Saturday, May 25, 2013

~Wool Dryer Balls~

Some friends and I got together to make some wool dryer balls. It was a fun morning together. Since the project didn't take too much thought there was lots of conversation, the topics ranging from all manner of crunchiness since we were already being so crunchy and making wool dryer balls (of course, the ultimate crunchiness I suppose, would be to line dry laundry and then we wouldn't need to have wool dryer balls, but I digress).

I had quite a few scraps of yarn from various projects, so my balls are uncoordinated:

 
Mine went through two wash loads (one hot and one cold), and then through the dryer. I like the way they turned out, and I'm using them this morning as I do laundry. So far, so good! :) I read that you can use from 3-6 balls in the dryer, so I'm thinking of making a few more.
 
If you're unfamiliar with dryer balls, their purpose is thus:
:::to separate the laundry as it tumbles to help it dry faster, preventing the laundry from bunching up
:::to prevent static so laundry softener is not necessary and
:::if they are wool, to absorb some of the moisture from the laundry, speeding up the drying time
 

Project notes: we had a wool sweater which was felted, and we started our balls with a  folded strip of the sweater, so we wouldn't need quite so much yarn. Then we just wrapped and wrapped and wrapped...after that we stuck the balls in nylon knee highs, separating them from one another by either a knot or tying it off with yarn. The nylons accomplish two things: they help the balls hold their shape through the wash and they prevent lint from clogging your drains. Also, it is important to note that 100% wool yarn that has not been treated for washing is necessary (the yarn will be labeled "washable" or "superwash" if it has been treated).

 
Unrelated: here you can see a glimpse of my flower bed. Everything but the petunias are perennials. I'm excited to see the Asiatic lilies bloom. I have three and this year two of them have reproduced. I'm not sure when to split them, but I assume it would be after they bloom. I'll have to look into that.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I already don't use softener because of allergies, but I'll have to try.

Ruth said...

Jessica made some wool dryer balls and says they work great. I like your idea of using felted sweater strips to start. I keep telling myself that I'm going to make myself some of these one day soon.

Charity said...

I love your dryer balls! Such a fun little project. I made some quite some time ago - I may have posted about them, I don't remember. I still use them! I made mine out of roving and it seemed to take a bit of work to get them felted. I like the idea of using the yarn instead! Very nice!