Arm Knitting and Felting FAIL

People have been asking me, "What else can you do with arm knitting?"

I typically tell them that in addition to a regular scarf an infinity scarf you could make a blanket/afghan, or a chunky poncho.  And a while back I was optimistic that I could create something truly different with arm knitting.  I decided I would create a skirt out of arm knitting.  But not just a skirt, but I would use arm knitting technique to create the fabric that I could then (slightly) felt and make into a cute skirt (with a sewn in liner).  

So using my only skein of Cascade Yarns, Magnum Paints (a 100% chunky wool), I arm knit a long rectangular piece: 

And then I attempted to throw it into the washing machine.  

And it was an EPIC FAIL: 

I know, I know.  You need the stitches to be near to one another to cling and "meld" together during the magical felting process.  I really don't know what I was thinking but as soon as I pulled the garbled mess out of the washer I knew exactly where I had gone wrong.  

But there are others who have the right idea.  For example Creating Laura has done this: 

Creating Laura: http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/01/the-triplet-shawl-arm-knitting-pattern.html 

Pretty cool huh?  

Well... even when you fail, at least you come out with some good lessons learned!