Felt pom-poms

1   Wrap the thick woollen yarn around the pom-pom making tool.

2   Tie a 1 mm elastic cord around the yarn, pull it tight and tie a knot – this will ensure that the pom-pom can handle a round in the washing machine later.

3   Cut off the ends of the elastic cord. Now, tie the bamboo string onto the outside of the elastic cord and make a knot. Leaving two ends of approx. 10–12 cm length, tie another knot, this time around the ends.

4   Cut open the pom-pom. Use sewing scissors with a point that can easily cut through the thick yarn.

5   If needed, 'prune' the pom-pom with scissors before washing it in the washing machine at 50–60 degrees. Add a light-coloured towel or jeans to the pom-poms for better friction/felting.

6   Once the pom-pom has done washing and been air-dried, you can attach a key ring with a chain. Tie a double knot with the pom-pom’s bamboo strings around the chain’s small ring. Cut off the ends and give the knot a small dab of glue so that it will stay strong enough for daily use.

7   Add details to the felted ball with wool, a felting needle and a needle felting foam pad (optional). The bigger the balls, the easier it will be.