If you don’t like simple jingles, felt around them. In this way you will make them more beautiful and original. They will be good for a baby to play with.
Take a plain scrap of a thin wool (about ¼ inch). Put the jingle bell in the middle and wrap it uniformly in the wool so it is covered completely. Roll it between your hands tightly until it begins to snarl together.
Wet the outside stratum of the ball under warm water that is close to hot. Add a bit of a dish soap. Now roll it in your hands closely and quickly. If some wool goes apart, tease it and try again. Roll until it sticks together and becomes like felt. When this stratum seems good enough, add one more stratum of downy wool. Repeat the same – roll closely, add water if the outside stratum is too dry or starts to fall into pieces. Add a bit of soap, when you need. Go on to add strata. Make little ones, because you cannot felt big amount of wool at once.
Continue until you are satisfied with the size. To make the last stratum, use colored wool and make the design you like. When everything is ready, wash the ball to remove soap in the warm water. It’s better to use running water and twist the ball mildly to not spoil its form. If your ball seems you not firm enough, place it in the toe of baby tights or in a baby sock and put it in the dryer. Dry it on hot.
Now your ball is firm and well designed. And original felted jingle ball is ready.
The image was originally posted on http://www.blacksheepdesigns.com