FREE PATTERN
Design F0038 • Bench Cushion
All figures in the method are in centimeters (cm)
and apply before felting, if not given otherwise. For
approximate inch sizes simply multiply by 0.4 (or divide
by 2.54).
Size:
Before felting: width about 16½” [42cm], length about
22” [56cm].
After felting: width about 13¾” [35cm], length about
13¾” [35cm].
Materials: Wash+Filz-it! Big, for each seat cushion
400g #00321 steel.
US 19 [15mm] needles, or size to obtain gauge.
Work with the double thread throughout!
Seed stitch: alt K1, P1; stagger sts in every row.
Gauge: with the double thread and seed st before felting
6 sts and 9 rows; after felting 7 sts and 14 rows, each to
4“ [10cm].
METHOD
For each seat pad cast on with the double thread 25
sts. With Seed Stitch work 50 rows = about 21½“ [55cm]
even. Bind off all sts in patt.
Make 2 seat pads.
Felting: wash pads at 40°C in the washing machine
as given in the General Guide, using a program for
coloreds. Pull to shape and allow to dry.
Copyright © 2013 Coats PLC - www.schachenmayr.com
All of our designs, instructions, photographs and drawings are copyright protected.
Any use beyond personal, non-commercial purposes is not permitted without our written approval.
09/ 2013
Abbreviations:
alt = alternate/ly • altog = altogether • ch = chain • cm = centimetres • cont = continue • dec = decrease • foll = follow/ing • g = grams • inc = increase • K = knit • LH = left-hand
m = meters • mm = millimetres • P = purl • patt = pattern • rem = remaining/remainder • rev st-st = reversed stocking stitch • RH = right-hand • RS = right side • sep = separately
st(s). = stitch(es) • st-st = stocking stitch • tbl = through back of loop • tog = together • WS = wrong side
General Felting Instructions
Please read thoroughly through these
instructions before commencing work.
These useful tips are to ensure that
you successfully complete your felting
projects.
Measurements given in the instructions
are approximate. The felting process
depends on many factors, including how
the wool has been dyed, how loosely or
how tightly you knit, the temperature of the
water, the washing program and even how
full the washing machine is. Also, every
machine washes differently, for example
with more or less agitation or water. Your
felted item can therefore turn out smaller
or larger than the measurements given.
If you have never felted a knitted or
crocheted piece in the washing machine
before, we recommend starting with an
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such as a potholder.
Even if your felted piece is not quite the
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have a beautiful hand made item.
Materials
All designs in this issue were made
using Wash+Filz-it! (100% pure wool,
approx. 50m/50g), Wash+Filz-it! Fine
(100% pure wool, approx. 100m/50g)
and Wash+Filz-it! Big (100% pure wool,
approx. 50m/100g) by Schachenmayr.
Pure wool shrinks when machine-washed
which makes it the perfect choice for
felting projects.
Gauge Before and After Felting
A gauge swatch lets you determine what
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program to use.
To make a gauge swatch, cast on the
number of stitches given for the gauge
after felting plus 6 additional stitches. Use
the recommended needles or hook, yarn
and pattern stitch for your gauge swatch.
Work the number of rows given for the
gauge after felting plus 8 additional rows.
Bind off or fasten off.
Mark out the central 4” [10cm] square
with contrasting cotton yarn and running
stitch as shown in photo 1. If you have too
many stitches and rows, switch to larger
Photo 1:
Gauge swatch before felting: the central
square marked out with dark contrast yarn
shows the number of stitches and rows
expected over 4” [10cm] after felting. In
our example, the central square measures
larger than 4” x 4” [10 x 10 cm]. Central
square marked out with light contrast
yarn shows the number of stitches and
rows over 4” [10cm] before felting. In
our example, this square does measure
4” x 4” [10 x 10 cm].
Pattern Skill Rating
Beginner
Easy
needles or larger hook. If you have too
few stitches and rows, switch to smaller
needles or smaller hook. Felt your swatch
in the washing machine as you would your
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and let dry. The central square should
again measure 4” x 4” [10 x 10 cm]. If your
swatch is too big, you may felt it again,
possibly using more agitation and hotter
water.
If your swatch is too small, choose less
agitation and a cooler water temperature
for your project.
Felting in the Washing Machine
Set your washing machine to 40°C
(104°F). Place your project, small amount
of regular detergent and some old jeans
or towels in machine. Do not add fabric
softener. You may also add Shout® Color
Catcher® sheets to absorb and trap loose
dyes. Allow machine to complete a full
wash and rinse cycle. In general, pieces
will shrink by up to 30%. If your project is
not felted enough, you may felt it again,
possibly using more agitation and hotter
water
Photo 2:
Gauge swatch after felting: central square
marked out with dark contrast yarn should
measure 4” x 4” [10 x 10cm] after shaping
and drying.
Intermediate
-1-
Experienced
Shaping and Drying
After washing, pull your felted item to
measurements as given in instructions;
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rounded shapes can be shaped over a
tennis ball, hats are best shaped over a
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and corners you may use the handle of
a long wooden spoon. Slippers and bags
can be stuffed with paper or towels which
should be changed frequently.
More Felting Tips
Felted items will felt even more if washed
by machine. To avoid more felting, carefully
wash items by hand with small amount of
wool wash and at a water temperature of
approx. 20°C (68°F). Allow item to soak
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rubbing. Maintain the same temperature
for washing and rinsing. To dry, roll item
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excess water. Do not wring. Shape item
to measurements. Please note that
accessories such as bag handles can be
machine-washed as well.
Pattern Skill Ratings
For your convenience, all our patterns
indicate skill level.
Very easy
Basic stitches such as knit and purl and
easy shaping.
Easy
Simple stitch and color patterns and easy
shaping.
Intermediate
More complicated stitch patterns, such as
lace, cable and Intarsia. More advanced
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Experienced
Intricate stitch and color patterns, such
as Fair Isle and/or involved shaping and
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Customer Service
Should you have questions regarding any
of our designs, our website will provide
you with lots of useful information as well
as contact details of our Customer Service
department.
While the instructions to our designs are
prepared with the greatest of care, errors
cannot be excluded entirely. Errata and
amendments to our instructions are given
on our website.
When sending a query, please always
state the publication and design number,
and also give precise details of your
inquiry.
Many thanks.
For more information go
www.schachenmayr.com
to select your country
Abbreviations
Ch =
chain
col=
color
dc =
double crochet
r=
row
rnd =
round
RS =
right side
sc =
single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
St =
Stitch
WS =
wrong side
Needle Felting Motifs
Designs F0064, F0065, F0069B and
F0072.
Needle felting is done after item has been
felted.
It’s easy: use chalk pen or laundry marker
to trace motif on felted item. Simple motifs
may also be done free-hand.
Place your base fabric on a piece of foam.
This allows the needle felting needle to
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damaging the needle or the surface below.
Lay strand of yarn onto base fabric. Start
punching the needle down through the
yarn and through the base fabric. This will
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Start at one end of your line or shape and
work your way around. If needle felting
a large shape, start by needle felting
around the outside of the shape and work
your way in. The more you puncture the
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more dimensional your motif will become
and the more fused the base fabric and
your motif will become. To needle felt
Work carefully:
Needle felting needles are extremely
sharp and can do a lot of damage to
you and/or your table top if not used
properly. The best approach for needle
felting is a straight up and down motion
with the needle. Try to go in as straight
as possible; this makes it less likely you'll
break the needle.
-2-
small circles (for example eyes in design
F0065), knot yarn loosely, then needle felt
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dimension. You can also needle felt small
knitted or crocheted motifs to the base
fabric. After your motif has the desired
shape and dimension, cut yarn and needle
felt yarn tails.