Whether you’re looking to unwind with a new hobby or create unique, handcrafted gifts, needle felting offers a delightful entry into the realm of textile arts. And, as a bonus, it is a great way to let out some aggression on a piece of wool 😁
What is Needle Felting?
Unlike other forms of felting which often use water and agitation, needle felting involves repeatedly stabbing the wool with a special barbed needle, which tangles the fibers together into a solid form. The wool slowly compacts as you continue, firming up your form until you are ready to add more fiber.
This technique allows for incredible detail and variation, making it possible to create everything from small figures to larger, decorative items like these incredible examples:
Get Started in Needle Felting
Wool/Fiber: This is your primary material. Wool roving is best for beginners due to its coarse texture and ease of felting. Choose the colors you need for your project.
Felting Needles: These needles come in various sizes. Larger needles felt faster, while smaller needles are great for finishing touches and detail work. They are barbed on the sharp end, and can be inserted into a handle for easier use.
Felting Pad/Sponge: Provides a safe, sturdy surface for felting and protects your needles from breaking.
Optional Tools: Scissors, finger protectors, wire for structural support in figures, and a ruler for measuring.
Basic Steps:
Shape your wool into a loose form. Place it on your felting pad.
Use the needle to repeatedly stab the wool, gradually shaping it as the fibers interlock. Now is the time to let out your anger! 😉
Continue to refine the shape by adding or reducing wool and felting until firm and shaped to your liking.
Tutorials:
Starting a new craft can be challenging – check out some of these links for advice, guidance, and step-by-step help in starting a needle felting project of your own!
Needle Felt a Basic Body Shape – Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts
Needle Felted Mouse – Shayda Campbell
Needle Felted Picture – Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts
Painting with Wool – Needle Felted Art – Mama Smiles
Felted Polar Bear – Craft Bits
3D Needle Felted Crystals – Star Magnolias
Pansy Brooch – The Sewing Directory
Easy Heart Garland – My Poppet Makes
Needle Felting Tips – Tilly Tea Dance
Common Needle Felting Mistakes – Bear Creek Felting
Needle Felting Kits
Now that you have an introduction to the craft, you may be wondering what to do next…where should you buy your wool and needles, what kind of wool is best, how much will you need, the list goes on! It can be great to start out with a kit which comes with all the supplies you need, so you can begin practicing your needle felting skills.
Buying a kit is often more cost-effective than buying all the supplies individually. Corriedale Wool is a preferred fiber for needle felting because it is soft and fluffy, yet substantial – perfect for quick and easy needle felting. Our Premium Needle Felting Starter Kits include 20 colors of clean and carded 100% wool – 4 grams of each color, which is a very generous amount (most starter kits will not tell you that they only have 2 grams). Wool is packaged in a resealable zip top for easy storage.
Let’s face it – needles will break, especially while you are learning. That’s why we included a lot of them AND added wooden handles to make it even easier to learn.
Each box includes 40 needles in 3 sizes, 1 wooden handle for multi needle felting, 3 color coded wooden handles to hold single needle (one handle for each size of needle: S, M, and L), leather finger guards, 4″x6″ foam felting pad, awl, shears, and a durable storage case.
With a beginner kit, you can start your journey into needle felting with confidence, knowing you have everything you need to create your first masterpiece. So, why wait? Pick up a kit and start poking your way to beautiful, felted creations!