Soft Felted Fleece Balls

These soft fleece balls can be used in several ways and really are great fun to make. They look exciting piled high into a modern bowl, especially when they are made from coloured fleece. They also make good, safe play-things for babies and children, and making them is ideal for those wanting a relaxing, simple creative project.

You will need:

200gm Creswick wool fibre, dyed or plain, Ping pong balls, or golf practice balls, Container for hot water.
Cake of pure soap

• The easiest place to do this is over the kitchen or bathroom sink, or on an outside table with a bowl of hot water
in front of you. If working with children make the water only as hot as can be safely used.

• Start with ping-pong ball or a golf practice ball. Wrap this ball in a layer of fleece, being sure the ball is
completely covered. Holding the fleece firmly around the ball with both hands, dip your hands into the water
until you feel the fleece is saturated with water.

• Squeeze your hands gently to be sure it’s quite wet. Un-cup your hands, and while still firmly holding the fleece
around the ball squeeze again to remove most of the water, then rub soap over the fleece thoroughly. Splash
the ball with hot water.

• Start rotating your cupped hands over and around the ball, vigorously rubbing the soap into the fleece. Felting
of the fleece will occur with a combination of heat, soap and friction. Continue rubbing the surface, either with
fingers and thumb, or the palms of your hands, or a combination of both. Rub in more soap, then splash more
hot water onto the soapy fleece before rubbing it in.

• When the fleece has settled into a smooth layer, wrap the ball in another layer of fleece, and repeat the process
of felting with water, soap and friction.

• Add as many fleece layers as you wish until the ball reaches the dimensions you require. Rinse/squeeze under
gently running cool water. A certain amount of soap will remain in the fleece, but you should rinse until only
a little soap remains. Pat the ball back into shape after rinsing, if required, then set aside to dry thoroughly in a
warm place.

• Dried balls may be embroidered, appliquéd or simply left plain and textured.

• As they’re so light, add beads and tassels for lovely Christmas tree trims.

• If using un-dyed fleece, you may wish to explore the possibilities of dyeing fleece with natural ingredients, such
as tea, coffee or plant dyes.