Homemade Dryer Balls

HOMEMADE DRYER BALLS

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to try to make homemade dryer balls out of some of my leftover wool. After googling dryer balls, I found many sites extolling the virtues of these balls, such as cutting down on drying time, no longer needing to use fabric softener or dryer sheets. I was sold. I found a number of sites with instructions on how to make wool dryer balls and they were almost unanimous in how to make them.

Here's how I made them:

Remember: To have the balls felt you must use 100% wool yarn (it can't be superwash) and hot water.

1. I had 102 yds of leftover wool from a project. I wound it into 4 balls approximately the size of a golf ball. Secure the end by tucking it under the wound yarn with your fingers, a needle or a crochet hook.

2. Put the balls into something that will keep them separate from each other but where they'll be secure in the wash cycle. I used a lingerie bag and tied a piece of left over acrylic yarn (string will also work) between each of the balls. I have also seen suggestions to use pantyhose and socks places to put the balls.

Put the balls in the washer on the hot water cycle. In order to not waste water and energy, I put them in with a load of laundry. The additional agitation with the clothes helps the felting process.

Once the wash cycle was done, put the bag of balls into the dryer with the laundry.

3. Once the dry cycle is done, take the balls out of the bag. They will be slightly felted. Wrap the slightly felted cores with more wool yarn. I used a leftover skein (223 yds) of gray wool

4. Secure the ends, tie the balls up separately in the lingerie bag (or whatever you are using), wash them in hot water with a load of laundry, tumble dry and you have dryer balls. I put these dryer balls through the wash/dry cycle twice but once should be plenty as they will continue to felt as you use them in your dryer cycle.

5. They are ready for use.

Stitches East

Oh, my. I went to Stitches East in Hartford, CT this weekend (10/30 - 10/31). Everything I ever heard about it is true. It's overwhelming in the beginning. I met my friend around 10am on Sat. the 30th. We planned to just shop on Sat., and take classes on Sunday. We walk into the market place in the Hartford convention center and just see rows and rows of vendors. Felt like a million, but, was 200. We started in the middle since most of the crowd went to the right. We didn't even make it out of the first aisle and my friend already had a purchase of red and purple variegated yarn to make Doris Chan's Irish Mist Stole for her mother for Christmas. Good purchase though and unique enough to break the rule we had set - no purchases until at least one lap is done. Still, it's too funny that we broke the rule about 15 minutes into the shopping experience. Did 2 more aisles and then decided to take a quick break. Talked a little about what we might actually be looking for. Thank goodness I came up with a list of things I'm interested in making so I could focus at least a little bit.

Next stop and purchase Tess Designer Yarns. We both got microribbon. I got a light gray and she got a pretty variegated for a baby. My ribbon is earmarked for the wavy ribbon scarf and hers for a baby kimono.

After that things get fuzzy, but, needless to say purchases were made. I got yarn for the sweet pea shawl by Amie Hirtes, Mr. Green Jeans by Amy Swenson, in Knitty Fall 07, Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl by Doris Chan. More than enough to keep me busy as if I didn't already have plenty to keep me busy already.

Day 2 the 31st. I attended two classes. Breathtaking Buttonholes and Buttonbands. It was given by Maureen Mason-Jamieson. Her website is: http://www.kinverknits.com/. Excellent lesson on the various types of buttonholes and how to make sure the buttonband doesn't 'scoop'. I love having a chance to sit and practice. I'm definitely keeping the swatch so I can see the buttonholes again and pick the right one for the project I'm working on.

2nd class Mosaic Knitting with Melissa Leapman. Mosaic knitting is a technique that uses slipped stitches to create two (or more) colors on a piece without having to carry the yarn. Plenty of time to practice and am glad I have knowledge that technique. Don't have a plan for it yet, but, I will.

Great time. Defintely overwhelming. If you go, I suggest coming with at least a few ideas of what you want to make or buy or you easily may end up spending way too much. Also, try to go through the marketplace at least once without buying anything. Make notes on where you found things you liked, compare prices. Someone was telling me they found the same yarn at another vendor for $10.00 less than the first time they saw it.

Good classes, but, the classes are crowded.