Felted 'Sable' Muff

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The handmuff is warmest when worn as shown with the felted side out, but this elegant hand warmer can also be worn reversed to show the beautiful 'fur' side.

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

SIZE: One Size
Approximately 12 in wide x 18 in in diameter [30.5 cm x 45 cm diameter]
CORRECTIONS: None

GAUGE:

Tiffany Lining: 12 sts + 18 rows = 4 in [10 cm] with 3 strands held tog in stockinette stitch
Lion Wool Exterior: 10 sts + 12 rows = 4 in [10 cm]with 2 strands held tog in stockinette stitch before felting. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

With 1 strand of (A) and 2 of (b), Cast on 48 stitches
Row 1 Knit
Row 2 Purl
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there is about 3 feet of yarn remaining. Bind off all stitches, leave end

Outside
With two strands of (C), cast on 48 stitches
Row 1 Knit
Row 2 Purl
Repeat until piece is 20 inches long. Bind off all stitches, leaving tail of 2 ft.

FINISHING

Using the large-eyed blunt needle and (C)

1. Sew the top and bottom of the outside together to form a cylinder.
2. Sew the top and bottom of the lining together to form a cylinder.
3. Position the lining over the outside so the right sides are together, align an edge and sew the one edge together.
4. Turn the lining to the inside (the right side will now be where your hands will be when wearking it) and sew the remaining edge.

Felting is a process whereby the wool is deliberately handled so that it is matted into a fabric. Wool fibers have scales and are also crimped. When these fibers are wetted and softened and then rubbed together they grab each other and are permanently bound together. This happens when you put a wool item in a washer and agitate it -- it comes out much smaller and also denser, because the fibers have bound together.

Finished muff size depends on how much the piece is felted. Keep in mind that you can always felt more, but once felting is done, it is not reversible.

Make SURE the muff is turned with the wool side out. Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. At the end of the wash cycle measure the muff. If it fits, stop! Pat it flat to shape and let it air dry.

If the muff is still too large, you can felt it additionally by washing again. Felting is often improved by adding about 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash water to increase the alkalinity.

More about felting

Do not put this piece in the dryer -- it will cause the lining to mat!

The muff can be worn two ways -- as shown with the felted wool on the outside and the edges folded over to show the lining. Or it can be worn with the Tiffany 'sable' to the outside.

  Click here for complete Learn to Knit instructions courtesy of Lion Brand Yarn

Every effort has been made to have the knitting and crochet instructions accurate and complete. We cannot be responsible for variance of individual knitters and crocheters, human errors, or typographical mistakes.