FELTING
There are several different types of felting. Here are some that Her Majesty Margo is familiar with  ~ there are probably more and she would appreciate learning about them if you know of them. These different types can be combined in a single creation - experiment, experiment, and experiment. The only criteria are that you learn something and enjoy yourself. There are many books on the subject ~ check out your local library.

NEEDLE FELTING
Special barbed needles are used to mesh fibers together. Natural materials blend together the best - there are needles and a holder available to do this by hand (using a foam cushion to protect your lap) or there are machines that do this very easily. The Babylock Embellisher and the Brother Nouvelle 1500S with Feltscaper attachment are the two Her Majesty is most familiar with.

FULLING #1
One way to achieve this type of felt is to knit something using 100% wool and make it much larger than you want the finished product to be. The hat Her Majesty Margo knitted and felted reminded her of Abraham Lincoln?s top hat before felting. Wash the project in the washing machine several times and pull the shape over a form if necessary (Her Majesty used her very large head ~ without her crown!) several times while it is drying. It is fun to add fancy fibers as you go since these fibers will meld into the felt creating a really interesting texture. You can knit fun bags using this technique.

FULLING #2
Throw a piece of wool yardage or an old wool sweater or jacket in the washing machine ~ you may have to wash it several times until it is the desired texture and then cut it up and use it for your project. It won't fray and is quite durable.

WET FELTING #1
This is a little more complicated than I can address here but is definitely worth spending a couple of hours on. Basically, you use wool fibers pulled apart and laid in perpendicular directions before rubbing liquid soap and water over the fibers and rolling it (several hundred times). There are many worthwhile books that address this subject.

WET FELTING #2
Nuno Felting is another way to experiment using similar techniques as that mentioned in #1; however, the fabric produced is more fluid when the process is complete since the base fabric used to place the fibers on top must be a loose weave ~ gauze, chiffon, etc. For Her Majesty, Nuno Felting is the most luxurious and has been proclaimed Queen of her felts. This technique has been the most difficult to achieve so far but Her Majesty will be glad to share any hints gleaned while on her journey to perfect this lovely art.