Felted Dryer Balls

OK—no snickering at the title of this post.  It could have been worse.   I could have simply  titled it “wooly balls.”   🙂

I tried to be proactive all year and keep on the look out for cool homemade gift ideas.    During the months of November and December, I would like to share with you some homemade gift ideas that you can whip up during this gift giving season.

Today is the kick off.

The most recent issue of Mother Earth Living featured some great homemade gifts.  You can check out the great ideas here.  For the complete instructions for these balls, click here.  (If you have not picked up a copy of this new magazine, do so as soon as you are able.)

Instructions for Felted Dryer Balls
(wooly balls)

2 skeins of wool yarn
1 leg of a pair of old panty hose or tights
string or ribbon

Make 4-5 balls of yarn from two skeins.   Tie off the ends.   (I didn’t clip the end short but left a long piece.)

Place the balls in one leg of an old pair of tights.    Using string or ribbon, tie off each ball.   Don’t use yarn to do this or it will felt as well.    Also, don’t use jute or craft twine because it will come undone during the washing phase.

Wash in very hot water.   Dry with regular loads of clothes.   (I was afraid they would not get dry and mildew so I ran the balls that were still in the hose through multiple dyer loads of clothes.)

Remove from the hose and use in your next dryer load.

Note:  After making a second round, it is best to tie knots in the tights between each ball.   I used nylon string and it unraveled in the wash, too.

 

So easy.   Even if you aren’t crafty, you can make these.

These are suppose to help dry your clothes faster and make them softer because of the friction of the wool against the other pieces of laundry.    They are also suppose to last for years.

I was skeptical but as I was felting them, I ran them through three dryer loads.   My dryer is on its last legs and it sometimes takes me 90 minutes to dry a load.   The wooly balls  really did make the clothes dry faster.

Use these as decorative items, too, especially when they are scented with holiday spices like orange essence and cinnamon oil.

I had so much fun making these that I want to felt everything.  Look out Goodwill, I am on my way to buy you out of woolen sweaters and scarves.     (For more information on felting sweaters, go here.)