Kauni roving wool is supplied in “pancakes.”
Roving wool is an intermediate product in the yarn manufacturing process. It is produced by lightly twisting or plying a strip of fibers on a roving spinning machine. It resembles a thick, soft strand that is strong enough for use but can break under increased tension.
When hand-washed in warm water, there is minimal shrinkage, and the material hardly felts. The fabric becomes soft and airy.
When washed in a washing machine (with a terry towel in the drum to assist the felting process) on a hot water cycle with spinning (for example, a cotton program), the roving wool fabric becomes denser, and the space between the stitches is filled as the material fluffs and compacts. Note that shrinkage of 10–30% during felting is inevitable, and the texture becomes felt-like.
Felting can also be done by hand in hot water. To control the process, it is recommended to make a test swatch first.
Project ideas for roving wool: berets, cowls, mittens, warm socks, felted slippers, coats, jackets, blankets, and even bags.
For a felted beret, approximately 120 grams of thick roving wool is needed.
Washing instructions:
Hand wash at temperatures up to 40 °C using a special wool detergent (or shampoo), and use conditioner after washing. For felting, wash the product in hot water. Again, it’s recommended to make a test swatch to check the process.
The larger the needle size you use, the better and denser this yarn will felt during washing.