Idea: Felt Making

I could use all the wool collected to make felt. Then perhaps I could print some images onto the material... I supervised a Felt Making Class at the gallery I used to work for, Dulwich Picture Gallery, and it was relatively straightforward.

A step by step to felt making felt

You will need a flat surface to work on, where it doesn't matter if it gets wet. (outside, floor, counter-top or large table) Place a large table onto the flat surface, and cover it with a piece of plastic.
Pull the clean wool into short sections.
Place these wool pieces evenly across the plastic. Lay them all in one direction,(vertically) overlapping each piece slightly, until you have a square about 35cm long. Repeat horizontally.
Repeat the layers of wool again. Make sure each layer alternates in direction, vertically/horizontally.
The top layer can be decretive, using different coloured wools.
Fold the remaining length of plastic over the wool.
Place the into the bathtub and roll the mat back and forth, working your hands evenly across the mat.
Keep the mat rolling in the hot water for x-about 3 - 4 minutes. It is friction that causes the wool to felt.
Remove the mat from the bathtub and place it on the towel. Carefully unroll the mat, and turn the felt 1/4 turn. The felt is quite fragile at this point, so be gentle.
Reroll the mat and put it back into the bathtub. If the water has cooled, drain the tub and add more hot water. Roll the mat again for x-about 3 - 4 minutes.
Turn the felt another 3 times, and reroll for x-about 5 minutes between each turn.
Test the felt by rubbing it with your finger. The fibres shouldn't move and the felt should be quite thick. If it is still soft, turn it again and keep rolling it in the hot water.
Remove the felt from the beach mat and rinse in cool water.
Roll the felt in a towel, place it on the floor and stomp on it, to remove the excess water. Lay flat to dry.