Zara from Sweden is selling some absolutely gorgeous Gotland locks on the forum, if you are quick there may still be some left! Of course I couldn’t resist and now they have arrived I’m so glad I didn’t, they are soooo shiny and soft!
Now I have Gotland locks from 4 different sheep (2 from Zara and 2 from UK sources) so its high time I did something with them. I decided to make a messenger bag using the same Gotland resist technique I used on a cat cave a couple of weeks ago.
I used a couple of layers of Corriedale and laid out some pockets over a resist before adding 2 layers of Gotland tops, my plastic resists and some vibrantly blue merino on the outside.
I only used the locks on the front flap and used a mix from all 4 fleeces as they varied from black/white to grey and almost jet black and are different lengths.
It’s interesting to see the Gotland invade the coarse Corriedale wool too:
Only the pockets remained white where the resists prevented the Gotland from going walkabout.
Where the resists were placed between the Gotland and merino the blue of the merino can still be seen.
The blue colour was brightened by a little bit of shaving.
It was interesting how the Gotland shrank (fulled) more than the merino, causing the merino to pucker slightly:
The locks were a little bit matted after I had finished fulling the bag so I combed them out which made some of them go rather fluffy, I used some leave in hair conditioner to try to tame them. Have you ever tried to hair products on your wool?
This is quite a large bag, about 40 cm wide by 40 cm high, now I have to decide what handles / strap to put on it. I was toying with the idea of an adjustable shoulder strap made from felt ropes but now I am leaning towards back-pack style straps, simply because it is so large it will weigh a tonne when I have filled it with everything bar the kitchen sink. What do you think?
Great bag Teri! I've been struggling with what to do with my locks. I love the inside pockets. I love handbags with pockets and plenty of them. 🙂 Great idea to use hair products on the wool!
Great bag Teri! I've been struggling with what to do with my locks. I love the inside pockets. I love handbags with pockets and plenty of them. 🙂 Great idea to use hair products on the wool!
I couldn't agree more, anything bigger than a clutch bag needs pockets, the more the merrier. I saw a waistcoat / sleeveless jacket made with synthetic locks in a shop last week and thought how much more lovely it would be in real locks….
I couldn't agree more, anything bigger than a clutch bag needs pockets, the more the merrier. I saw a waistcoat / sleeveless jacket made with synthetic locks in a shop last week and thought how much more lovely it would be in real locks….
Whoa! Just got my tape measure out to see what 40x40cm looks like and it's BIG! Backpack straps might not be such a bad idea.
The locks look lovely on the bag and nope, I've never tried hair products on wool.
Whoa! Just got my tape measure out to see what 40x40cm looks like and it's BIG! Backpack straps might not be such a bad idea.
The locks look lovely on the bag and nope, I've never tried hair products on wool.
What a wonderful bag Teri – I think a backpack would be the way to go. You can always carry it over just one shoulder anyways if you want. I haven't tried any hair care products on wool either.
What a wonderful bag Teri – I think a backpack would be the way to go. You can always carry it over just one shoulder anyways if you want. I haven't tried any hair care products on wool either.
I love your bag with all those pockets Teri, and I am so glad to see that you are using the locks! ? You are brave to mix Gotland with other types of wool – resists are a brilliant idea to keep them apart. ? I have also used hair products on tangled locks after felting. Sometimes it feels like the only sensible option on a slightly too wild mess of locks, and it does seem to work.
I love your bag with all those pockets Teri, and I am so glad to see that you are using the locks! ? You are brave to mix Gotland with other types of wool – resists are a brilliant idea to keep them apart. ? I have also used hair products on tangled locks after felting. Sometimes it feels like the only sensible option on a slightly too wild mess of locks, and it does seem to work.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, I have turned this bag into a backpack and can't bear to be parted from the gorgeous locks so I'm keeping it! 🙂
Thank you all for your lovely comments, I have turned this bag into a backpack and can't bear to be parted from the gorgeous locks so I'm keeping it! 🙂