How to Make Your Very Own Yurt

We often tell people that felt is probably the oldest textile and that once upon a time it was used to make peoples dwellings; but how many of us have actually seen a yurt let alone made one? 

A yurt is the traditional dwelling of the nomadic people of Central Asia, it consists of a collapsible wooden frame and wool felt coverings. Textile artist Martein Van Zulien coordinated a National Yurt Building project in Australia during 1998. The full scale Mongolian style yurt involved over 100 feltmakers across five states and was largely possible through donations of fleece and the use of reclaimed wood.


So we, the 11th Southern Hemisphere Felting Convergence Organising Committee, are now proud to provide our readers with your very own step by step instructions for constructing your own yurt, complete with chimney. 

1.  Lay the wool out

2. Roll up the wool

3. Roll with feet - 200 times

4. Roll with horse - 100 laps of field (200 carrots)

5. Enlist the boys (200 beers)

6. Put up the framework

7. Construct centre of yurt

8. Put up roof frame work

9. Dry out wall panels  (it rained heavily!)

10. Get the panels to the framework

11. Put panels up

12. Put roof  on

13. Tie it all up

14. Stand back and admire your  finished yurt

The yurt was made at the Mittagong Textile Fibre Forum  in 1998

The group that worked on the yurt in Mittagong

Many thanks to Helen O'Neill who provided us with the photos. Helen  helped with the roof panel that was made here  in W.A.  She was also in the Mittagong class and you may spot her in a couple of the photos. 
She tells us that they made hangings for the inside of the yurt  and  there was also a pot belly stove in the centre hence the chimney.  She says it was a very calming feeling sitting in this yurt and that some people slept in it overnight.

The finished  yurt  set off on travels around Australia but we do not have any idea where it is now or know if it still exists.

Have you seen the Mittagong yurt?


For more information click here to go to Martein Van Zulien's website.