Felting
Needle Felting For Beginners
Read everything you need to know to get started in needle felting. Including what to look for in a kit, which supplies you need to get going and the best tips.
What is Needle Felting?
Needle felting is a creative wool fibre craft that allows you to transform fluffy wool fibres into adorable sculptures. It’s like sculpting with a special barbed needle that tangles the fibres together. To begin, you take a small tuft of wool and poke it repeatedly with the needle.
The barbs on the needle grab the wool, causing it to interlock and form shapes. It’s a therapeutic and satisfying process. You can create all sorts of cute creatures, flowers, or even landscapes. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a wonderful way to unleash your imagination!
Is Needle Felting Easy?
Needle Felting is known for being incredibly easy to learn. I have personally seen so many people with no experience, producing some amazingly detailed woollen needle felted characters in only a matter of months.
If you want to get a bit more help you can also start with:
- Felting Starter Kits – These kits are the perfect option when your looking for needle felting for beginners.
- Book of Needle Felting – Another beginner favourite
How Do I Choose The Right Felting Wool?
When choosing felting wool, it’s essential to consider the type of project you’re working on. For finer details, opt for Merino wool, known for its softness and smooth texture. For more robust or three-dimensional work, Corriedale wool’s slightly coarser fibres hold shape better. Think about the colours you need too—wool blends offer beautiful natural hues, but dyed wool gives you a broader palette to match your creative vision.
Texture is another key factor. If you’re new to felting, start with medium-coarse wool as it’s easier to work with. More experienced felters might enjoy experimenting with blends or different fiber lengths to achieve various effects.
Is Needle Felting Expensive?
Needle Felting is one of the least expensive and easiest to learn handicrafts you can start. To start needle felting, you’ll only need a few basic supplies.
First, gather some felting needles in different sizes; they have barbs on them to shape the wool. Next, acquire a foam pad or a felting mat to protect your work surface. Then, choose some colourful wool roving or batting to bring your creations to life.
You might also find it helpful to have some scissors, wire, or armature materials for structure and embellishments like beads or embroidery floss. Lastly, don’t forget a pair of finger protectors to keep your fingers safe from accidental pokes. With these supplies, you’ll be ready to dive into the delightful world of needle felting!
How do you get a smooth surface when needle felting?
One of the most asked question for beginners of needle felting as they are learning is how to get that smooth surface? Achieving a smooth surface in needle felting takes practice, but it’s totally doable! First, begin by gently shaping your wool into a basic shape, like a ball or cylinder. Then, use the felting needle with light, even jabs to secure the fibres together. Gradually, work your way around the shape, paying attention to any lumpy areas and focusing on them.
If you want a smooth finish, lightly roll the piece between your palms to felt the surface further. Remember, patience is key! Taking your time and felting in layers will help you achieve that beautifully smooth surface you desire.
Read more Needle Felting Tips here
What is the easiest thing to needle felt?
When starting out, the easiest thing to help you learn the craft of needle felting is a simple ball or sphere. It’s a beginner-friendly project that allows you to practice basic shaping and felting techniques. Begin by rolling a small amount of wool into a tight ball, then use your felting needle to poke and shape it. The round shape is forgiving, and you can experiment with different colours or add embellishments as you gain confidence. It’s a great way to build your skills and create something cute and satisfying in the process.
Next, I would suggest trying Ashford’s flowers kit. They are incredibly easy to try and if you’ve already created your balls, these flowers are the perfect next step.
After you have mastered these two options, you can start to try some of the easy to follow kits that are available. Some of these include:
Should I buy a Kit to learn Needle Felting?
If your a beginner at needle felting, you can’t go past Ashfords Needle Felting Starter Kit. It was designed for learners of needle felting and is fast becoming one of the most popular kits in Australia. And most importantly, it has everything to start you’re first or next project. The Starter Felting Kit includes the following supplies:
- 4 different types of felting needles. Different needles allow you to achieve different textures with your wool.
- 15 colours of fibre. You can also layer colours to create new shades or different effects.
- Foam block. Something to work on
- Washaway fabric. Washaway fabric is used as a temporary support or base to create three-dimensional structures.
- Ashford Book of Needle Felting by Barbara Allen. This amazing book is overflowing with tips, ideas, advice, and new projects to start working on
Is needle felting easy to learn?
Yes! Needle Felting is very easy to learn. Needle felting, also called dry felting (different to its close cousin wet felting) is a wonderful & easy to learn craft that lets you create loveable 3D figures using wool and specially designed needles. If you’re interested in giving it a try, perfect! Needle felting is brilliant for beginners. It’s super easy to learn.
One of the best ways to start is with a needle felting kit. These all-inclusive kits come with all the essentials, like felting needles, colourful wool, and a foam pad. They’re perfect for getting the hang of different techniques and building your confidence. Then you can branch out to your very own designs.
One of the benefits of learning needle felting is its therapeutic nature. It’s the perfect mindfulness craft. The repetitive motion of poking the wool gives is perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Plus, the feeling of satisfaction when you complete your first project is unbeatable!
Moreover, needle felting is a very versatile handicraft. You can make adorable animals, decorative flowers, or even personalised gifts for your loved ones. There’s no limit to what you can create!