1skein of 100% wool yarnI used Fishermen’s Wool yarn or unravel an old 100% wool sweater you’re not wearing
old pantyhose or knee highs stockings
scissors
knitting needle or heavy duty sewing needle
optional: essential oils if you'd like a scent
Instructions
Start by wrapping the wool yarn around two fingers about 10 times
Then pull the yarn off your fingers and wrap across the middle of that about 10 more times.
Continue wrapping yarn around 7-10 times each time you change directions as you move around forming a ball.
Continue wrapping yarn around the ball in different directions (at least 7-10 times before moving to a new location) until the ball of yarn is about tennis ball sized.
Cut the yarn with about a six inch tail. Tuck the end under several of the layers of yarn.
Then push it as far inside the ball as you can. (You can use a blunt-tipped needle for this if you have one handy)
Repeat the above steps to make additional dryer balls.
Once you have all the dryer balls made, place them one at a time into one of the legs of the stockings. Tie off in between each ball so they are separated like one big yarn ball caterpillar.
Felting the wool dryer balls
Toss the caterpillar string of wool balls into the washing machine with your next towel load and wash on HOT water and a cold water rinse cycle.
Dry the caterpillar on HOT as well.
You may need to repeat the washing and drying cycles several time before they are properly "felted" (up to 3 or 4 times)
For regular loads, use at least 4-6 balls to notice a decrease in drying time. For large loads, use 6 or more wool balls. The more you use, the more quickly your clothes will dry.
You can add 1-2 drops of essential oils to each ball if you'd like. I would use a clear oil so there is no chance of stains.