How to Use Wool Roving to Make a Dryer Ball
Wool dryer balls have the advantage of reducing static and absorbing excess moisture. This reduces the need for dryer sheets, and if essential oils are used in the crafting process, clothing will come out of the laundry smelling pleasantly.
The process of felting, or fulling, is taking non-machine-washable fiber and using hot, soapy water, as well as agitation, to make the fibers lock together. Unlike other fibers, wool can absorb up to 30 percent of its own weight in water, making it a viable choice to use for a dryer ball.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 lb of wool roving
- Short pieces of scrap cotton or synthetic string
- Nylon pantyhose
- Hot water
- Laundry detergent
- Washing machine or sink
- Pair of jeans
- Dryer
- Essential oils (optional)
Instructions
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Separate the roving into sections. Take one section and loop it around your fingertips. Tie the loop into a loose knot, being careful not to pull the fibers too much.
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Wrap the tail ends of the roving around your loop and knot base, so it loosely resembles a sphere.
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Continue wrapping until the ball is about the size of a tennis ball.
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Place the ball into the nylon stocking. Tie the top of the nylon stocking just above the ball with a piece of cotton or synthetic string.
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Use hot water and plenty of laundry detergent, and wash the nylon stocking that contains the roving ball. If using a washing machine, throw a pair of jeans into the machine as well, to help agitate the stocking. If washing by hand in a sink, vigorously knead the ball for approximately 1 hour. Take frequent breaks if felting by hand instead of machine.
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Remove the pantyhose from the water, and place into the dryer. Use a high heat setting. Dry your pair of jeans at the same time. The ball inside of the stockings will shrink considerably.
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Wrap more roving around the now-felted ball, and repeat the felting process until the finished felted object is the size of a tennis ball or larger.
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Rub a few drops of essential oil onto the finished dryer ball to eliminate the need for scented dryer sheets when doing laundry.
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Tips & Warnings
Non-machine-washable wool yarn can be substituted for wool roving. The process of felting will continue the more the balls are used. They will become harder and heavier. Make them bigger if they shrink too much. Many people make multiple dryer balls, and use up to three at a time. Having many on hand will let you to rotate them when doing multiple loads of laundry, allowing one set to finish drying while another is in use.
The fragrance from the essential oils will fade over time. Reapply as often as necessary. Nylon stockings can snag on the agitators of some washing machines and not only ruin the stockings, but stop the machine. Make sure you're using a pair you can stand to lose, or use a washer that does not have a center agitator.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Michael Wade, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewade/2761626206/
