Haven't we all shrunk a wool sweater in the wash? You drop it in the washer and when you pull it out it's a perfect fit for your 4 year old. WONDERFUL!

An amazing thing has happened - your wool has thickened and 'felted.' Yes - when wool is subjected to heat and pressure with soap, the fibers' scales rub together and bond irreversibly. This new felt fabric will no longer stretch as it did, but will now hold its shape fairly firmly.

No - unfortunately there is no way to get your precious sweater back to its original state. A felted fabric has been formed, which will not fray when cut.

Don't be disheartened. If you loved that sweater so much in the first place, then maybe you'll want to keep it and make it into something else.

Here are some ideas of what you can make with your shrunken felted wool sweater:

• mittens
• diaper cover
• baby dungarees
• hat
• cushion cover
• purse or bag
• cat toys

This by no means is an exhaustive list. Here are more ideas for using felted wool.

If you have a few shrunken wool sweaters to use up, you may like to try making a quilt or patchwork blanket. Just cut your felted wool into pieces of the same size and shape (say 6 inch squares for simplicity) and stitch together. You don't need to worry about fraying - it can't happen if your wool is felted properly. Just stitch on a backing fabric and a bias binding to make the edges neater.

If you're even more ambitious you could try hooking a rug. To make a rug you'd also need a rug hook, some hessian and a wooden frame (and a lot more time and wool strips).

Maybe you would prefer cutting the sweater into strips and weaving them together - that could make a very attractive cushion cover or table mat. You could also knit or crochet felted wool strips to make a really warm hat.

See - there's no need to toss out that sweater if you can recycle it. If you can't do it yourself, then ask someone else to help you or do it for you.

If you decide on a larger project and need more felted wool sweaters, try hunting in a thrift or second hand store - chances are someone else has shrunk their sweater too and just got rid of it. If you find a sweater in a color you like but it's not felted - felt it yourself in your washing machine.

So - don't cry too hard. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get crafting.