How to Felt and Dye Wool Using KoolAid

Loom knitted items can be felted. This gives the knit the appearance of a flat piece of felt fabric, rather than knit. To felt an item, use classic wool yarn. The Pattons brand works well for felting. Knit the item much larger than the finished garment. Wash in a machine, or soak in hot water to felt and shrink the item, then lay flat to dry. Here are the instructions for felting an already knitted bag and dying it with KoolAid:

1. Use Pattons wool yarn in Winter White (or other white wool yarn) to make the knitted bag.
2. Use a pan large enough to hold the bag and cover it with water. Place the water in the pan and bring it to a boil.
3. Place the knitted bag in the water and boil it for 2 -3 minutes.
4. Remove the bag from the water.
5. Add the 3 packages UNSWEETENED KoolAid mix to the water. Boil the water, stirring until the KoolAid is dissolved.
6. Place the bag back into the water and continue to boil until all the color has left the water and soaked into the wool instead. The water will be a milky or clear color. If you are using cherry KoolAid, for example, no red will remain in the water.
7. Remove the felted knit from the boiling water and place it in cold water until it has cooled.
8. Squeeze the water out.
9. Return it to boiling water once more and boil for 3 minutes.
10. Return the felted knit to cold water once more until it has cooled again.
11. Wash the felted knit in a washing machine and lay flat to dry.

Here is a pattern for a Felted Bag and Felt Flower