The Journey Begins

Kyrgyzstan | Photo: Janice Arnold

Thank you for joining us on this global adventure. We look forward to sharing the ever-evolving journey of The FELT Road with you! 

But first, let us begin with a nice deep breath. 

Seriously, let’s do it together. 

Breathe in… 

Breathe out…and envision the simple, soft power of mindful breath.

And with that you’ve actually taken your first step along The FELT Road! Breathing, finding gratitude, and being present together are complementary to our mission. 

A lot has happened in the first couple months of 2025 and the future is as uncertain as ever but we believe that’s where The FELT Road can help. 

Please note: When capitalized, Felt is being used as a noun. When lowercase, it is a verb or adjective.

A moment of gratitude for wool, nature’s technology: 

We wouldn’t have Felt without the unique properties of sheep’s wool that have evolved over millions of years. It is the original sustainable fiber. In all that we do, it is essential to honor the living, breathing animal that makes this fiber and artform possible. 

Curley-Icelandic Breed, Rochester, WA | Photo: Janice Arnold

The FELT Road Founder, Janice Arnold, often refers to Felt as our ”First Fabric” as it is commonly believed to predate weaving and knitting. For thousands of years, Indigenous Central Asian Nomads made Felt out of necessity - it was critical to their basic survival,  and used for clothing and dwellings. It continues to be intertwined with nomadic philosophy, wisdom and the forces of nature.

A moment of gratitude for Indigenous knowledge:

The FELT Road is a way to trace and understand the origins of felted textiles through time, place and cultures while also honoring the Indigenous Nomadic feltmakers, their philosophy and the enduring legacy of this ancient textile. It runs parallel to the concept of the Silk Roads, and acknowledges and celebrates the ubiquity of this First Fabric in practice, use, and sacred traditions. Felt is a humble textile that has connected communities across Continental Asia for millennia. As Felt is rediscovered and redefined globally, it continues to shape our world. Through The FELT Road, we aim to elevate the understanding and appreciation of this underrepresented textile and carry its tradition into the future. 

A moment of gratitude for community:

Rolling wool into Felt, Kyrgyzstan | Photo: Janice Arnold

We also celebrate Felt as Social Fabric and a contemporary artform that offers many metaphors for our times - not only within the traditional process but the feeling of protection and comfort it offers in use. There is wisdom within the experience of taking wispy tufts of wool and, through collective energy, creating strong fabric. The process of making large swaths of Felt to cover and furnish yurts is not possible on one’s own and requires the strength of a community to work together. Working side-by-side, creating something together that we could not otherwise make alone, we learn new things, meet new people, and gain new insights. Individual histories, coupled with shared history, can enrich the culture of our communities potentially providing solutions and tools for an unknown future.

Tieton Nomadic Monster Felt, Tieton, WA | Photo: Alida Latham

Community Feltmaking, Olympia, WA | Photo: Lisa Mothersbaugh

A moment of gratitude for making things together:

When we share stories and experiences, we open our minds and hearts to other perspectives allowing us to solve challenges in creative new ways. These experiences build bridges of friendship and camaraderie, expanding our vision of the world and what we can accomplish when we work together. Working together with our hands, regardless of background, builds community and creates lasting memories by forming authentic connections that bridge cultures, generations, and socioeconomic status.

This idea is expanded upon in this short film, “Social Fabric: Creating Community with FELT”

Community Feltmaking, Grand Rapids, MI | Photo: Janice Arnold

Rolling - Tieton Nomadic Monster Felt | Photo: Janice Arnold

In the following months, we will share a collection of stories from the archives of community Feltmaking and explorations around the world.

In the meantime, we could use your help! If you enjoyed this post, please help us expand the “routes” along The FELT Road by forwarding this to a friend or fellow fiber enthusiast. We are a small but mighty non-profit and will rely heavily on the support of our community going forward. There is no Felt without the strength of our community and the wisdom of nature.

Thank you for your support,

The FELT Road Team 

(Janice Arnold, Lisa Mothersbaugh, LLyn De Danaan)

Nomadic Monster Felt (detail) | Photo: Lisa Mothersbaugh