By Lynne Morgan
You can make a cute felted cat toy with this easy method of felting. The felted cat toy is tough and chewy like pretend prey. It also has the "hairyness" to give a sense of realism for your little tiger... Without the charming hairball after effect.
These are lighter than the full felt construction, easier and faster to make, and have a bell inside for added pleasure. It's a simple and practical way to recycle small amounts of wool fleece and yarn that will felt.
Materials:
Plastic 'wiffle' balls, any size, but the 13 to 33 sizes work best.
Wool fleece: 1/4 oz for small toy, 1/2 oz for large toy
Small bells - 1 per ball
Plastic twist ties
White glue
Nylon stocking (legs only) or knee-hi's
Wire cutters or similar cutting device
Washing Machine
Directions
1. Make 2 cuts to the plastic on either side of one hole with the wire cutters so that it creates an opening to push the bell through. Gently push the bell in through these cuts in the plastic so that it is now inside the ball.
2. Apply a thin layer of white glue to all outside surfaces of the ball. You might want to set this on a piece of plastic or wax paper. Work fast enough so that the glue does not dry before you apply the wool.
3. Add the wool to the outside of the ball in a random pattern making sure to cover it completely and uniformly. (Set some of the wool aside to add later if you have thin or bald spots after the first felting.) Wrap pieces of yarn around the wool if you choose.
4. Clasp the covered ball in your hand and slide it into your nylon stocking leg or knee-hi. If you don't protect it from the friction inside the stocking, the wool and everything else will be pulled off of the ball and you will have to start over.
5. Twist the stocking and add the plastic twist tie to close the opening (just like a bread bag) Using a plastic twist tie is critical because a paper based tie will disintegrate in the washing machine! Put the 'stocking ball' into your laundry and wash with a load of clothes on warm or hot water with a cold rinse.
6. When the laundry is done, carefully take your ball out of the stocking (the stocking can be re-used many, many times before it will fall apart). Some parts of the wool may slightly felt to a new stocking but this lessens the more you make.
7. Check the ball for thin or bald spots. If you find that you have any, let the ball dry thoroughly and repeat adding more glue and yarn to the affected area. Then put it back into the stocking and launder again with your next load of laundry.
If you would like to try these fun cat toys and need the supplies, you can find them at sevenyaks.etsy.comI have always loved the arts of all kinds. I began dyeing fabric, wool and yarn while I pursued a minor in fiber at the Cleveland Institute of Art back in the early 1990s and my major was metals & jewelry design.
I am focusing part of my creative energy on dyeing yarn and fiber for knitting as well as custom crafted colorways for skeins of yarn.
I have an eStore at etsy.com with custom fibers and jewelry supplies. If you are looking for beads, unique wool blends, stitch markers, knitting needles, crochet needles, yarns, and more please stop by.
In the future I will be adding custom dyed fabrics for quilting and sewing related crafts. Be on the look-out!
I like to network with other artists and crafters. It is always interesting to see and read what others are doing. Drop me an email, or make a comment, if you have any suggestions or questions.
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