FELTING WITH WOOL
PHOTO: BERNHARD BERGMANN
Felting is producing textiles from disordered fibres that are difficult to separate; felt is therefore an unwoven fabric. In Styrian Vulkanland, too, fine products are hand crafted from Styrian sheep’s wool. There is a wide variety due to the diversity of ideas that the wool artists have – they bring artistic inspiration to their craftsmanship. The members of the Wollgenuss (“delight of wool”) association in south-eastern Styria and Weiz hand craft fine products from Styrian sheep’s wool. First the wool is washed and combed (carded) to create the texture that makes blankets and cushions so fluffy. The fleece already contains a lot of natural colours, depending on the sheep species it has come from, from white and beige through lots of brown and grey shades all the way to black. But it can also be coloured, especially with the soft shades of natural plant dyes. With a little crafting skill you can quickly learn the techniques you need to turn your ideas for felt products into reality. You can make your own piece - whether it’s a hat or a pair of felt slippers – after only a few lessons. The Wollgenuss members’ products are also presented in an unique showroom: Styria’s first sheep’s wool yurt, at Edelsbach bei Feldbach in the Styrian Vulkanland.
PHOTO: BERNHARD BERGMANN
