Rinsing and slicing

Rinse your ball in hot water until the wool squeaks. Squeeze out the excess water. If you have access to a washing machine, put the ball through the spin cycle to get out the excess water. Lay the ball on a cutting board and slice in half with your sharpest fillet knife (avoid using a serrated knife unless you want a jagged edge for your pincushion. Saw gently back and forth; avoid the temptation to rotate the ball as you cut, as this will create an uneven edge.