It’s a cold grey February day so I’ve been trying to brighten things up making wool balls using an easy wet felting technique.
There are loads of tutorials around for making wet felted balls. You can make them in the washing machine, or even shake wool around in a pot. This is how I to make them.
All you need is some wool roving, hot and cold water and washing up liquid.
Getting Started…
To begin, take a small section of wool roving – it needs to be quite loose with soft edges. Obviously it depends on the size you want the final item to be but a piece about as large as my hand was enough to start. If you want them to be larger it is often better to make a smaller ball then add more layers – otherwise the centre may not be firm enough.
Fill two bowls – one with hot water (as hot as possible for your hands to go in) and the other as cold as possible. Put a small blob of soap on your hands and very gently roll the roving. Keep your hands a little apart, until it begins to form a loose ball shape. I once read a tutorial that said to imagine you are rolling a baby chick in your hands. I remember that comment each time I do this!
…keep on rolling
From there it is about dipping it in the hot and cold water bowls alternately, rolling the ball round in the palms of your hand in between. The longer you roll, the firmer the ball gets and you can begin to apply firmer pressure as you roll. At first it will be very squishy and hard to keep in a ball shape, be patient it will firm up.
Dipping it in the different temperature waters will cause the felting process, it will also help to get rid of the soap as you progress. Keep rolling until the ball feels really firm.
And that’s it!
Once you have made your ball you will need to leave it for several hours to fully dry out.
My daughter loved joining in on this activity too – a great idea for a rainy day craft. I was very impressed with her finished leaf and flower!
There are loads of things you can do with your finished balls – create bouquets of flowers, garlands or even rugs.
In this tutorial I have kept the photographs to a single colour ball. When I make my felt balls to sell I begin with a core colour, but layer on multiple colours towards the end to create multi-coloured balls.
You can find my felt balls in my Etsy store.
Did you make any felt balls? I’d love to see pictures of your finished items!