It’s pumpkin time!

Fall is in the air! The weathers turning, it’s cool outside and we actually got some sprinkles of rain today in drought stricken Northern California. I love autumn, it’s my favorite time of year and I love having the symbols of fall, like pumpkins and gourds, decorating my house.

Several years ago, I began making felted pumpkins to hang from a branch on my table to celebrate, these are very similar to making the felted wool ornaments I love making at Christmas. These little pumpkins are so fun and easy to make.

To make felted pumpkins you will need:

wool roving in pumpkin colors
left over yarn, wool works best but other fibers will work too
pantyhose
orange and green embroidery floss or pearl cotton
long embroidery or crewel needle
scissors

Instructions:

These instructions are for making felted balls for a variety of different projects. For pumpkins you will use orange and yellow colored roving only.

To make the felted balls begin by rolling golf ball size yarn balls as a base for the felted ball. The finished ball will be slightly larger than the yarn ball.

I usually use wool yarn because I know it will felt better, but in a pinch I have used other yarn fibers too.

Unwind a length of roving, while holding it in one hand, grasp the end portion with the other hand and gently pull off “tufts” roughly 5-6 inches in length.

Spread the fibers into a thin flat layer with all the strands going in one direction.

Pull off another tuft of roving and layer it on top of the first at a 90 degree angle.

Repeat this process several more times, criss-crossing 4-6 thin layers.

When lifting the blanket of roving there should not be thin spots or holes.

Changing the colors of yarn in the layers will create a heathered multicolored wool ball.

Wrap the roving blanket you have created around a yarn ball, making sure there is full coverage of fluffy roving with no bare or thin spots.

Close the roving covered yarn ball in your hand and bring it to the foot of a knee hi panty hose. (buy cheap ones at the dollar store, or use those ancient ones in the back of your sock drawer) Gently remove your hand from around the ball and tie a knot with a small piece of yarn around the hose to secure the ball in place.

When all the balls have been wrapped in the hose, place them in the washing machine, set the water to lowest level and hottest setting.

Add a small amount of detergent, about a tablespoon, the exact measurement is not crucial but soap is important in the felting process. I usually run it on a long cycle, the more agitation the better the felting.

Here’s a video tutorial of the process of felting and making the pumpkins.

You can also make felted Jack Skellington inspired skulls for your Dia de los Muertos altar, by making white felted balls.

Cut 2 oval pieces of black felt for eyes, then stitch a nose, mouth and decorative designs like flowers and x’s with colorful embroidery floss.

  By the way, my favorite source for wool roving is Outback Fibers located in the Texas Hill country. They have a gorgeous selection of colors.  

Enjoy the harvest!

Keep creating,

Judy

---

I’d love to spark your creativity at one of these upcoming events:

2020

Craft Napa Jan 15-18, 2020!

February 2020: New Zealand! Christchurch, Napier, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Whatakane, New Plymouth, Ngarawhahia, and Whangerei

May 27-31 Woodland Ridge Retreat, Menomonie, WI
Tea & Ephemera and Painted Imagery

July Australia! More info TBA

August 11-13 Calico Cutters, West Chester, PA
Tsukineko Inks and Tea & Ephemera

October 18-24 Hudson Valley Quilt Retreat, Greenville, NY
Paint and Printapalooza

ABOUT JUDY
Judy is an artist, explorer, image wrangler, knowledge seeker, instructor, speaker, creative alchemist, and purveyor of inspiration, helping others channel creativity on a daily basis.