Playing with Wool and Alpaca

I'm on a sort of a mission to finish up WIPs (works in progress) that have been hanging around for ... well, far too long.

Introducing the Wool Pom Pom rug. This uses a TON of pom poms and eats wool like crazy. That's okay, I have way too much wool yarn, most of it in quantities too small to make anything of substance. So, I use it to make pom poms!

I found the backing at a thrift store, years ago. Last week, I started tying the woolly/alpaca balls to the backing. I'm not sure I have enough pom poms yet to fill it, but it gives me a break from the eternal yarn winding! And it is Heavy! After tying for a short time, my arms are tired, even with it laying in my lap.

Some are bigger than others, but I like the uneven texture. I'd like to finish this by fall. It will go next to my side of the bed, perfect for my feet on cold winter mornings.

I am concerned about all the possible mess. I mean, this is just short lengths of yarn, tied together as tight as I can do it without breaking the yarn, but still - what if it all falls apart?  I'm hoping for some 'wool matting' to happen as I step/walk on it.

The back is quite messy. I had to untie the first few balls I tied on, so I started tying a bow, rather than a knot. Then it just became a habit.  I'm thinking I'll need some kind of backing to cover this up.

What do you think?

More sewing adventures later!
Karen