

Now you’re going to sew the top together. Go to the spot where you stopped 2/3 of the way up on your seam. Start stitching at an angle towards the opposite top corner of those two pieces. This will leave two floppy triangles. (See illustration!)

After you’ve done this four times your hat is finished.

Enjoy thinking of other easy ways to put your boiled wool to use. For those of you who have shrunk your mother’s sweaters, I hope this helps. (Eventually, she’ll forget all about it—believe me.)

Julia Parker wants to thank her mom for forgiving her, and Kate Jaekel for the boiled wool project idea.

Copyright: Copyright on articles and recipes are jointly held by the Moscow Food Co-op and the respective authors, except were otherwise noted.

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