My nuno felted chiffon scarf
I couldn’t help myself – I just had to answer the question “What if”? What if I embellished my nuno felted scarf from the previous post with some yarn? I just happened to have this great ball of fuzzy, multicolored yarn that I thought would go well the teal and yellow in my scarf. Isn’t it scrumptious?
Fun yarn!
Instead of stitching, I wanted to see if I could attach it with another form of felting – hand needle felting. In needle felting, sharp, barbed needles are used to push the fibers from a top layer through the fibers of the bottom layer. There are machines that do this but I only have the hand version – a group of 3 needles, shown here.
Small hand felting needle
I place the yarn on the scarf and push the needles in and out, forcing the yarn fibers through the scarf. My base is something like a big overturned brush, which allows me to push the needles down through the scarf.
Needle felting yarn into my scarf
And here’s the result. The yarn is firmly attached with no stitching and the silk ‘frilled’ even more.
Nuno felted silk scarf embellished with needle felted yarn
Yarn needle felted to scarf
Here’s the back side. I won’t say ‘wrong’ side, because I think it looks just as interesting as the front, just in a different way.
Back of scarf, showing where the yarn fibers pushed through the silk
I think I like the answer to my “What if?” question!
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Wow. I have that same needles and brush to put it on AND some fuzzy yarn (silk recycle). Think I will do some with my scarf. M
You never know till you try, Marcia!
Interesting technique, Deborah. It looks more sculptural. Do these scarves require any special care? Beautiful.
Robin you’re right – all the felting and pleating give the scarf more ‘body’ and a definite shape. As far as care – just hand washing is fine.
wow. that is gorgeous!
Glad you stopped by Angella – thank you!
What an informative post Deborah. Thank you so much. I’ve tried nuno felting a couple of times and haven’t been thrilled with my results but I’m going to keep trying because I think it’s a fascinating technique.
Well I certainly swooned, Nancy! i don’t know if I just had beginner’s luck but I was so pleased the outcome. Unfortunately, just before we had this session I had bought a bundle of other supplies – so have to cool my heels until I can afford to get some chiffon and roving, before I dive into some more felting – but I’m dying to try it again!
I bet that is so soft and feels great against the neck! Very pretty too!
yes Connie, silk + wool felt = soft! Also, the felt gives it some weight so it drapes very nicely without having to be tied. This one is now too short to be tied anyway but looks great just hanging loose.