Felted Carrots
Supplies
- Orange Wool Roving (can be found online or at most craft stores)
- Green Yarn
- Pom-Pom Maker
- Large Needle + Scissors
- Plastic Bag
- Dish Soap
- Plastic Bin or Lid
1) Tear small pieces of the wool roving (I did mine about 5 inches long — the size will determine the size of your carrot). Lay the pieces in a criss-cross pattern, alternating layers of wool vertically and horizontally. You can lay the wool roving pieces on your plastic lid or in a plastic bin.
2) Boil water.
3) Pour a little bit of dish soap on top of your layers of wool roving, and when your water is done boiling, pour the boiling water on top of the wool until it is saturated.
4) Wrap your hand inside a plastic bag to protect it from the hot water. Gently press the wool with your protected hand so it soaks up more water. Slowly begin to scrub the wool in a circular motion. The fibers will begin to interlock and form felt.
5) After about 2 minutes of scrubbing, lift up your piece of wool and put it in the palm of your hand. (If the water has cooled off at this point you can remove the plastic bag. If not, leave it on!) Rub your palms together with the “carrot” in the center. It should start getting a skinny carrot shape at this point. Continue to rub until the fibers of your carrot feel tight.
6) Run cold water over your carrot, rubbing it in between your palms even more. The fibers will continue to shrink and tighten.
7) Make a pom-pom according to the instructions on your pom-pom maker. Leave a yarn tail on your pom-pom.
8) Thread the yarn tail of your pom-pom through the large needle, and attach it to the top of your carrot. After the pom-pom top is attached, you can leave the yarn tail or trim it off, depending on what you would like to use your carrot for.
The felt of your carrot will take 12-24 hours to dry. Use it as a napkin ring for Easter brunch, part of an Easter basket, a spring garland, or a table decoration.
