Sunday, October 17, 2010

Acorns



It's fall around here, and inspiration is everywhere.



I made these up one night last week while hanging out with friends. It was my first try at needle felting. Can't say I am a huge fan, but it sure was fun to try something new. It was very simple: I waded up the roving and punched it with the needles until it was roughly acorn-shaped. Then I snipped off one end, filled the acorn cap with glue, and stuck the wool in. Simple, colorful and festive.

While it seems like a great project to do with kids, I wouldn't advise using the felting needles (ouch!) with small children. The little ones did help me collect the acorns, and acorn tops, however. If you wanted to involve kids, maybe you could give this a try with wet felting instead? I imagine you could similarly wad up the roving, felt it in your hands with a bit of hot water, and let them dry before gluing them into the tops.



The roving is from a trip to Stitches Midwest 2009, from the Village Spinning and Weaving Shop, and I love the color assortment. I was thinking these colors would also make a lovely necklace of small wool beads - or a garland of larger ones.

7 comments:

Ann Wegner LeFort said...

Beth: Where can I learn more about needle felting? I have an antique wool sweater that I used to live in, but it's been hanging by my craft table for years until I figure out how to patch the elbows. Recently I saw a sampling of needle felting, which I think is my best bet instead of sewing patches over the elbows. Any leads?

Thanks,
Ann

Yolanda Barker said...

These are amazing!! Love them.

Y

julie said...

they're really cute - love the colours you've used. Love your Bird in Hand mittens too - I hope my turn out as nicely and having seen your Deep in the Forest mittens I'm going to have to add those to my queue too!

mary frances said...

these are great! and so are all the projects in the last few posts--I'm almost as inspired by those as I am by the news you wrapped up your dissertation--congrats!!

Rebekah said...

These are adorable! What a perfect fall craft. I tried needlefelting but was too worried about poking my fingers with those barbed needles, so it never took off for me.

Juniper said...

Beautiful little treasures Beth, a lovely addition to fall decorations and good for counting and maybe some other kind of kid games.

Little C and Little J said...

I been meaning to post I LOVE THESE. They are seriously adorable.