Chains Away!

Oversized necklaces have been ALL the rage! In my book anything bigger is better, so I was one of the first to fall head over heals in love with this trend. (sorry boyfriend, i've been cheating on you with Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, and Doo Ri) While I lust over gorgeous creations I can't afford, I schemed up a cute and economical way to get the "look". 

Felting is such an easy way to create things, and you virtually can NOT mess up, it turns out great every time! I'm going to detail out how to make your very own oversized felted chain necklace.

Materials Needed:

Wool (any color(s))

soap and water

tennis ball

bubble wrap

1. Dip the tennis ball in soap
2. Wrap fine layer of wool around the tennis ball. Wet this with soapy water to hold in place.
3. Lay on tiny wisps of wool horizontally in the opposite direction of the wrapped wool. Wet this with soapy water.
4. Repeat step 2, wrapping the wool on top of the 2 layers already created. Try to keep the width uniform all the way around the ball to get the chain look. If you want a more organic shape, have some areas wider than others on the ball.
5. Repeat step 3
6. Repeat step 2
7. Now comes to the felting part. Take the tennis ball and start rolling it back and forth on the bubble wrap. Alternate this with massaging wool with hands. 
8. As the link felts, it will become smaller and tighter.
9. When the link is fully felted and you have achieved the desired look, slip the wool ring off the tennis ball.
10. Gently pull and stretch the felted ring to make an oval shape.
11. Re-dip the tennis ball in soap. Take the ring you have just created, and hold against the tennis ball.
12. Now, Repeat steps 2-10 working around the first felted ring, and making sure that you do not "felt" the 2 together.
13. Continue this process until you have the desired length of chain felted.
14. Once the felting process of the chain is complete, rinse the chain off in water and set to dry.
15. Now, you and your haute craftoured self can go walk the catwalk with your designer felted chain necklace!