How to Make Wet Felted Cords and Dreadlocks | Step-by-Step Wool Felting Tutorial

 

Method 1: Wet Felted Cord

Wet felted cords are ideal for jewellery, stems, bag handles, and decorative elements.

1. Separate a strip of wool tops / roving to get the desired finished thickness tightly twist the wool and it will show the thickness it will be when finished, then untwist. For a thicker, stronger cord, use a thicker strip or multiple strips in different colours if desired.
2. Wet the fibres with warm soapy water.
3. Gently roll the wool between your palms until it begins to hold together.
4. Increase the pressure and continue rolling until the cord is firm and evenly felted. For bag handles or cords that need extra strength, continue rolling well beyond the point where the cord feels finished. You can use a wooden or silicon tool once the wool is holding its shape
5. Rinse in clean water, squeeze out excess moisture, if is needs more felting you can alternate hot rinse then cold, and also throw the cord down hard in the sink, then and leave to dry.

Method 2: Wet Felted Dreadlocks

Wet felted dreadlocks are perfect for doll hair, fairy hair, animal manes, wall hangings, and wearable art.

1. Pull a long strip of wool roving, keeping it slightly uneven for a natural look. Blend two or more wool colours together if desired.
2. For thicker dreadlocks, create a loose core from batting or core wool and wrap a thin layer of coloured fibre around the outside.
3. Wet the wool with warm soapy water.
4. Roll and rub the fibre, focusing mainly on the centre section while leaving the ends loose if desired.
5. Continue rolling by hand or on a bamboo mat, twisting occasionally to add texture, until the wool shrinks and forms a firm dreadlock shape.
6. Rinse in clean water and allow to dry.

Images Debras felt studio and Back to Earth Creations

Supplies List

Wool

Fulling tools Silicon or Wooden

Wet felting basic kit

Dyes

Soap

Next Steps

A video on making cord from Debra's felt studio

A video on making dreadlock’s and dyeing them too from Back to Earth Creations

Another article that might me of interest on making wet felted feathers