Wool Roving Pompom Snowman and Trees

There so many ways to use wool roving pompoms and here are two- 

Snowmen and Evergreen Trees.

Snowman
 Materials:
24 inches (60 cm) white wool roving, or about 0.4 ounce (10 grams)
24 inches (30cm) white wool yarn
small amount of orange felt
two small twigs for arms 

sharp scissors
yarn needle
tacky glue

small amount of dark colored wool roving for eyes

felting needle OR

two small black glass beads

Time for the project:
pompoms: 10minutes each
assembling: 20 minutes

Age suggestion:
3+ with assistance
7+ on own


Following the instructions for making wool roving pompom's here:

Making Wool Roving Pompoms
Make 2, trimming one a little smaller to be the head of the snowman. Be sure and leave the long yarn ends on the head pompom. Yarn ends can be cut off the body pompom.

Use the yarn ends to attach the head to the body. Sew one yarn end at a time, sew through the body, then back up to come out at the neck.

 Wrap yarn ends around neck in opposite directions and tie tightly.
Cut yarn ends off close to knot.

With just a small amount of wool roving, needelfelt in gently at the right eye placement.
To get the most neat finish, needlefelt only a little to hold to place, right in the middle of the fibers. Trim the protruding ends close to the wool surface.Instead of needlefelting you could glue on small black beads for eyes.

 Cut a small triangle in orange felt. Open up the fibers in the pom pom and glue in place.Dab a small amount of glue on each twig arm and push well into the pompom.
A tacky or quick set glue works really well for this.

If this snowman is to be a tree ornament, sew on a thread as a hanger, passing through the whole head to make secure.

We think these also look like little owls- we may have to try some with small wings, instead of twig arms!
The Evergreen Trees are made in the same way as the wool roving pompoms.
When trimming, cut one end on more of an angle to form the tree top. These are fantastic used on a playmat, or in a nature corner.

To make the Christmas tree- cut carefully around the yarn ends used for tying the pompom. these can become the hanger. Follow the instructions for the snowman's eyes to add some decorations or lights to your little evergreen tree!

You can also wool roving pom poms to make little mice- maybe you can imagine how fluffy and  cute they would be! Made in the same way as the Evergreen Tree, but leaving one yarn end at the round end as a tail.  So sweet!

Warm wishes,
Fiona

Tree Project Day 2

This garland has really made our tree come to life- it does look festive now!
Tomorrow- more wool roving pompom crafts- snowmen, mice and trees.
These are some of my favourites- great as decorations and also nice on a nature table or for play.  Please stop for instructions and to see how our tree is coming together!
Warm wishes,
Fiona

Wool Roving PomPoms

I have been making these wool roving pompom's for years- and I love them!
They are so fast and easy to make, and have lots of great craft applications!

Materials to make each pompom:
12 inches ( 30cm) wool roving, or about 0.2 ounce (5 grams)
12 inches (30cm) wool yarn
sharp scissors

Time for the project:
pompoms: 10minutes each
finger knitting-1hour+
finishing:15 minutes

Age suggestion:
3+ with assistance
7+ on own

 

Start off with 12 inches (30cm) wool roving. It is important to use wool roving for these, as the fibers need to aligned in order to make a great pompom and to hold together. Wool batting will fall apart.
Hold one end of the wool in place with your thumb, and wrap around four fingers, with fingers slightly spread open.

 

Tie tightly between middle fingers with wool yarn. An extra pair of hands makes this much easier!

 

Cut open fibers at ends.

Fluff up the wool roving by gently pulling open the fibers to make it more of a ball shape.

 

"I think mine will be a big, shaggy ball!"
"I think you should keep it that way- I like it!"
And then the inevitable happens- wool roving pompom conkers!

Trim all around the pompom with scissors. Be careful not to cut the yarn ends!
You can get a very smooth surface on these balls of fluff, if you take some trim in trimming them.
Keep the trimmings as these can be great for other projects, like wet felting or as stuffing.

And you can mix up the colours of roving that you use to make multicolour pompoms.
Fluffy wool lovelies!

 To make these into a garland, finger knit,cork or knit I-cord with bulky wool.

We used our own plantdyed felted yarns for the finger knitting. Each length is about 12 feet  long, but you can make these in any length to suit your space.

Tie on the pompoms through the loops in the yarn. Knot well and then tie ends into bow for a little extra flourish.We tied one on each end and then one every 24inches.

These make a great garland for any festive celebration: hung over a window or doorway, or decorating a plant or tree!

Happy making!
Fiona