I’ve found so many felting activities online over the past few weeks. And with the recent success of my felt balls, I was inspired to give a new felting project a try. I wasn’t exactly sure of what I was making. I figured I’d see what happens and how easy it would be to do with my kindergartners, which is pretty much a constant motivator. Anyway, I saw this post on Moment to Moment, which looked totally inspiring, so I tried a mini version.
First I layed down some wool on bubble wrap
Then I wet the felt with hot water and soap. I actually started off with a squirt bottle and then just drizzled it on with my hand until the felt was pretty saturated.
I folded over the bubble wrap and rubbed, pounded and banged, which Ev wasn’t too into because he was trying to nap.
Then I rolled the felt up and moved it up and down the table making a pretty big mess. Ev wasn’t so into that part either.
I rinsed the felt under hot water and then cold-to shock the fibers. It wasn’t felting just yet, so I repeated the whole process about 3 times.
Then, as instructed, I put a few tennis balls and my new felt in the dryer for about 15 minutes. Then I let the felt dry out in the sun for a few. To be honest, it looked super cool, but I kind of was like, ok, now what? Then I noticed a shape making itself known in the felt. Is that? No? It can’t be. Yes! It’s a hamsa. It was totally there, practically lined out for me ain the fibers. So I got out my scissor and an old frame waiting for use, and voila! A felted hamsa.
It’s pretty darn pretty too. I can’t wait to make these for holiday gifts. I am planning to make Jewish Stars and Christmas trees and maybe a bird or too for a special friend of mine.
ps This process is totally suitable for kindergartners. They’ll love it!
