making felted balls...when do you need to use needle felting?

[rach03]

Dumb question here but I am completely ignorant when it comes to knitting, felting...any of this stuff!

When would you need to use needle felting techniques? What exactly does needle felting mean? I've been searching and reading about felted wool balls all day since someone mentioned it would be a good alternative to plastic play balls...I'd like to try making some, but I don't understand the needle felting part. When would you do this as opposed to just making the ball in your hands?

I found a website with some intricate designs, like rainbow stripes, polka dots, and swirls. Would you use needle felting to get designs like that? Does needle felting make the ball more secure?

Thanks!

[CallMeKelly]

I know one person here recently ended up with a great felt ball after she accidently tossed a ball of wool yarn in with the laundry... that is prob. the easiest way I've heard of...

I made a needle felted ball because I don't have good luck wet felting. To needle felt a ball you would have to purchase some felting needles and wool roving. To wet felt one I think you could use wool yarn or wool roving.

I would suggest a kit if you choose to try needlefelting (which is loads of fun, BTW... I've made two carrots, one strawberry, one apple, one pizza [which started as a cooke and declined the privelige for the sake of staying true to its soul, which was the soul of a pizza ] and two felted balls.

Peacefleece wool roving is super easy to needle felt into balls. I used a four needle holder/needle tool that came with the kit I bought from Etsy (made by moxie) and rolled up some roving then stabbed it a bit... rolled on some more roving, stabbed it a bit more, a bit more roving a bit more stabbing and wala! A really tough felt ball that even my two boys haven't managed to pull apart. It is tight and springy but the surface is completely solid... would be great for a ball pit.
http://feltingforum.com/phpbb/index.php has loads more information and lots of experts to ask... (I'm a total felt newb)

[rach03]

one pizza [which started as a cooke and declined the privelige for the sake of staying true to its soul, which was the soul of a pizza

LOL! Too funny!

Thanks I will check out that link! So basically you're just poking it into a ball
shape instead of rolling it with your hands? Does that mean you don't do the step where you dunk it in soap and water (the needle is doing the "felting" part instead)?

[rach03]

Oh and what a great idea to make food! I wanted to get DS some play food but didn't want plastic of course. The Haba wooden food is beautiful, but not cheap. Needle felted food would be awesome!