Moss Covered Felted Stones

“A rolling stone gathers no moss.” Quite true. Also true… stones in the Michigan forests don’t do much rolling 🙂  They also get enough shade and dampness to cover most of the stones with moss. For a long time I’ve been wanting to make some Felted Stones for my house and the gnome’s home. When I finally set to doing it this morning, I made a couple, and they just didn’t look right. “Ah”, I thought. “They need moss!” So the next couple I made I added moss and, “Yep, those look the rocks we find around here!”

To make your own pile of of Felted Stones, collect stones, pull out your roving, and get started. Below are directions for felting stones… with moss, thank you very much!

Materials:
rocks, assorted sizes
roving in natural colors… off white, greys, browns, and moss green.
cheese cloth
dish soap

Thoroughly wash your rock to remove dirt and moss.

Wrap your rock in roving. It is better to wrap in multiple thinner layers than I heavy layer. Also, change directions so fibers criss cross. Add character to rock by placing thin pieces of contrasting roving over the rock. If you are adding moss, add thin pieces at the end.


Carefully wrap the rock in cheese cloth going around and over the ends. Wrap firmly, not tight.

Submerge the rock in hot, soapy water. Squeeze and rub the roving covered rock between your hands,  dipping it back in the water frequently.


As soon as you feel the roving beginning to firm up, remove the cheese cloth and finish felting. You can tell it is done when the roving feels firm and smooth.


Run under cool water until all the soap is gone . The change in temperature will help set the recently felted wool. Use a dry towel to soak up the extra water on the stone.

Allow to dry, then use in any way you wish! Perhaps a paperweight? A basket of stones? A tower? Surround your gnome home with a little atmosphere? Who knows? 🙂