Needle Felted Rattle Ball


Do you love to needle felt or are you dying to learn how? This is a great project to get started, and as Cintia from My Poppet says, Can you stop at one? If this is your first time needle felting, don’t worry, Cintia will walk you through each step to make this adorable Needle Felted Rattle Ball. I’m thinking I found my go-to for new baby gifts or decorations for a baby shower. Hmm…

While you’re browsing through My Poppet’s cute tutorials like the DIY Tee Pee Tent check out Emma’s Room Revealed. I wish my room looked like this when I was two (where does one get the prettiest changing pad cover you’ve ever seen?). When she’s not crafting away My Poppet is traveling the world. That is my kind of girl.

Keep reading to get started on making your own Needle Felted Rattle Ball…


Needle Felted Rattle Ball

It’s been a while since I made a needle felting project, so I thought I would treat you to something a little bit special. I really love the idea of children playing with toys made from natural materials like wool, it’s really important developmentally to give them a rich sensory experience that plastic toys just don’t offer.

This needle felted rattle ball is a simple project, and I guarantee you will want to make more than one. A perfect gift for a special newborn or toddler. With a melodic jingle bell as a chime and it’s woolly tactile surface, both child and parent will appreciate this fun toy.

You will need:
Wool roving in your choice of colours, about 50g should be enough
Felting needles and pad
Sewing thread
Rattle/bell – pre-purchase ready made or see below to make your own.

Making the bell rattle:
It took me a while to find an adequate way to make a nice chiming sound inside the ball. If you use a bell on its own, the wool will muffle the ring. I found if you put the bell inside a little plastic container, it will jingle about freely and make a lovely sound. I have used a small plastic Easter egg container available from craft stores around Easter time.

Some other possible suggestions include:
-Glove containers, from packs of hair dye

-Film canisters

-Cat bell from a pet shop

You may also be able to buy ready made rattle inserts from craft stores.

Put the bell inside the container and secure it firmly with duct tape.

How to:
For those of you that aren’t familiar with the technique of needle felting you may want to read about Needle Felting Basics first.

-First we need to make a solid ball around the rattle, this will be your blank base that you can later decorate as you please.

-Start by firmly wrapping a layer of roving around whatever you are using as the rattle and secure it with some sewing thread.

-Repeat this with a few layers of wool roving and thread until you have your desired size (about the size of a tennis ball)

-Time to get your needle out. The idea is to poke or ‘needle’ the fluffy loose wool on the surface into a firmish ball without any lumps and that will hold its shape.

-Because the rattle in the center is a hard object we need to avoid poking the needle towards the middle as we risk breaking the needle
(it’s very brittle).

-A better technique is to ‘needle’ the outer surface towards the side of the ball, keep the sharp end directed at the pad.

-Now it’s time to get creative and decorate the ball. I’ve chosen to do a three colour dip dyed effect.

-Take small amounts of coloured roving and lay over the section of the ball you want to decorate, ‘needle’ in gently, taking care not to hit
the rattle.

-Go over the whole surface till the wool is firmly felted and you can not peel it off.

-Periodically roll between warmed hands to keep the shape even and remove needle marks.

-Finally to tidy up any stray fibers, give the ball a ‘surface needle’ (rub the needle across the surface).

-You’re done!

Can you stop at one?

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18 Comments

Amy

I’ve been looking for sweet n simple handmade rattles and wee baby toys. this is just perfect! thank you.

Reply
Loretta

I really want to try this, but when I went to Joann’s the thing would have costed me $12 in roving alone! Am I looking at the wrong place our is there somewhere I can get this cheaper?

Reply
Kelly

I found some at a Waldorf supply store. Joann’s has it for $3.99 for 1 oz and etsy has it as low as 2.20 an oz. I did find a grab bag on etsy for $18 for a lb ($6 shipping).

Reply
Jessica

hi! Loved your tute! I made these as a gift, and instead of doing the multi color, I used a coordinating color and felted the baby’s name (one letter on each rattle) turned out super cute! Thanks again!

Reply
Gift Wholesalers

Before buying any toys for your baby, do consider if it will hold the baby’s attention. Also, do ensure that the toys will survive the baby. Also, it should be easy for the baby to use it.

Reply
Trade suppliers

Mostly retailers and other small businesses buy their products from the wholesale suppliers in bulk quantities to maximize their profits by reducing their costs. In order to withstand high competitive costs, retailers and small businessmen are always in search of those suppliers from whom they can buy at the least cost with maximum quality.

Reply
Christmas Fairies

Babies can develop their skills fast by listening, watching and touching as this is the way they communicate in their early days. Providing a healthy environment is a must to develop and stimulate their growth in a fast processed way.

Reply

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