Wool is a fabric that tends to be exclusively associated with knitting projects. However, look closer, and you'll see that the many benefits of wool go well beyond its knitting appeal, making it an excellent material for a variety of DIY projects. Wool is not only easy to clean and work with, but it’s just about as durable as it is warm. The fabric has a wonderful way of deflecting moisture while simultaneously retaining heat.
While it’s common to see wool used as a base material for shirts and sweaters, there's a long list of alternative options available to crafters as well. With it you can create everything from car diffusers and cat dish rugs to unique wall art and mittens perfect for winter. Wool coasters created in myriad colors not only protect delicate surfaces at home but look amazing. Consider also that a collection of rainbow-hued wool balls might be just what’s needed to finish up that eye-catching art project the kids have been working on.
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How to make mittens with wool
Whether they’re for warmth on a chilly day outside or used to pick up a hot cup of tea at home, wool mittens are always good to have on hand. Buying them at the store can come with a hefty price tag, but you can create a DIY pair just as effectively and at a fraction of the cost. To make them, you'll need a panel of wool in a pleasing color as well as some edging scissors and strategic stitches. Once the wool comes together into mittens, keep them close by, like on an entryway table for when you're heading out the door or on the kitchen counter when you need to handle hot items. Learn to craft these mittens here.
Whether they’re for warmth on a chilly day outside or used to pick up a hot cup of tea at home, wool mittens are always good to have on hand. Buying them at the store can come with a hefty price tag, but you can create a DIY pair just as effectively and at a fraction of the cost. To make them, you'll need a panel of wool in a pleasing color as well as some edging scissors and strategic stitches. Once the wool comes together into mittens, keep them close by, like on an entryway table for when you're heading out the door or on the kitchen counter when you need to handle hot items. Learn to craft these mittens here.
How to make a wool car diffuser
When it’s time to freshen up your car, there’s no need to purchase air vent attachments at the store. Instead, turn wool into a one-of-a-kind car diffuser that’s stylish and simple to create. A cut of green wool works well for a leaf-shaped base you can hang from the rearview mirror with a piece of string. Attaching a few felted wool balls topped with authentic acorn lids adds a rustic touch. Spritz or soak the diffuser in a pleasing aromatherapy oil for a long-lasting scent that won’t drip, thanks to the wool’s absorbent nature. See how simple it is to create this diffuser here.
When it’s time to freshen up your car, there’s no need to purchase air vent attachments at the store. Instead, turn wool into a one-of-a-kind car diffuser that’s stylish and simple to create. A cut of green wool works well for a leaf-shaped base you can hang from the rearview mirror with a piece of string. Attaching a few felted wool balls topped with authentic acorn lids adds a rustic touch. Spritz or soak the diffuser in a pleasing aromatherapy oil for a long-lasting scent that won’t drip, thanks to the wool’s absorbent nature. See how simple it is to create this diffuser here.
DIY Everywhere
How to make coasters from wool
Having family and friends over is meant to be fun, but the moisture rings sometimes left behind by a misplaced cup or two are a downer. Thankfully, wool makes it simple to craft a collection of DIY coasters that protect surfaces and add a stylish flair to the tabletop. Cut wool into two circles and easily stitch them together by hand, then top with a third cut of wool in a contrasting color to look like everything from a cookie to a pastry! Stitching in whimsical phrases turns coasters into conversation starters. Place the coasters around your home for easy access and enjoyable get-togethers without the worry of stained or scuffed surfaces. See how to design these coasters here.
Having family and friends over is meant to be fun, but the moisture rings sometimes left behind by a misplaced cup or two are a downer. Thankfully, wool makes it simple to craft a collection of DIY coasters that protect surfaces and add a stylish flair to the tabletop. Cut wool into two circles and easily stitch them together by hand, then top with a third cut of wool in a contrasting color to look like everything from a cookie to a pastry! Stitching in whimsical phrases turns coasters into conversation starters. Place the coasters around your home for easy access and enjoyable get-togethers without the worry of stained or scuffed surfaces. See how to design these coasters here.
DIY Everywhere
How to make a cat dish rug with wool pennies
Instead of letting them sit idly by, turn those colorful scraps of wool at the bottom of your craft drawer into a cute rug for your cat dishes. Cut a fabric base into the shape of a fish to show your kitty you care about her preferences. Then, you'll stitch a collection of wool pennies in a rainbow of colors onto the base to resemble shiny scales. While the colors are sure to be eye-catching, the wool itself works well near food and water bowls by absorbing moisture as water spills or splashes. Wool is also easy to clean, meaning there’s no need to worry about unexpected pet messes. See the step-by-step instructions for this rug here.
Instead of letting them sit idly by, turn those colorful scraps of wool at the bottom of your craft drawer into a cute rug for your cat dishes. Cut a fabric base into the shape of a fish to show your kitty you care about her preferences. Then, you'll stitch a collection of wool pennies in a rainbow of colors onto the base to resemble shiny scales. While the colors are sure to be eye-catching, the wool itself works well near food and water bowls by absorbing moisture as water spills or splashes. Wool is also easy to clean, meaning there’s no need to worry about unexpected pet messes. See the step-by-step instructions for this rug here.
Wool balls and their many uses
Colorful wool balls seem simple enough, but with time, thread and some creativity, they can provide the finishing touch on a variety of DIY projects. Craft wool balls using a traditional felting process that involves rolling the wool into a ball, then adding dish soap before placing it in hot and then cold water. Once the wool is securely attached, hand-stitch the balls to a plain shirt, skirt or sweatshirt for a fun and vibrant accessory to any outfit. Hanging them from lengths of fishing wire attached to a wooden dowel rod makes a colorful mobile to hang in a child’s room. Add them to a key chain for a pop of color, or hang them in succession across a length of ribbon for a decorative garland that’s perfect for parties. Get more ideas for how to use these fun craft accessories here.
Colorful wool balls seem simple enough, but with time, thread and some creativity, they can provide the finishing touch on a variety of DIY projects. Craft wool balls using a traditional felting process that involves rolling the wool into a ball, then adding dish soap before placing it in hot and then cold water. Once the wool is securely attached, hand-stitch the balls to a plain shirt, skirt or sweatshirt for a fun and vibrant accessory to any outfit. Hanging them from lengths of fishing wire attached to a wooden dowel rod makes a colorful mobile to hang in a child’s room. Add them to a key chain for a pop of color, or hang them in succession across a length of ribbon for a decorative garland that’s perfect for parties. Get more ideas for how to use these fun craft accessories here.
DIY Everywhere
How to make wall art from wool
Wool can be dyed to a variety of hues and shades with ease, making it the ideal fabric for creating unique wall art for your home. When pulled apart to a wispy texture and set on a sturdy felt backing with a felting needle, wool has a way of maintaining a soft and whimsical effect that can capture the essence of a nature scene or spectacular sunset. Wool-based wall art is lightweight, meaning you can easily hang it from a dowel rod and mount it on the wall and even move it around to different spaces with little effort. The pop of color it brings to the wall would look nice in an entryway or a home office to brighten up the space. See the steps to designing this art here.
Wool can be dyed to a variety of hues and shades with ease, making it the ideal fabric for creating unique wall art for your home. When pulled apart to a wispy texture and set on a sturdy felt backing with a felting needle, wool has a way of maintaining a soft and whimsical effect that can capture the essence of a nature scene or spectacular sunset. Wool-based wall art is lightweight, meaning you can easily hang it from a dowel rod and mount it on the wall and even move it around to different spaces with little effort. The pop of color it brings to the wall would look nice in an entryway or a home office to brighten up the space. See the steps to designing this art here.
How to felt wool
Felting wool is simple to do using a few favored methods, all leading to creative results. Pull wool apart until it’s thin, and use a felting needle to push it into the desired shape using a cookie cutter, then use a foam block as the base. You an also felt wool to create wool balls that are fun for all types of crafting projects. Roll the felt into a ball, and add dish soap before alternating the fabric between hot and cold water. The wool easily absorbs the water and soap combination and holds tightly together. The simple wool ball is a super cool craft accessory that’s perfect for everything from key chains to apparel. Take a look at how simple it can be here.
Felting wool is simple to do using a few favored methods, all leading to creative results. Pull wool apart until it’s thin, and use a felting needle to push it into the desired shape using a cookie cutter, then use a foam block as the base. You an also felt wool to create wool balls that are fun for all types of crafting projects. Roll the felt into a ball, and add dish soap before alternating the fabric between hot and cold water. The wool easily absorbs the water and soap combination and holds tightly together. The simple wool ball is a super cool craft accessory that’s perfect for everything from key chains to apparel. Take a look at how simple it can be here.
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