This project was a first for me – I had never felted anything before. Have you? I took a fiber art class in college but there was none of this stuff. I was a little worried the process would be complicated and I would be unable to figure out how to make the vision I had in my head. When the wool roving arrived, I was astonished how gorgeous and vividly colored they were. I have them laying out in my work space because they are so pretty to look at!
I didn’t worry about the process for long. Not only is it simple and easy, I really enjoyed the peacefulness and quietness of it. I absolutely love how wool roving can be turned into something tangible like a cozy. It’s very satisfying.
Supplies:
-wool roving – So many colors to choose from!! I used Pomegranate, Olive, Bark Brown & Vanilla
-Clover Felting Needle Mat, small
-Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool
-Hand Painted Silk Ribbon – Klee Collection
To make the cozy, peel off a length of wool roving, long enough to wrap around a cup. The size can be adjusted later; it doesn’t have to be exact. Lay the roving on the needle mat and begin piercing it with the felting needle tool. As the needles go through the wool it connects the fibers, making a cohesive ‘fabric’.
The more piercing, the more cohesive as you can see below. It doesn’t take very long and the OCD part of me loved this part. Continue felting until you have a piece that can wrap around a mug.
The flowers are next. With a small piece of roving, curl it into a circle/ball shape. No rolling or wadding, just gently fold into a roundish shape. Place it wherever you’d like the flower.
Then simply pierce it with the felting needle tool until it is firmly attached to the wrap portion.
Add as many flowers as you see fit, attaching them with the same technique.
To add the little brown centers, take a very small piece of roving and place it in the center of the flower. Pierce with the felting needle tool until attached.
I was very surprised at how little roving was needed to make the shapes on the cozy. Even with a small piece, the color is still so vibrant.
Flowers, all in a row.
Stems! Shape a small bit of roving into a skinny line and attach it with the felting needle tool. The stems were tricky only because they were so skinny.
Mistakes or gaps can be filled with a little extra roving. I did add a few leaf-like pieces after this picture.
This is a tie-on cozy and it was attached by sandwiching ribbon between the already felted wrap and another piece of roving. Felt it into place with the needle felting tool. Make sure to pierce the wrap a little extra right where the ribbon pieces are to hold them securely.
And that’s it!
For a printable version of this tutorial (plus order your supplies!), head to Ornamentea. And then grab your hot beverage, a book and get cozy.
Take care.
