Making Felted Wool Beads

A few people have asked me about how to make felted beads. I use wool roving for mine - and I have to admit to a a passion for Merino. I suppose that it is possible to use old felted sweaters to make these - but I think it would be far more laborious and, possibly, not as effective. Some of you know that one of my least favorite introductions to a technique is "fast, fun & fabulous" but, dare I say it, these beads truly are just that.

You simply need some luscious wool roving. I have several favorite places to get these supplies -outback fibers, try or designs & pacific wool & fiber. Then you need very hot water (from the tap), a bowl of ice water, rubber gloves (I always loose these pretty quickly though) and some good fatty soap. I use Eucalan Wool wash (I love the scent) or an olive oil soap- but actually even dish soap does just about as well I think.

Gently take some fibers of wool - I like to mix colors . You really don't need much fiber depending on the size of the bead you want to make. This is the amount I general use for a smallish bead.

Gently wet the fiber with hot water.
Add a bit of soap. You DO NOT need much soap. Too much will make the wool too slippery to work with. If this happens - just rinse some of the soap ff with hot water.

By now I have lost the rubber gloves. I just can't get good traction on the fiber with gloves on...it's never works for me! Work the wool into a ball by rubbing with circular motions in the palms of your hands . When it has begun to form a ball - throw it in the ice water for a second or two - then back to the hot water with a tad of soap. Just keep working the fiber, and alternating between the hot & ice waters until you have formed a nice tight felted bead. If it seems that the fibers are not felting - just keep on working it - they will. Each bead will take from 3-5 minutes to get a nice rounded shape. Be patient.

Before you know it you will have a supply of felted wool beads of varying sizes... think of the possibilities! I like to make small beads and dangle them from the bottom edge of small quilts. What will you do with yours??