Craft Felted Horse Chestnuts

Today on the blog our sweet friend Laura, @cosy.waldorf.fam, teaches us a simple wet felting craft that celebrates the beauty of the horse chestnut tree and it's unusual spiky seeds called conkers. Rooted in Waldorf philosophy, this craft invites you to engage with natural materials and nurture your creativity. Using just wool, water, soap, and your hands, you’ll transform soft fibers into beautiful art pieces to add some fall festivity to a nature table or to add to loose parts play.

Gather Your Supplies:

These are the tools we used to create our Felted Horse Chestnuts:

• Conkers (you can also use a small stone or acorn without it's cap if you don't have access to chestnuts)
• White and green wool roving
• Olive oil based soap
• Warm water

Create your Felted Horse Chestnuts:

Step 1:  

First make sure your water is really warm and add a few drops of olive based soap. Then wrap a layer of white wool around your conker.

Step 2: 

Make your hands soapy, dip the conker wrapped in wool in the water and roll for in your hands for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: 

Then add a layer of green sheep’s wool and repeat the process.

Step 5: 

This time roll for about 10 minutes. Add pressure at the end to make sure it’s properly felted.

Step 6: 

Let dry for 1-2 days then cut it carefully open and add some spikes by pulling some of the wool loose with tweezers or scissors.

Step 7: 

This is great as an open ended toy or for a decoration for the seasonal table.

Don't forget to follow Laura (@cosy.waldorf.fam)for even more Waldorf inspiration and crafts. We hope your fall is filled with engaging fun and heaps of family laughter and love, and a few crafternoons spent together. Share your play, crafts, reading, learning or anything magical with us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use our hashtag #bellalunatoys for a chance to be featured on our feed or stories. Happy crafting!