Creating felt balls in a washing machine involves preparing wool fibre and allowing the machine's agitation to felt it.
Making felt balls using a washing machine is a convenient way to felt wool fibres effectively. This method utilizes the combination of hot water (typically from a regular wash cycle), soap residue, and the mechanical action of the washing machine to bind the wool fibres together into a dense ball.
Here is a simple method based on the provided reference:
- Prepare the Wool Ball: Start with approximately 50g of wool fibre. Use a little soapy water to help shape it initially.
- Contain the Ball: Place the newly formed ball into the toe of a 'pop sock' or the cut-off foot end of a pair of tights. This helps keep the ball together during the felting process.
- Wash and Felt: Put the contained wool ball into the washing machine with your next regular wash cycle. The agitation and temperature of the wash will felt the wool.
- Dry the Ball: Once the wash is complete, remove the felted ball. Dry out the finished ball in an airing cupboard or on a radiator until completely dry.
This process leverages the existing laundry cycle, making it an efficient way to produce felted wool balls for various craft or decorative purposes.
