7 Ways To Make Felted Wool Christmas Ornaments

Felted wool Christmas ornaments are a unique and eco-friendly way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Not only are they made from natural, sustainable materials, but they also provide a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit. In this article, we'll explore seven different ways to make felted wool Christmas ornaments, from simple to complex, so you can find the perfect project to suit your skills and interests.

Why Felted Wool Ornaments?

Before we dive into the different methods for making felted wool Christmas ornaments, let's take a moment to explore why they're such a great choice. Felted wool ornaments are made from natural wool fibers that have been matting, condensing, and pressing together using heat, moisture, and pressure. This process creates a dense and thick material that is perfect for crafting ornaments.

Felted wool ornaments are not only beautiful and unique, but they're also eco-friendly and sustainable. Wool is a natural, renewable resource that is biodegradable and non-toxic. Additionally, felted wool ornaments can be made using recycled or upcycled materials, making them a great choice for crafters who are looking to reduce their environmental impact.

The Benefits of Felted Wool Ornaments

Felted wool ornaments have a number of benefits that make them a great choice for holiday crafting. Here are just a few:

• Eco-friendly and sustainable
• Made from natural, non-toxic materials
• Can be made using recycled or upcycled materials
• Unique and beautiful texture
• Can be customized with different colors and designs
• Durable and long-lasting

Method 1: Needle Felting

One of the most popular methods for making felted wool Christmas ornaments is needle felting. Needle felting involves using a special needle to poke and mat the wool fibers together, creating a dense and thick material.

To make a needle felted ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• A felting needle
• A foam pad or other surface to work on
• Scissors
• A needle threader

Here's a basic tutorial for making a needle felted ornament:

1. Start by wrapping a small amount of wool roving around a Styrofoam ball or other shape.
2. Use the felting needle to poke and mat the wool fibers together, working your way around the ball.
3. Continue to add more wool and poke it into place until the ornament is the desired size and shape.
4. Use scissors to trim any excess wool and shape the ornament as desired.

Method 2: Wet Felting

Wet felting is another popular method for making felted wool Christmas ornaments. Wet felting involves using hot water and soap to mat and condense the wool fibers together.

To make a wet felted ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• Hot water
• Soap or detergent
• A sponge or other tool to agitate the wool
• A towel or other surface to work on

Here's a basic tutorial for making a wet felted ornament:

1. Start by wrapping a small amount of wool roving around a Styrofoam ball or other shape.
2. Dip the wool into hot water and soap, and use a sponge or other tool to agitate the wool and mat it together.
3. Continue to agitate and shape the wool until it reaches the desired consistency and shape.
4. Use a towel to remove excess water and shape the ornament as desired.

Method 3: Resin Felting

Resin felting is a newer method for making felted wool Christmas ornaments. Resin felting involves using a special resin to bind the wool fibers together, creating a strong and durable material.

To make a resin felted ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• Resin
• A mold or shape to form the ornament
• A mixing cup and stir stick

Here's a basic tutorial for making a resin felted ornament:

1. Start by mixing the resin according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Add the wool roving or felting wool to the resin and mix until it's fully incorporated.
3. Pour the mixture into a mold or shape and allow it to set.
4. Once set, remove the ornament from the mold and shape as desired.

Method 4: Nuno Felting

Nuno felting is a method that involves felting wool fibers onto a fabric backing. This creates a lightweight and flexible material that's perfect for making ornaments.

To make a nuno felted ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• A piece of fabric (such as cotton or silk)
• A felting needle
• Scissors

Here's a basic tutorial for making a nuno felted ornament:

1. Start by laying out the fabric and wool roving on a flat surface.
2. Use the felting needle to poke and mat the wool fibers onto the fabric, working your way around the shape.
3. Continue to add more wool and poke it into place until the ornament is the desired size and shape.
4. Use scissors to trim any excess wool and shape the ornament as desired.

Method 5: Fulling

Fulling is a method that involves matting and condensing wool fibers together using hot water and soap. This creates a thick and dense material that's perfect for making ornaments.

To make a fulling ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• Hot water
• Soap or detergent
• A sponge or other tool to agitate the wool
• A towel or other surface to work on

Here's a basic tutorial for making a fulling ornament:

1. Start by wrapping a small amount of wool roving around a Styrofoam ball or other shape.
2. Dip the wool into hot water and soap, and use a sponge or other tool to agitate the wool and mat it together.
3. Continue to agitate and shape the wool until it reaches the desired consistency and shape.
4. Use a towel to remove excess water and shape the ornament as desired.

Method 6: Needle Punching

Needle punching is a method that involves using a special tool to punch wool fibers through a fabric backing. This creates a thick and dense material that's perfect for making ornaments.

To make a needle punched ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• A piece of fabric (such as cotton or silk)
• A needle punching tool
• Scissors

Here's a basic tutorial for making a needle punched ornament:

1. Start by laying out the fabric and wool roving on a flat surface.
2. Use the needle punching tool to punch the wool fibers through the fabric, working your way around the shape.
3. Continue to add more wool and punch it into place until the ornament is the desired size and shape.
4. Use scissors to trim any excess wool and shape the ornament as desired.

Method 7: Felting with a Felting Machine

Felting with a felting machine is a method that involves using a special machine to mat and condense wool fibers together. This creates a thick and dense material that's perfect for making ornaments.

To make a felting machine ornament, you'll need:

• Wool roving or felting wool
• A felting machine
• A mold or shape to form the ornament

Here's a basic tutorial for making a felting machine ornament:

1. Start by loading the wool roving or felting wool into the felting machine.
2. Use the machine to mat and condense the wool fibers together, working your way around the shape.
3. Continue to add more wool and mat it into place until the ornament is the desired size and shape.
4. Use a towel to remove excess water and shape the ornament as desired.

We hope this article has inspired you to try your hand at making felted wool Christmas ornaments. With these seven different methods to choose from, you're sure to find one that suits your skills and interests. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting out, felted wool ornaments are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor.