Needle felting, everything you need to know to start felting | The Ultimate Felting Guide Complete with Tips

What is needle felting and its applications.

In a very brief and simple definition of what needle felting is, we can say:

"Needle felting is a textile art that, as the name implies, involves the use of needles. These are special "L" shaped needles with barbs at the tip. The "pricking" motion on the wool (when you stick the needle into the piece) interlaces and compacts the fibers, thus allowing the creation of the most diverse felted objects."

This is a very simple and fun art to do. 

With it we can create from toys, decorative objects, miniature animals, paintings, and many other accessories.

The best part about needle felting is that it has no limits. We can do whatever we want, just let our creativity flow freely!

Today, this type of craft is starting to become a popular form of therapy as stress relief and can be done with little effort anywhere.

What materials do I need to start felting without a big investment?

All the materials you will need to start needle felting are: Combed or Carded Wool, Felting Needles, and a Sponge Base. 

Tip: With just these 3 simple ingredients, you will be able to create the most fantastic felted pieces full of charm and magic!

What is the difference between worsted and carded wool?

• Combed Wool - presents in a wick/trand - fibers are all oriented in the same direction (longer hair)
• Carded wool - is presented as a blanket - the fibers are overlapped and mixed in different directions (shorter hair)

Both types of wool can be used in this technique.

However, from my professional point of view as a felt maker, this is a matter of preference. For example, some people only use carded wool for felting. As for me, 99% of the pieces presented in posts, videos and social networks, are carded wool!

Tip: the ideal is to choose the wool according to the type of work to be done. For example, to make fairies the most suitable wool is worsted wool, while to make sculptures we can choose both types.

Hmmm... and "felting wool", what is it?

The term "Felting Wool" is commonly used to designate the wool that is used to make handmade felt, as a way to distinguish it from the spun wool arranged in balled yarns that is used in normal knitting.

What is the best wool for needle felting?

The best needle felting wool is undoubtedly Magic Wool®. This is 100% organic and comes 100% from merino sheep.

The most suitable merino wool to work with is European Merino Wool - it is a standard wool and is easier to felt. It is suitable for most hand felting jobs.

Note: Australian Merino Wool is a premium wool, super fine. It should be used almost exclusively for wet felting and nuno felting. It is not suitable for needle felting.

Are Felting Needles the same as regular needles?

No. Felting needles are special needles that have small barbs on the tip.

What are the barbs or notches on the Felting Needles used for?

The barbs or notches serve to "grab" the wool fibers and interweave them into each other to create a single, compact piece.

• Thicker needles - with larger barbs or notches - are suitable for beginning and development work.
• Thinner needles - have smaller barbs or notches and are recommended for details and finishing the work.

Tip: the needles must be used from the thickest to the thinnest.

Can I start this needle technique without a Felting base?

No, at least it is not recommended that you do so! The sponge serves as a working base and allows the wool to be safely pieced without the danger of getting stuck.

What is the most commonly used felting base?

There are a few different types of materials you can use as a base, but the most common for felting is the firm sponge base.

The one I use is this gray colored high density sponge base.

Tip: When you felt the wool, it will "stick" to the sponge. It is important that you lift it up, turn it over, and poke it somewhere else. By doing this, you give your sponge a longer "life span".

How to Felt in 3 simple steps?

Step 1: Use the Wool

• Take a piece of the wool fleece
• roll the fibers into a small ball tightly
• Place on the sponge

Step 2: Prick the wool

• hold so it doesn't slip away
• Prick with coarse or medium needle
• Turn the ball and pin again
   

Step 3: Increase and Finish

• add another thin layer of wool
• repeat the process until desired size
• with the fine needle, prick all over the surface to finish

Tip: to prevent the needle from breaking or becoming bent, it should always go in and out at the same angle and the pressure should be moderate. If it is difficult to prick, it means that you have to change to a finer needle.

Note: if you want to go into more detail on these steps, please refer to the following article "How to do needle felting for beginners?"

What tools can help me felting more comfortably and faster?

• For more comfortable felting - there is the individual wooden handle to fit each needle
• For faster felting - there is the wooden handle for 4 needles or the felting pen for 3 needles.

Needle felting is very easy, but sometimes when you are first starting out it can seem strange and confusing. If you have any questions write your question in the comments.

I will teach you needle felting in a simple and easy way, without skipping steps! Here you will find tips, tutorials, video lessons with basic kits and all the materials to use for felting. Here you have everything you need to fall in love with the art of felting!