You might remember my first few attempts at felting. Over the years I have made some sweet little chicks and some fun felt heart ornaments. What I’ve always wanted to make are felt balls. Which is why I’m super excited about sharing this step-by-step tutorial for making felt balls at home.
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The truth is, I was always a little afraid of making felt balls. I wasn’t sure if I could figure out how to make them. Guess what? Felted balls are so much easier to make and quicker to make than I thought. And they can be used to make so many other craft projects.
I’ve been dreaming of making felt necklaces for Christmas presents. A couple of weeks ago I decided that I had to jump in and try making them. You have been forewarned – making these felt balls is addictive. I fell into a meditative state and wanted to keep….making…more…felt…balls.
How to Make Felt Balls with Wool Roving
a selection of wool roving
dish soap
warm water
The first step in making felt balls is to rip the wool roving into small pieces…be sure to rip and never cut the wool roving…the raw edges mend together easier than edges that have been cut with scissors.
Next, roll the small pieces of wool roving into a ball, overlapping each piece. This won’t be a perfect ball, just a rough ball or spherical shape. Be sure to make the ball of roving larger than you want the final ball to be because the ball will shrink as it felts together.
Now it is time to drop the ball of wool roving into a bowl of very hot, soapy water. You only need to use a small drop of dish soap. You want the water to be as hot as you can handle…don’t burn yourself…but hot.
Let the ball soak for 5-10 seconds and then remove the ball from the bowl and begin rolling it between the palms of hands…roll gently at first…just like you roll a ball of play dough.
After rolling the ball around a few times, place your hand, with the ball, under hot running water…again as hot as you can handle.
Continue rolling the ball in your palms and placing it under hot water (only for a second) until it reaches the size and density that you want. Just keep rolling and increasing the pressure as the ball comes together. You will feel the ball of wool binding together and shrinking down. Keep rolling.
When the ball has reached the size that you like, set the felt balls aside to dry out thoroughly. Once the felt balls are dry and firm you can use them as you like.
The combination of heat, water, soap and friction allows the fibres to mend together to create the ball. The entire process takes about 3 minutes.
I lined up a bunch of dry balls and then moved through felting the balls one after another. That seemed to be the best process for making the felt balls.
So, now the question is what to make with all of these felted balls? I’ve been inspired by the nature around me…the autumn season. Be sure to check out how I made felt ball acorns…complete with real acorn toppers. And, I also made a lovely felt ball necklace.
Where can I buy wool roving?
Okay, I purchase my wool roving from a friend of mine. However, wool roving is available anywhere that you buy yarn and fabric.
I also discovered this awesome selection of wool roving from Amazon. Be sure that the roving you are purchasing is wool and not polyester. Only wool roving will bind together properly for felted projects.
More Felt Crafts to Make
Check out this amazing collection of felt Christmas ornaments to make
Make sure you are following along…
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Deborah says
How cool is that?? I am going to give it a try!
freescia says
This is golden! I bought a litle felt acorn with real acorn cap at a craft show for my daughter age 2 at the time for $2. It was THE most precious item she ever treasured for about a year, and she always kept it in special place. It was always my greatest fear that this acorn would go missing and I lost the business card for the lady who was making them. Anyway, this is super cool!
maggie says
Where do you buy wool roving? I’ve never seen it before…
Jen Farr says
It really depends on where you live. If you are in Toronto, you can pick some up at Romni on Queen, West…http://www.romniwools.com/ You can also buy it online at Etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&includes%5B%5D=materials&search_query=wool_roving Check with your local yarn/wool shop they can point you in the right direction.