Felted wool balls question-wet felting

[Plarka]

I have some sheep's wool someone has given me that has been washed but not carded. I tried to make some wet felted balls and I don't think they came out right. They're too loose, not stiff and 'flat' and compact as I thoguht they should be. Is the wool supposed to be carded and is this why?

[coyotemist]

My wet felted balls don't always get as "felted" as I want. So I take an old pair of nylons and tie the ball inside a piece and put it through the washer. They come out perfect, then!

[Plarka]

I tried that too, and we live in England and have a front loading washer, so I guess that's why it didn't work either! I put tennis balls in, towels, lots of things to agitate it. I did put it in a sock because I don't have pantyhose, maybe I really need to use the pantyhose?

[sapphire_chan]

Are you using enough detergent?