(re-post from March 16 2012)
While searching past posts for something else I came across this and decided to present it again.
While driving along a bumpy road it occurred to me that if I had a bucket with a lid filled with hot soapy water on the seat beside me the agitation of the car would likely give enough agitation in the bucket to do some felting. This was a complicated idea.
Later, at home, having completed this little basket and wanting to felt it, the thought of a bucket and water and shake-rattle-roll came to mind again....along with the thermos jug that I make yogurt in..... This was a simpler idea.....
So I got out the thermos and some stones (sneakers or jeans are suggested as good shake-rattle-roll helpers in a washing machine) and put in some hot water and a bit of soap and the little crocheted basket......and......shook it and rattled it and rolled it...... Lid on, of course. Boogeyed around the deck. The birds kept their distance.
Well - it felted the basket!!! Could someone please try this and give me some feedback. I took the basket out a few times during the s-r-r procedure and rinsed it and rubbed it a bit and changed the water to even hotter; I am wondering if I had just been more patient and continued the initial s-r-r without interruption if it would have worked equally as well. Maybe better?
The basket is trug -style with its curved-to-fit-the-arm- handle and, once it is dry, I want to put things in it from the garden, the garden in late November for now, and then from the December garden and hang it on the Christmas tree. What would you put into yours from your garden at this time of year?
Here is what a stroll around the garden offered for the little basket now that it is dry: one of the two remaining nasturtium blossoms, scented geranium leaf, a lingering rose, some rosemary in bloom. My hands are stained with fragrance as I type.