Felted Pet Hair Beads

After seeing felted beads in a craft store, I really wanted to make them, but I wasn't sure where to find wool roving. It was Spring at the time I was looking for the wool, and if you have a pet, you'd know that they shed a lot this time of year. So as I was constantly picking up clumps of cat hair from my carpet, I thought, why not try felting cat hair instead.

In this instructable I will show you how I made a felted bead bracelet from cat hair.

Step 1: Materials:

• Pet hair
• Dish soap and pet shampoo
• Plastic containers
• Paper towels

Optional: if you want to dye the beads

• Kool-Aid
• Microwave safe containers
• Spoon and sieve

Comments

[Carollew]

I am now looking at my shedding dogs and cats in a whole new positive light. I spun my dog's shaved fur last year and made a scarf. Never thought about the fact that when it gets wet, it smells like a wet dog. These beads look easy to make. I posted it on my blog http://www.carollew.com/blog/.

[ChrysN]

Thanks, for posting this on your blog! I love your portraits.

[RiverBlackwood]

I am just wondering how colourfast the Kool-Aid is? Say you are in the rain and it gets wet, will they bleed all over you?

[ChrysN]

No, the colour won't run when it gets wet, you can soak it in water and it won't bleed.

[olulpana]

To those who know anyone with a hairless cat it would be precious and hilarious to make it its very own cat fur coat from one of your kitties to theirs. Just an idea! Felt on!

[littleangels]

In wanting to learn how to spin yarn from my cats fur - I made a spinner...
The yarn came out looking like dreadlocks, and I now know what it feels like to have a hairball...!
Cat fur is warm, though!

[ChrysN]

That would be funny, I'm sure those hairless cats get cold and could use a warm coat.

[midsummermuse]

Ah man, my husband was so grossed out when I took a huge ball of hair from my MIL's bichon frise puppy after she was trimmed and felted a good size white ball pet for our cat KT. They loved playing together and it was his favorite toy until it got lost. Never thought of making beads out of hair though! Cool idea and good instruct-able. I just used liquid hand soap and felted it by hand in the bathroom with hot water from the sink and kept stabbing it with a needle. ^_^

[sunshiine]

Your cat is beautiful! Pets are so much fun. Thanks for sharing.

[ChrysN]

Thank you!

[Mauigerbil]

I will try this with gerbil fur. My gerbils shed a lot for some reason

[NaturalCrafter]

Thanks for sharing all those options. I was wondering when you put the hole in the middle of the bead. After dying but before they are dry?

[ChrysN]

I usually add the hole after it has dried.

[mooseinakilt]

Wonderful idea :) I have a cat that doesn't shed much, but I'm up to my ears in rex rabbit fur. I'd much prefer his fluff to be in necklace form rather than floating around and making its way up my nose.

[ChrysN]

That would make a really soft necklace.

[creative_cait]

Have to say, I am a huge fan of this project! I made a ton of these beads out of bith of my cats fur tonight. One orange cat and one calico. the calico beads came out a mix of dark gray and white. Afterwards I took some curved sissors (from my embrodery box) and trimmed off all the random excess fur. They look much more polished this way I found. I am really happy how well this turned out. Thanks!

[ChrysN]

Good idea to trim them, they do look a bit ragged with bits of fur sticking out. Thanks!

[olulpana]

I'm sorry last comment for the night. This is just too funny, a much needed stress relief idea after some really bad migraines. I am now hunting my cats down and mauling them for their shedding fur, like a Benny Hill show. They don't know what has hit them but then they are not complaining in the lest with all the pampering they think I am giving them. Made quite a few already. Thanks for great idea and good stress busting laugh.

[olulpana]

To have my very own fuzzy cat balls. Awesome! Sorry, but I am just cracking up. Love the idea!! Loved the download of of the PDF showing the other way to wash the fur!. I guess you just have to be a cat lover to understand the laughter in this. I am making my friend her very own fuzzy doggie ball bracelet. Then she can cherish her pups forever! Good job!

[lala1989]

what a great idea!i just go home and playing with my dog for those bueatiful hair balls~

[velvetkitten]

Such a GREAT tutorial and a fantastic idea!  Thank you so very much!  I linked to you through my blog.  ...alicia  freshasakitten.blogspot.com/2010/04/kitty-pom-pom-beaded-necklace.html  

[scoochmaroo]

This is the best. I LOVE how you've incorporated so many techniques in this one project. I wonder if I can dye my cat's dark grey hair. I've made several toys for her out of it. Now I can make gifts for everyone!

[puppycorpses333]

i tried doing this technique with some raw alpaca wool that i got on ebay super cheap, and it worked really well, thealpaca is also dark grey/brown and i was able to dye it after bleaching it first. :P 

[ChrysN]

You cat is really sweet, I'm sure the beads you make from her hair would be quite pretty.

[kiffakitty]

Yes! i'm glad im not the only crazy person who felts her pet's fur and dyes it with koolaid! omg when i saw this i laughed so much! i never tried to make a bracelet out of it though- the problem i usually encounter is that they start to get really frizzy or out of shape after a while- do you have any fabric protector/stiffener that you would recommend to make them last longer?

[ChrysN]

I don't use anything on mine, I haven't really had much of a problem with frizzing.  Maybe I don't wear mine as often.

[miacat9]

im going to go find a brush now xD
u could also gather up a bunch of fur then make a toy o:

[alysssalyn]

Your cat looks JUST like my kitty! That soft like a bunny fur... haha.. Where did you get that cat? Just wondering if they are related :P

[ChrysN]

I got my kitty from an SPCA in Vancouver.

[b1russell]

Thank you for a wonderful idea!  My sister's dog - German shepherd who sheds a LOT, year round - is past old, and getting ancient.  I think I'll make her a bracelet (and maybe a necklace, earrings, buttons, etc. . . .) and save it to present as a memorial after the dog is gone.

Thanks again!

[nicolemiko]

I love this. I want to make some with the dog hair that my parents' dog sheds. I have not found any local place for wool roving and I've been wanting to try felting. Such a great and creative tutorial.

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[bassclarinet23]

Nice project. You're cat does not seem to like being wet. :)

[ChrysN]

LOL. Ya he's pretty miserable when he's wet!

[bassclarinet23]

Aw. Same with my dog. I'm fairly convinced he is a cat in disguise.

[handprints]

you've done it again!  I absolutely love the stuff you come up with!!!

We have 5 cats - 2 black and white, 1 black, and one tortoisey.  I going to see how well the black and tan look overdyed!
 

you

[handprints]

sorry, I didn't finish.....You are my absolute fav!

[ChrysN]

Thanks!  You must have quite a supply of cat hair, with five.

[handprints]

 yup

[AmberRawr]

='[ I wish i knew about this before my dog died.. Cool idea though. =]