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Monday, September 20, 2010

Let's Make Some Acorns, Y'all! - Felted Acorn Tutorial


Felted acorns have been showing up everywhere online recently.  People are even selling them on etsy!  I'm here to show you how to make your own.  I'm sure there are several ways to make them, but this is the way I did mine.  I did google the subject before I started and one thing that came up was a video.  I only watched a few seconds of it because the woman in the video was using a roving (a long and narrow bundle of fiber. It is usually used to spin woolen yarn) and I wanted to use yarn.  You can buy roving at most craft stores either in a natural color, that you would dye on your own, or pre-dyed.  Being able to buy roving at a craft store makes making the acorns that way, easier, but since I've never made acorns from roving or even felted a roving before, I don't know how much you're gonna get out of those little packs of roving.  To me, using yarn just made more sense, because I already have so much of it on hand.  I do have some natural roving, but I didn't want to deal with dyeing it.  I wanted to get right to the making of the acorns part.
 

To make the acorns with yarn, you will need:
  • 100% wool yarn in various colors
  • a tape measure
  • liquid soap
  • scissors
  • glue gun or super glue
  • acorn caps

I tried several different 100% yarns and I got the fastest and best results with Patons Classic Wool.  I buy mine at AC Moore.  I'm not sure what other craft stores carry it.  *** edited to add that Michaels carries this yarn too.


Run a sink full of hot water.

For a large acorn, cut 180 inches of yarn.  If you're making a small acorn, start with 60 inches.

Wad it up.

Wet it in hot water.  Wet woolen yarn is STINKY.

Begin to roll it between your palms. 

After about 30 or so seconds of rolling, it will look a little like this.

Add some soap.

Roll some more.

Pet your helper.

Your yarn mass should begin to look like this.  Keep rolling.  Alternate adding soap with rinsing in hot water.  Keep rolling and squishing.  You can shape your acorn while you're doing this.  It's kinda like rolling Silly Putty between your palms.

One last rinse in hot water.

There might be nubbins.

Cut 'em off, but don't throw them away.

You can do a little more of the felting to soften the cut edges.

Test your acorn body to make sure that it'll fit inside the acorn cap.  If it's too big, use a bigger cap, or cut away the excess.

Let the acorn body dry a bit.  I did this one while it was still damp and it's fine.

Apply glue inside the cap.

Squish the acron body in and hold it for about a minute (long enough for the glue to grip).


Voila!  Your acorn.  That little baby one... it was made from a nubbin. 


Whew!!  Wow, that's a lot of pictures!  I hope that this was clear enough for someone who isn't familiar with felting, to be able to make these.  If you've got any questions, just ask in comments.

Come back tomorrow for part three of the Fiber Fall Wreath Tutorial Series; felt leaves and putting it all together.


This post is Part 2 of 4 of my Fiber Fall Wreath Series.
See Part 1 here.

See Part 3 here.



Linking to:
Countdown to Fall Party @ Domestically Speaking
DIY Project parade @ The DIY Showoff
Anti-Procrastination Tuesday @ New Nostalgia
Anything Related at All thingz Related
Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy's Corner
Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios 
Take a Look Tues@ Sugar Bee - Craft Edition  
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative 
Trendy Treehouse Creative Share
Fall Festival @ This Blessed Nest 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts 
Make It Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden
Look What I Made Day @ Creations by Kara 
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design 
We Did It Weds @ Sew Much Ado 
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori 
Strut Your Stuff Thurs @ Somewhat Simple  
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage  
Hookin Up W/ HOH @ House of Hepworths  
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence  
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Show Off Fall Festival @ The DIY showoff  
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Get Your Halloween On @ Sawdust and Paper Scraps  
Remodelaholic's Anonymous @ Remodelaholic 
Saturday is Crafty Day @ along for the ride 
Check Me Out Sat @ Along for the Ride 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 
Link Round Up @ The Idea Room 
Style Feature Sat @ Perfectly Imperfect 
Making Monday Marvelous @ C.R.A.F.T.  
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch  
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff  
Upcycled Awesome @ The T-Shirt Diaries 

50 crafty peeps said:

  1. Replies
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  2. super cute! I'm glad to see this done with yarn- I am having the worst time finding roving to make these! :)

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  3. great tutorial!

    So cute your little nubby!

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  4. So cute! I've never tried felting before, you made it look nice and easy-thanks!

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  5. OMG this is BRILLIANT and looks so EASY! I LOVE IT and will absolutely be trying it out! THANK YOU!

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  6. Oh i don't know if you can make roving this way! I will try! Thank you for your time posting this lovely tutorial.

    Dita
    http://maulani.etsy.com

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  7. Thanks for the great tutorial! I've always loved felted acorns, but thought you needed roving and I never have that on hand.

    suzy

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  8. Oh, dear! These are adorable!
    Now I know how to felt yarn!!! Cool!
    Thank you so much for the sweet, uplifting comment you left me yesterday!
    It reminded me that I do have a purpose while I am here, and that I can make a difference!
    I am so glad that you are seeking God's ways--His ARE the best.
    Your story encourages me right back because my sister, whose baptism I attended, is now saying she no longer believes in God. I pray she will make her way back--I know she reads my blog--she sees the link on FB, and she knows where I stand, and I hope that I can continue to use my tattered life, now mended, to guide my sisters (you included) to the One who healed my soul!
    Will talk to you soon about a Flea Mkt. trip??
    Hugs!
    ~me

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  9. These are so cute! I am sending my grandchildren outside to find acorn caps now!
    Hugs, Sherry

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  10. OMG! thank you it was a great tut. I have been wanting to try felting wool like this and your instrucsion were very clear.... yeah, off to find some woll!

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  11. Wow! These are so cute! I've never heard of "felting!" I'll be sure to try it! Going to bookmark this....!

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  12. I'm so glad you liked the recipe! :D
    I have a Hannah too- just saw that in your lil bio. Have a great day!

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  13. Oh, wow! Adorable. Totally makes me sentimental for my grandfather. We used to find acorns on our walks when I lived with my grandparents in PA. I used to name the acorns. haha.
    Now I am in So. Cal. Where am I gonna find acorn caps?? On the hunt!

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  14. How cute are those!! And your tutorial is great too! I've seen some made with fabric but not felted! Thanks much!
    ~Liz

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  15. ohh my gosh how cute! I need to, have to, really want to make these haha!! Check out my blog if you get a chance.

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  16. the top picture alone makes me smile. these are adorable! so stickin cute!

    thanks for linking up to the FALL FESTIVAL! such a great tutorial too!

    HAPPY FALL!
    kellie

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  17. So stinking cute and easy to do. I love acorns! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. So awesome!!!!! I am going to make these for sure, I love autumn decorating.

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  19. These are super cute and easy...I had no idea yarn would do that!

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  20. So very neat! May have to try this one. They're very cute! And we happen to have an oak tree in our front yard. :-)

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  21. I love these! I purchased wool roving that was died from Hobby Lobby and my daughter and I made felt eggs recently. She will love to made the acorns! We have tons in our yard! How adorable! Thanks!

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  22. I had no idea this was how to make these. I've seen them in blogland -- so fabulous! Thank you for the tutorial and for sharing your talents with us all. It's appreciated.

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  23. Thank you! What a great tute! I think these are soo cute!

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  24. this is amazing-- i'd love it if you'd join us tomorrow at A Crafty Soiree and share this! And I'm your newest follower
    Cheers! Malia
    www.yesterdayontuesday.com

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  25. Hey there! First of all I love your blog and am now a follower! (found you through shabby chic cottage) Second I love these acorns, the leaves, the wreath...the whole thing! So adorable. And third I have that exact dog magnet that is in you blog banner! Fourth, I saw you live in SC. I lived there from age 13 to 20.

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  26. YIPPEE!! TY TY!! Wondering how to do this!!

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  27. These are so cute! I think I'm going to try making some for my mom! Thanks for sharing! I'm now following your blog!

    Chrystal
    www.adornonashoestring.com

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  28. Wow, these are great! Thanks so much for sharing your project with us at Anything Related!
    {Rebekah}

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  29. Now that is creative! Thanks for the tutorial! Also, thanks for linking this project up to Thrilling Thursdays too!

    ~Lori S.
    Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

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  30. I just love these little guys! I'd love it if you posted it on my blog for my Fibers on Friday party!

    http://plumslife.blogspot.com/

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  31. WHAT A CUUUTTTEE IDEA!!

    Thanks for sharing it!

    Angel

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  32. Thank you so much for sharing that! I love the little acorns and had no idea how it was done. So cute!
    machelle

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  33. A friend sent me your link. These are so awesome, I can't wait to make some with my nieces (11, one of them is a Hannah too, and 8) They love the glue gun and who doesn't have fun squishing stuff around in suds and bubbles. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  34. Hah, that's cute. I've never known how to rove! Thanks for the tip.

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  35. Fantastic tutorial. Clear pictures and instructions. This is the first tutorial Ive bothered to read through about felting anything because I was expecting it to be so much more complex and that I wouldn't have everything i needed here at home, but you have given me hope!
    Thanks : )

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  36. I've seen felted acorns several places lately, but just thought making them was too difficult or required supplies I didn't have. Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial! These look simple and fun to make, and I'd love to have some to add to my fall decor!

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  37. Oh, so cute & clever!!

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  38. What A great craft!!! Can't wait to make it!!

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  39. over from creations by kara and this would be adorable for me and my girls to do as part of our fall lesson. We've got tons of acorns all over too.

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  40. Absolutely fabulous. What a fun idea..especially since I have a trunk full of yarn! I see lots and lots of acorns coming my way this season.

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  41. Love these Kristie - So cute! Thanks so much for linking to the sunday showcase party. I have featured these here: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/09/clean-mama-printables-giveaway-reminder.html
    Stop by and grab a featured button if you like.

    Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  42. Hi - I LOVE LOVE these. I am so going to make them. I mentioned you in my post about acorns today....

    I keep trying to copy the link...but it won't work.
    www.abirdandabean.blogspot.com
    Love, Erin

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  43. Great idea! Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  44. These are so cute!! My daughter wants to use them for her SWAPS for a scout camping trip. How long does it take to make one? She needs to make 20+. Thanks!

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  45. Wow. I am so very glad I found all of these neat things you have created.

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  46. Lol, love the step "Pet your Helper".... dropped by after doing a search for those adorable felted acorns (your like seriously one of the top search results). Love the tutorial, and I'm so glad to see there are other bloggers out there inspired by their patient helpers! I'm totally suggesting this to my friend, we want to try felted acorns together this fall, and this idea seems so much easier than needle felting each one!

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  47. All your hard work is much appreciated. Nobody can stop to admire you. Lots of appreciation. Lab Breeder North Carolina

    ReplyDelete