How to Make Felt Wool Balls for Just About Anything: Kitty Toys, Juggling, Christmas Ornaments, Stress Relievers, Baby Toys and Dog Toys

Due to the economy, this gift-giving season you may be looking for gift ideas that don't cost you money or items you can make instead of buy. Making felt balls are actually a very versatile item for gift giving. The beauty is varied by your color choices.

Wool is very easy to felt. Making a cat toy that is a felted ball can be a fun toy for your kitty or a great gift for your feline friends. These felted balls are multifunctional and can be used for a variety of different gift giving scenarios. They are also very green in that you can repurpose old sweaters or unused yarn to make them.

You will need a jingle bell, a variety of wool yarn, an old nylon stocking, and a washing machine.

To being, take the jingle bell and start wrapping it with wool yarn. You may have this yarn lying around or you may unravel an old wool sweater, or a pair of old wool socks. This would be a great repurposing idea. Vary the yarn color and size for different looks.

Continue to wrap until it is about thirty percent larger than you desire the ball to be when done. Felted wool shrinks in the process.

Tuck in the ends of the yarn or tie a knot.

Place the yarn ball into the nylon stocking and tighten it down to the toe, tying a knot in the nylon stocking to hold it in place snuggly. You can continue to make additional wool balls and fill the nylon stocking if you so desire.

Now wash the wool balls in a washing machine using hot water, adding a little soap. The hot water will cause the wool yarn to felt together. The soap will aid in the process and movement needed to bind the yarns. Basically anything wool will felt together with hot water, soap and a bit of agitation. You could add additional pieces of wool fabric or imbed little beads and such into the ball. Keep in mind your end user and don't choose anything that might cause harm.

You may place them into a dryer or allow them to air dry. Wet wool does not smell good, but once it is dry, the odor dissipates. If you choose, you could add a scent by dropping a few drops of essential oil or spray with perfume after they are dry.

While this was intended for a cat toy, it can also make a great baby gift or dog toy. Without the jingle bell, it makes a great decorating item. Consider a glass bowl full of colorful felted balls on your coffee table or dining room table. They can make great stress relievers or stocking stuffers. What about making three of them for juggling? Attach a hook and you have a Christmas ornament. I am sure there are other options too.