We spent some time with our sleeves rolled up and our hands in very warm soapy water to make these beautiful felted ornaments. I found the process to be calming, and we were both quite pleased with the results!
To make your own felted ornaments, you will need some wool roving and a dish of very warm soapy water. Dip a small amount of wool roving into the water and begin rolling it into a ball with the palms of your hands.
To make a larger ornament, just add a little more roving bit by bit until you have the size you want.
Allow to dry, and add a string. I tried to convince Emily to try some with different colors, but she wanted to make her ornaments all solid colors today. I love that they are not breakable!!
We’re also keeping some of these just as balls for Clara to play with. To test if the ball is large enough to not be a choking hazard, see if it fits through a toilet paper tube. If it does, it is too small, so keep adding wool roving until it no longer fits in the tube.
We played with the felt and warm water until our fingers were all wrinkly! So much fun!!
[Update: I’ve received several emails asking where to find wool roving. I found it at JoAnn’s, and it is usually near the yarn section. It looks a bit like cotton candy when it’s dry. You can also purchase wool roving at Amazon. See below.]
Dear Valerie,
Should I feel bad that we have so many things which Clara plays with that will fit through a toilet paper tube?
Maybe we should be using this one to test?
Love,
Mark
I bet Emma would love this activity! Where do you get wool roving?
My kids would LOVE to do this. What a cute idea.
@ Mark — Only you would find a photo of a massive roll of toilet paper!
@ maryanne — I seem to be getting a lot of emails about this too, so I'll update the post. You can find wool roving at JoAnn's and probably other craft stores as well. It is usually need the yarn section, and it looks a bit like cotton candy when it's dry. We had lots of fun with this, and I hope Emma does too!!
oo these look like so much fun to make! I am not sure my son would be up for making them yet (he's 2.5). But I would love to have them on the tree where he can reach and enjoy.
How fun! I might have to do that. I've been needing an excuse to go to the craft store…
great idea! They are super cute!
I like it! I just read a post where they added a jingle bell in the middle and then kept adding wool until the ball was a size they liked. I wish I could remember what blog so I could credit it.
This looks like a fun project. I'm heading to Joann's today!
I have never heard of wool roving. Wow, you are a true crafter. LOL… Oh, well actually I must be a true un-crafter! LOL. Non-crafter? How do you even put up with me? 🙂
Have a great weekend.
@Mark. ROFL… OMGosh!
Looks like fun. I too was wondering what the roving was but I see you answered that. Thank you for the idea.
Hi Valerie – I love your blog, thanks for bringing it to us! We all cracked up at the cardboard box that ate your kids!
You can also get wool roving – dyed or undyed – from Etsy.com, often from people who get it from their own sheep! It is not too expensive, since it is so lightweight (and I guess when you have sheep you probably have lots of roving to get rid of!)
Those look like a lot of fun to make.
another lovely project, i love working with wool and like seeing all that you do with your little ones : )