Image shows a needle felted gnome in bright orange and turqoise. The body is a needle felted pumpkin

Easy DIY Autumn Crafts To Make Your Home Feel Handmade

FILL YOUR HOME WITH HANDMADE NEEDLE FELTED DECORATIONS

As soon as Autumn arrives I am already full-blown, pumpkin spice latte sweater dresses and jumper mode. It is my absolute favourite time of year as we start to hibernate and get really creative, filling our homes with cosy homemade fall and autumn décor! Without doubt, nothing says it better than pumpkins filling the rooms of your home, especially the ones you have made yourself, and there is no better time than now to grab a cuppa, and start creating with me.

MAKE A NEEDLE FELTED GNUMPKIN WITH ME

Make time: 90 minutes (20 minutes for the pumpkin)

It is full on pumpkin season, or should I say Gnumpkin season. Basically, it is a pumpkin, gnome hybrid but, and I am sure you will agree, they are a match made in heaven. It is my absolute favourite needle felting project at the moment, and I love it more because it can stay up as part of your DIY Christmas décor. This one has a full on Autumnal flavour but I am already making one in cool winter colours.

NO CRAFT OR DRAWING SKILLS NEEDED

This super easy needle felting tutorial will have you creating your own needle felted Gnumpkin in no time at all! Making needle felting easy is what it is all about, and you don’t need any craft or drawing skills. This step by step needle felting tutorial will help build your creative confidence, whilst teaching you all the needle felting basics, and no sewing, I promise! My easy techniques tips and hacks will have you felting in no time!

DO YOU NEED THE WOOL OR FELTING KIT?

Image shows a needle felted gnome. Text reads: New to needle felting? Click to order the kit.

If you have just started needle felting, kits are an especially great way to get started so you can get a real feel for a new craft. In addition to this, you are only spending a small amount to get going. The website is full of inspiring kits and inspiration for every ability.

Find it HERE on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website.

THE NEEDLE FELTED GNOME

The pumpkins alone are really fabulous but let’s take it up a notch and turn it into this super stylish, Gnumpkin. In addition, the full video tutorial is at the bottom of the page – my easy step, by step, felt along with me guide. I had so much fun designing and making these, and I know you are going to love it just as much!

A bright orange needle felted pumpkin sat in the palm of a hand to show a size comparison.

NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKIN

This forms the body of the gnome and is one of the easiest ever needle felting projects; you can make one of these in just 20 minutes, even complete beginners. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the video tutorial.

MAKE THE PUMPKIN BODY FIRST

Image shows what you need to start this needle felting project

LET’S GET STARTED – YOU WILL NEED:

Carded needle felting wool and wool tops – Felting needle – Felting mat – Wooden BBQ skewer or similar; this makes creating shapes so much easier.

Shows how to start needle felting your pumpkin

1 Lay a handful of core wool on your felting mat and create a rough bread roll shape with your hands. With your free hand start to felt with your needle.

2 Continue the process until your wool retains its size and shape.  TIP: It needs to be secure but very soft.

TIME TO ADD THE CARDED WOOL BATTING

3 Sit your shape on top of your piece of wool batting and start to wrap the batting sheet around it, pulling towards the centre of, what will be, the bottom of your pumpkin.

4 Felt the batting into the centre of the wool until it holds. Continue the process until all the core wool is covered and pull away any excess. Tip: White patches are fine as they add contrast

5 Pumpkin ready for shaping, smooth side up.

6 Using your felting needle ‘draw’ a clearly defined line around the entire pumpkin, starting from middle centre and finishing where your line started.

7 Repeat until your pumpkin is divided into eight sections.

8 Take a long, thin piece of contrasting wool top and felt securely into the lines you have just created. Again, work from centre top and finish where you started, leaving any loose strands. TIP: Any loose strands can be trimmed for neatness, but also look good as decoration. Your pumpkin is ready. Time to make a Gnumpkin.

MAKING THE PERFECT GNOME HAT

I tried a few techniques before deciding which one would give me the best result in the most simple way. I found using the trustee wooden skewer allowed me to create the perfect cone shape that didn’t flop around. The needle felted acorn is the perfect finishing touch and only takes minutes to make.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIALS BELOW

GNUMPKIN VIDEO TUTORIAL

PUMPKIN VIDEO TUTORIAL

ACORN VIDEO TUTORIAL

Last but not least, learn how to add a super seasonal acorn to your Gnumpkin hat; the cherry on the cake so to speak.

Save to your Pinterest board for a daily dose of Pinspiration.

WANT MORE GNOME TUTORIALS?

Want more gnome tutorials, and seasonal inspiration? Just click below to discover all of the amazing Christmas DIY projects you can create with just a felting needle and a handful of wool.

Image shows a needle felted gnome and hare as part of an invitation to join The Felt Club

Join the VIP Felt Club and never miss out on the creativity!

Image shows a cartoon female with a strong arm and an needle felting project being completed. Text reads: learn to needle felt with confidence

DO YOU LOVE A CREATIVE COMMUNITY? JOIN THE FELT HUB ON FACEBOOK

Join me on Facebook. It’s completely free and you will have access to live workshops, free patterns, downloads, and so many more resources, all in one place. A group created inspire, nurture, and develop your needle felting confidence (whatever level you are at), in a more private space.

Image shows different styles of needle felted Christmas decorations and snowmen in lovely Christmas colours.

How To Make A Needle Felted Snowman In Just One Hour!

It’s that time of year again, and Christmas at Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts wouldn’t be complete without a needle felted snowman. This is my simple, but stylish take on frosty, complete with hat, scarf and carrot nose. Subscribe at the bottom of the page to receive notification of new tutorials.

Happy Christmas felting!

Easy Budget Friendly DIY Snowman

Time to complete: Approx 1 hour and the easiest DIY snowman you can make!

You will need: Core wool or toy stuffing but wool is much easier to felt with. WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANY CORE WOOL? No problem as this can also be done with white wool top/roving by following my basic ball shape tutorial (4th picture down) and increasing the size accordingly. TAKE ME TO TUTORIAL

Felting needles – Sizes 36 or 38 are good all rounders.

White batting sheet – if using core wool – for wrapping around the body shapes.

Orange wool for carrot nose.

Black wool for eyes and mouth.

Your choice of wool colours for hat and scarf.

Felting Mat to work on

Image shows three needle felted snowmen displayed as on top of a table as part of a Christmas decoration display.

TERMINOLOGY – You will come across the following terms throughout the tutorial.

Felting/to felt: Means to stab/poke your wool with a barbed felting needles to produce a fibre that will not pull apart.

Carded batts: Come in springy, flat sheets instead of long lengths like wool tops/roving.

Core Wool: Used for the centre of your piece as stuffing that can be shaped; it saves using your best wool.

NEEDLE FELTING NEWBIE? You are going to love this tutorial.

Why not have a quick read of my beginners guide to needle felting do’s and don’ts before you start. CLICK HERE

NEEDLE FELTING KIT – Is available on the website in the CHRISTMAS SHOP

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Scroll to the bottom of the page and watch the video tutorial

TOP TIP: Always read the top tips!

Lets get started and remember, the needle are very sharp so keep your fingers out of the way. Always keep your needle straight; bend it and it will break.

How To Make The Snowman Body

Image shows how to make a needle felted snowman.

1- Start with three pieces of core wool and make sure they are different weights/sizes. I started with 5g (handful), 3g and 2g.

2 – Roll each one into a chunky doughnut shape with your fingers. Hold with one hand and poke (felt) with your needle to secure. Don’t over felt or worry about lumps and bumps as the whole thing will be covered. TOP TIP: It only needs to hold it’s shape and should only take a couple of minutes to felt and shape each one.

3 – Make sure they are all different sizes, from large to small.

4 – Start with your large piece and lay it on top of a piece of wool batting.

5 – Pull the wool batting around your shape and felt only to the centre. This will keep the rest of the shape nice and smooth with no needle marks.

6 – Gently pull away any excess wool TOP TIP: Any bald patches can be covered up with a little more wool batting.

7 – Repeat for the next two pieces

8 – Your snowman should increase in size from the top down.

Attaching Your Pieces Together

9 – Place the bottom two pieces on top of each other (smooth side down) and attach together by pushing your felting needle through the centre of the top piece and into the bottom piece; this will tangle the fibres of the two sections together. Keep moving your felting needle around the centre and continue until both pieces are securely attached to each other. TOP TIP: Pick it up and give it a gently shake and, if they stay together, this is firm enough.

10 – Repeat step 9 and attach the head.

How to attach the parts of your needle felted snowman together.

How To Make The Mouth

This is a little fiddly but worth spending time on. If it doesn’t look right the first time, remove and start again. TOP TIP: Only push the needle, gently into the very top layer. This will avoid distorting the shape of the head.

10 – Take a very, very thin piece of black wool (longer than you will need) and use your felting needle to gently tack into place, where you want his mouth to start TOP TIP: Leave a little bit of overhang which you can trim when you have finished. Create a curve and tack gently as you go. Once you are happy with the shape, trim any excess.

CARROT NOSE

11 – Take a tiny piece of orange wool and roll into a seed shape; press and roll firmly in the palm of your hand with your forefinger.

12 – Poke one end gently into the face until secure; the nose will straighten as you do this.

13 – Give the end of the nose a little twist with your thumb and fore finger to shape and trim any stray fibres.

Adding eyes to your needle felted snowman.

Adding The Eyes

14 – Roll a teeny, tiny amount of black wool into a loose ball and felt onto the face, using your needle to bring in the edges and create a circle.

TIME TO MAKE THE SCARF

15 – Lay a long narrow length of your preferred colour along your mat or foam pad. TOP TIP: Check the length around the neck of your snowman before starting to felt.

16 – Fold over the ends for neatness and felt until just secure.

17 – Continue to felt the whole scarf on both sides. Keep turning and felting until nice and firm. TOP TIP: Felt with two needles at the same time to speed up the process

18 – Punch tools have 7 needles and save so much time if you are making lots of scarfs or flat felted items. However, it is not suited to foam pads as it has a tendency to bounce.

MAKE THE EASY HAT

There are lots of techniques to making a hat but, at a recent workshop, we tried three and voted unanimously for this one.

19 – Lay a thin (the thickness will double as you felt) piece of wool on your mat and ‘draw’ a rough circle with your felting needle: Approx. double the size of the snowman’s head.

20 – Use your fingers and needle to bring the rough edges to the outline of your circle.

21 – Continue until your circle is formed TOP TIP: Pull off any excess to avoid it becoming too thick. Keep felting, turning and neatening the edges until you have a firm circular shape.

22 – Felt on a little bobble of your colour choice. TOP TIP: Only felt around the edges of the bobble so as not to flatten it.

TIME TO SECURE IT TO THE HEAD

23 – Place the circle on top of the snowman’s head and felt around the edges to secure; you can neaten and shape later.

24 – Create a brim with a thin strand of wool. It needs to be longer than the diameter of the hat so you can overlap it at the back of the hat.

25 – Roll the length of wool firmly between the palm of your hands to quickly matt the fibres together; no need to use your needle.

26 – Place at the front of your hat and felt to secure

27 – Continue to felt until both end meet at the back. If it is too long then overlap and felt until secure.

28 – If your hat needs shaping or tidying then push downwards towards the base of the hat; this will create a nice shape TOP TIP: To keep a nice shape keep the hat loose and don’t flatten onto the head.

29 – Create some tassels (optional); lay a few thin strands of wool on your mat.

30 – Lay the end of your scarf on the tassels TOP TIP: Lay your scarf front facing up so the contrasting colour remains underneath.

31 – Wrap your scarf around your snowman’s neck and secure with your felting needle, where the scarf crosses over.

FINISHING TOUCHES

You can leave your snowman as he is or embellish to your hearts content. I have added some little stick arms and some smart black buttons.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL BELOW

The variations are endless and I have created a Christmas scene with this one. Hat and scarf are made from an ethical Merino and silk blend, but you can use any wool you have in your felt box.

Do You Want To Try More Christmas Crafts?

There’s a needle felting project to suit any seasonal taste and ability. This great POST is full of seasonal projects to add stylish, cute, or quirky handmade decorations to your seasonal home, or to give as one of a kind gifts that will be treasured forever.

Image shows ways to display your needle felted snowman. There is also a needle felted Cgristmas tree, and penguin throwing snowballs.

Est. 2013
© 2013 Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts

Make Easy Needle Felted Pumpkins – In Just 20 Minutes

EASY NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKINS

This is one of the easiest needle felting projects you can make. These gorgeous needle felted pumpkins are utterly addictive and make for some really show stopping Autumn/Fall décor! Imagine having these plump beauties dotted around the house, made into garlands, or given as gifts to only your best friends.

HAVE A PUMPKIN CRAFT PARTY

They are so much fun and so easy, why not have a craft party and needle felt the afternoon away. Imagine how many of these you could make in just a couple of hours, and more fun than you can shake a witches broomstick at.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

You will find my step by step video tutorials at the bottom of this page
Make time: 20 minutes

You will need:

  • Core wool – small handful
  • Carded orange, and yellow wool batting – 5g
  • Wool tops – 5g
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat

LET’S GET STARTED!

Image shows the start of needle felting a pumpkin. Make Easy Needle Felted Pumpkins - In Just 20 Easy Minutes

1 Roll a small handful of core wool into a very rough ball and felt to hold in place. This will only take a minute as you need to keep it soft; this is what helps create the pumpkin shape.

2 Wrap a thin piece of carded batting around the core wool and felt at the base.

TOP TIP: Don’t cover up any patches as this will enhance the finished look once you add a second layer

3 Continue to felt the wool batting towards the centre and pull away any excess. Sit it ‘bottom’ down on your mat and check the shape.

4 Working from the top to the bottom, repeat the previous step with a different colour, making sure it is pulled thin enough for the base layer to show through.

CREATING SEGMENTS

5 Lay a very thin piece of wool top across the centre of your pumpkin and felt to secure. Wrap it quite tightly around your pumpkin and felt the two ends together at the base.

TOP TIP: The base won’t be visible so you can felt really firmly. Pulling it tightly around the pumpkin creates the ‘segments’.

Image shows how to create segments for your needle felted pumpkin.

6 Continue as in the previous step until you have eight distinct segments. Because the core was left really soft you now have a very obvious pumpkin shape.

7 Work gently around your pumpkin with your felting needle and tidy up any loose, untidy, or lumpy sections. It needs to look good from all sides, but don’t worry too much about the base as it won’t be seen.

8 Create a stem for your pumpkin

9 Felt the loose wool (at the narrow base) into the centre of your pumpkin. feel free to add any embellishments. I have added a lovely crochet leaf which really finishes it off. You could also add curly locks and different fibres, or acorns.

I hope you really loved this tutorial. For more pumpkin tutorials click HERE If you want to felt alongside me, workshop style, just click on the video links below.

VIDEO TUTORIALS – PUMPKIN AND ACORNS

How To Make DIY Needle Felted Pumpkins – Easy Autumn Crafts

Yes, it’s back – the pumpkin edit is here! Autumn and Fall is the time when we really start to get stuck into or craft activities again, and there’s no better place to start than my super easy tutorials, ‘How To Make DIY Needle Felted Pumpkins – Easy Autumn Crafts’.

Image shows a basket of handmade needle felted pumpkins
From wool to needle felted pumpkin in just 30 minutes

Needle felted pumpkins are completely addictive and one of the easiest needle felting projects there is. Each year you will find something new has been added to my pile of pumpkin craft projects and there is a pumpkin style to suit every taste and style.

This is my round up of all the most popular pumpkin tutorials and needle felting kits I have created over the last few years.

NEW! NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKIN TUTORIAL AND KIT – HOW TO MAKE DIY NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKINS – EASY AUTUMN CRAFTS

MAKE TIME: 20 minutes per pumpkin

Image shows photos of handmade DIY pumpkins
Autumn DIY décor that looks better than shop bought, and at a fraction of the price!

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Core wool – small handful
  • Carded orange wool – 5g
  • Wool tops – 5g
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat

Watch the tutorial below, or order the needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

This is a super easy needle felting kit with a full, step by step, hold your hand video tutorial so you can felt along with me workshop style. These gorgeous needle felted pumpkins are utterly addictive and make for some really show stopping Autumn/Fall décor! If you order the kit you have the option to add the gorgeous crochet leaves that I bagged from another fabulous handmade maker.

Wool looks great blended for different colours and effects.
Video tutorial is suitable for complete beginners to needle felting.
Ideal as décor, gifts, garlands or for seasonal markets.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

WINTER WONDERLAND PUMPKINS

MAKE TIME: 30 minutes per pumpkin

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Core wool – large handful
  • Carded wool – White, aqua and grey
  • Wool tops – 5g
  • Silk fibres
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat

Watch the tutorial below, or order a Winter Wonderland needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

Pumpkins are most definitely not just for Christmas and, with my Winter Wonderland pumpkins you can keep them up right through to the new year.

They are cool, wintry, glamourous, and look like they came straight out of a Disney movie. They are also one of my most popular Autumn craft kits, and why wouldn’t they be?

WATCH VIDEO TUTORIAL

FIRE AND ICE NEEDLE FELTED PUMPKIN – MORE GLAMOUROUS THAN AN EPISODE OF DYNASTY

Make a seasonal statement this year and create a bold and glamorous, full size ‘Fire And Ice’ pumpkin.

MAKE TIME: 1 hour

Image shows a glamourous needle felted pumpkin with shiny red beads
Your autumn and fall handmade décor just got super stylish.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Core wool – enough for full size pumpkin, approximately 30g
  • Carded red wool – 15g
  • Wool tops – 5g
  • Silk fibres and silk throwsters waste
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat

Watch the tutorial below, or order the needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

Totally unique, your autumn and fall handmade décor just got super stylish. Watch the needle felting tutorial below and can create your own ‘Fire And Ice’ full size pumpkin in just 30 easy minutes.

This one wouldn’t look out of place in a Homes And Gardens feature and, as always, I have carefully selected the wool and fibres and, for a touch of seasonal glamour, it is topped with fiery strung beads.

WATCH VIDEO TUTORIAL

EASY DIY AUTUMN WREATH

In just two hours you will have your own beautiful DIY wreath. You can adapt and change the colours, or go for pastels which look gorgeous. Whatever colours you decide on, you will have a beautiful seasonal arrangement that is unique and looks like you have just bought it from a boutique craft shop. You could even create a beautiful autumn/fall garland with pumpkins and acorns, to finish the look.

MAKE TIME: 2 hours

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Core wool – 30g
  • Carded wool in seasonal colours – 5g of each
  • Wool tops – 5g of each
  • Vine wreath
  • Acorn caps
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat
  • Wooden BBQ skewer
  • Hessian ribbon

Watch the tutorial below, or order the needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

Create stylish autumn/fall décor with this beautiful DIY needle felting kit, which is incredibly easy to make and an ideal needle felting project for any ability. Full written instructions plus a video tutorial will make this project a breeze, even for the most nervous of beginners.

It’s perfect for you if you’re looking for an exciting new creative outlet to bring some color into your life! With easy instructions, step-by-step video tutorial, and plenty of supplies, anyone can create their own beautiful Autumn wreath in just a couple of hours. Why not add an acorn garland for that extra touch of handmade seasonal creativity and, with my easy needle felting techniques, each acorn only takes a few minutes to make.

WATCH VIDEO TUTORIAL

TOTALLY TRADITIONAL DIY PUMPKINS

MAKE TIME: 30 minutes

Image shows traditional DIY needle felted pumpkins

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Core wool – 10g for medium pumpkin
  • Carded orange wool – 10g
  • Wool tops – 5g
  • Felting needle – 38 star is a good all rounder
  • Felting mat

If totally traditional pumpkins are your thing then these are ideal. It is one of my first pumpkin tutorials and is as popular as ever. As with all of my DIY pumpkins, it is a super easy, super fast, and fun project.

Watch the tutorial below, or order a Winter Wonderland needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

Once you have made one you won’t be able to resist making another, then another… Soon you will be buried under a big pile of pumpkins and wondering if you have enough friends, and family to give them to. Watch the tutorial below, or order the needle felting kit form the WEBSITE or ETSY

WATCH VIDEO TUTORIAL

5 Easy Needle Felting Projects For Spring And Easter

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to get your creative juices flowing. And what better way to do that than by learning a new crafting skill? I have for you, 5 easy needle felting projects for spring and Easter, perfect for beginners or just some relaxing creative down time. So whether you’re looking to learn how to bunny or bumble bee brooch or a springtime wreath or garland, I’ve got you covered. So get ready to let your imagination run wild and have some fun with these easy needle felting video tutorials!

NEEDLE FELTING KITS

Spring and Easter needle felting kits are available HERE on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website.

5 QUICK AND EASY NEEDLE FELTING PROJECTS

Short on time? Well, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced needle felter, there’s something here for everyone. Grab your wool and felting needles and felt along with me. These step by step video tutorials make it easy peasy and you can adapt each project for fabulous spring and Easter décor or lovely gifts for your favourite people. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

VIDEO TUTORIALS

NEEDLE FELTED BUMBLE BEE BROOCH – MAKE TIME ONE HOUR

NEEDLE FELTED BUNNY BROOCH – MAKE TIME ONE HOUR

EASY NEEDLE FELTED MUSHROOMS – MAKE TIME 30 MINUTES

YUMMY NEEDLE FELTED MACARONS – MAKE TIME 15 MINUTES

EASY NEEDLE FELTED BALL IN 3 MINUTES

How To Needle Felt A Quirky Christmas Gnome?

Well what a blast this live workshop was, recorded in all it’s festive glory for you to enjoy. From his pointy ears to his massive snozzle, every part of this project is an absolute seasonal delight.

Believe it or not this gorgeous pointy eared gnome is a perfect project for everyone, even complete beginners. Learn how to needle felt a quirky gnome, using all my needle felting tips and quick wins. You will be able to create a project that looks like it was made by an expert needle felter, and in less than 90 minutes! How amazing is that?

Scroll down for video tutorial, or take your time and enjoy my creative suggestions.

I have added some sparkly fairy lights to my dome.

WHY NOT ADAPT THIS NEEDLE FELTING PROJECT TO SUIT YOUR FESTIVE THEME?

It is small enough to pop in a dome, hang from your tree, or create a festive gnome garland. I have just received a photo on my Facebook page where they have even been made as little place settings for the dinner table; how Christmas cool is that? However you display yours, you will have so much fun creating them so, time to grab your wool and needles and get making.

With his festive hat askew, funny ears and big nose, it is obvious he is just waiting for mischief around every corner , even the Grinch couldn’t resist him!

JUST STARTED NEEDLE FELTING?

Order your wool bundle or needle felting kit HERE

MAKE TIME: 70 minutes

  • Coarse wool top for the body
  • Colour carded wool for the hat
  • Grey and white wool top for the beard
  • Light carded wool for ears and nose
  • BBQ skewer to make the nose around
  • 1 x size 38 felting needle
  • Felting base

VIDEO TUTORIAL

I have split it into sections so you can skip the intro and cut straight to the felting, but please take time to appreciate my fabulously festive background 😉 🎄

Happy Festive Felting!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART?

I can’t decide whether it is the jauntily angled crooked hat, his pointy ears, or his giant nose. Let me know in the comments and share your photos with me.

P.S. Want more creativity? Subscribe below for creative updates!

FREE NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOPS LIVE ON FACEBOOK!

DATES FOR YOU FESTIVE CREATIVE DIARY!

Tomorrow and Friday evening I will be holding two free, live workshops on my Facebook page to kick off a month of Christmas creativity. 

Thursday 25th, 7pm (GMT) – Christmas Wreath And Garland

Friday 26th, 7pm (GMT) – Pointy Eared Gnome In A Dome

Each session will be 60-90 minutes GMT time. Just turn up with your wool, felting needles and a cuppa and we will have a natter and some ‘us’ time.

Materials list and details are on my FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE.

DON’T HAVE FACEBOOK?
No problem as I will pop them on YouTube after the event.

TOMORROW NIGHT – CHRISTMAS WREATH AND GARLAND

Make Christmas handmade and create this impressively stylish and seasonal Christmas wreath or garland, with realistic needle felted dried orange and lemon slices, chillies, and finished off with a beautiful lush red wool bow! You can even add your own pom poms to the garland as an extra special touch.
New to needle felting? Don’t worry because I’m going to walk you through it all as we go. After this workshop you’ll be ready for any holiday crafting projects! Bring your own wool stash, or order the wool bundles and kits over on the WEBSITE

FRIDAY NIGHT – CUTE AND QUIRKY POINTY EARED GNOME

A fabulously quirky and unique Christmas decoration for you to make.
These are great for decorating your home during the holidays or as gifts. You’ll learn basic needle felting techniques plus my quick wins for making your finished gnome look like it came from a cute craft shop, but for a fraction of the price. Join me live and have fun crafting your own handmade decoration that is eco-friendly and will have pride of place year after year. It also looks great in a dome with fairy lights. Bring your own wool stash, or order the wool bundles and kits over on the WEBSITE

P.S.VISIT MY FACEBOOK EVENTS PAGE FOR YOUR MATERIALS LIST OR THE WEBSITE FOR YOUR WORKSHOPS PACK

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT A FESTIVE WREATH AND GARLAND?

CREATE THE CHRISTMAS WOW FACTOR!

This Christmas why not try making your own festive wreath and garland?

It never ceases to amaze me what you can create with felting wool and a felting needle??? My latest tutorial is this stunning needle felted Christmas wreath and garland; my take on the traditional dried fruit and chilli garlands we see each year. It’s like magic – a pinch of this, a wisp of that, and a tiny sup song of whatever takes your fancy, throw in a cookie cutter, and a wooden BBQ skewer and et voila!

MAKE YOUR OWN SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!

I love this idea for a festive door decoration. The bright colours of the needle felted fruit and chillies are so cheerful, and would definitely bring a smile to your guests as they come through your front door.
This is such an easy project to do and, although it does take time and patience, the results are beyond worth it! It’s actually really satisfying seeing the fruits take shape before your eyes as you needle felt them layer by layer. You can use different types of wool depending on what effect you’d like to achieve. What’s more, they can be displayed proudly, year after year, are natural, sustainable, and completely biodegradable.

This is a step-by-step tutorial and, if you’re new to needle felting, don’t worry because I’m going to walk you through it all as we go. After this post you’ll be ready for any holiday crafting projects!

DO YOU NEED THE WOOL BUNDLE OR KIT?

If you don’t have the wool or needles you can find them here, on the Lincolnshire Fenn Craft website. I have carefully curated my favourite wools to give you the best possible result.

HAVE ALL THE FELTING GEAR? THEN HERE’S YOUR MATERIALS LIST.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Seasonal wool tops and carded wool for your oranges, lemons and chillies.
  • Forest green and Christmas red wool top/roving.
  • BBQ skewer for shaping your chillies. 
  • Polystyrene hoop for wreath
  • Length of wool yarn for threading your garland
  • Round cookie cutter or similar; ideal for perfectly round slices. However, I will also show you how to make them free hand.

Pin this image to your Pinterest board and save for later.

STYLE IDEA

Imagine this combination as the centre piece to your fireplace, and how realistic does that fruit look?

VIDEO TUTORIAL

I have split the video tutorial into three easy to follow parts. Hope you love it as much as I did. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE channel for instant notification of new tutorials!

Happy festive felting!

Make Your Own Needle Felted Nordic Gnome – Easy Tutorial

Using a BBQ skewer, or chop stick, as a needle felting tool makes many needle felting projects a whole lot easier, and faster to complete. It is also a great aid for creating symmetry, especially when it comes to legs and feet. It is the tool that no self respecting needle felter should be without, whether it’s your first needle felting project or your twentieth. Even better, you will probably find one, or both, at the bottom of your kitchen drawer, along with the sandwich toaster and vegetable juicer…

IT’S SUCH AN EASY PROJECT!

This gnome on a stick is easy to make and the solid hat means you can really go to town on the embellishments without spoiling the shape. Simple embroidery adds another creative and effective element. Time to make: 60-90 minutes. Beginners and perfectionists add on another 30 minutes.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL OR SHOP THE CHRISTMAS NEEDLE FELTING KITS

You will need:

  • Carded wool or wool top (AKA roving) for the hat, body and nose; I am using carded wool for both.
  • Felting needle – size 38 (or medium) is a good all rounder.
  • Wooden BBQ skewer or chop stick; metal is too slippery for the wool to hold onto.
  • Felting mat: Foam, hessian or wool
  • For the beard use wool tops, curly wool or knitting yarn
  • Embellishments or embroidery thread for decoration

TOP TIPS BEFORE YOU START!

  • Needles are sharp so keep your fingers out of the way. If in doubt, use finger protectors. Not suitable for young children and older children should be supervised at all times.
  • When working around your stick avoid hitting the wood with your needle as it could break. Working at a diagonal angle will help avoid this.
  • Keep the wool firm as you wrap, using thin lengths of wool, and take your time to build it into a cone shape. If your wool is too bulky you will struggle to get a nice smooth shape.
  • If you start to loose the shape, simply unwind a little wool and do it again.
  • Enjoy yourself and, if it’s your first project, go easy on yourself; you are only on chapter 1 so don’t compare yourself to others who are on chapter 5.

There is no end to the style of gnomes you can create and how gorgeous are these visions in pink and raspberry! I love the impact created by these simple embroidered snowflakes against the bold raspberry colour.

EMBROIDERED SNOWFLAKES

Embroidered snowflakes are super simple! Just thread a large needle with yarn and criss cross four straight lines until you have a seven pointed star. They can also be needle felted on.

TOP TIP: Keep the yarn loose so as not to sistort the shape of the snowflake.

Image shows pretty pink DIY Christmas gnome decorations.

HAT AND BODY

1 Wrap your wool around the stick and felt into place

2-4 Continue to wrap and felt until you have covered half of your stick, longer if you want a bigger hat.

5-6 Continue to wrap and felt to secure

Image shows how to start making your own DIY Christmas gnome decoration.

7 Continue to build the shape but don’t take the wool to the tip bas you want to create a cone shape.

8-9 Create your shape along the stick by using your needle at a diagonal angle.

10 Widen the base as you felt; mine is approx. 6cm diameter

11-12 Create the body the same way but aim for a barrel shape approx. 6cm in height, slightly narrower at the top and wider at the base for stability.

Image shows how to make a needle felted gnome hat.

13-14 Remove from the stick and continue to shape and firm

15 Create a cavity at the base of the hat for the body to sit in.

16 Narrow the top, if necessary, by felting at a diagonal angle from the top towards the base.

17-18 Pop some fresh wool on the top of the body and felt into the hat.

Needle felted gnome tutorial.

19-20 Now felt through the hat and into the top of the body, until it is held firmly.

Needle felted gnome tutorial.

NOSE

21 Wrap the end of a small piece of wool firmly around your wooden skewer, aiming for a short oval shape.

22 Continue to wrap the wool around the stick (no need to use your needle yet) and use your thumb and finger to stop it from moving down the stick and becoming too long. Felt a little to secure but leave the ends slightly loose. TOP TIP: Don’t forget to keep it tight as this will create a great shape. Make it any size you want.

23 Check you are happy with the size and shape.

24 Remove from the stick and felt each side (where you left the wool loose) just under the brim of the hat.

25 It needs to be a good size as it will soon disappear under the beard, so if it’s too small it will look lost.

Needle felted gnome tutorial.

BEARD

26-28 Felt the beard wool or locks just under the brim of the hat. This will keep it looking neat.

29 Add in more colour if you want to.

30-31 You can create a beard at the front or, as I have done, create a full skirt all the way around the hat.

Needle felted gnome tutorial - adding a curly beard.

Et voila! Leave it simple or add embellishments. I have wrapped wool yarn around this one and created a loose pom pom at the top. Now go forth and make more gnomes; it would be rude not to and they always look better in twos, threes, fours…😉

DO YOU WANT MORE SEASONAL CRAFT IDEAS?

Then look no further as there are so many other CHRISTMAS NEEDLE FELTING PROJECTS for you to try.

THERE’S A PROJECT TO SUIT EVERY STYLE, ABILITY, AND TASTE

From winter pumpkins to penguins, cute to traditional, Nordic gnomes to forest fairies. Fill your seasonal home with creativity and handmade love.

Autumn Wreath DIY Tutorial

Create stylish autumn/fall décor with this beautiful DIY needle felted autumn/fall wreath which is incredibly easy to make, and ideal for any ability. Super easy needle felted pumpkins and acorns will make this project a breeze, even for the most nervous of beginners. See below for video tutorial, materials list, wool bundles and kit.

MATERIALS LIST:

  • Seasonal wool tops and carded wool for your pumpkins and acorns
  • Acorn caps
  • Wooden skewer for shaping acorns
  • Natural jute ribbon
  • Natural vine wreath
  • Felting mat and needles

SHOP PATTERN, WOOL AND KIT

P Is For Pastel Pumpkins

Pretty pastel pumpkins are a lovely alternative to the traditional colour scheme and this cool wool palette is perfect for winter décor.

Watch The Video Tutorial

Have a question?

I love questions so feel free to message me!

Easy Needle Felting Projects – The Pumpkin Edit. What’s your style?

Craft your own seasonal happy space with a needle felted pumpkin or two, or three, or fill the whole house (as I do) with these glorious DIY projects that will take us into autumn/fall and beyond.

Make pumpkins with personality using carded wool or wool tops

Scroll down for video tutorials

I am a firm believer that pumpkins are absolutely not just for Halloween and I have you covered with three pumpkin tutorials that will take you right through September to December and Christmas. Yes, of course there’s a Christmas pumpkin!

If you are nervous about starting needle felting then this is the project for you!

Not only are they fabulous needle felting project but, they are also one of the quickest and easiest needle felting projects to make, taking a mere 30 minutes! They will add instant impact to any room, and are impressive seasonal gifts for friends and loved ones and, If the weather permits, they look wonderful on an outside dining table or strung as a garland from a tree or deck.

Keep it simple or go for all out bling and glamour. Go traditional or opt for a style that the cast of Frozen would be envious of. Whatever your style, there really is a needle felted pumpkin for everyone and no needle felting experience necessary; just a few needle felting supplies and a big dollop of enthusiasm.

There are three video tutorials to choose from – traditional, fire and ice and winter wonderland – and you could have all three made in just 90 minutes!

I have popped a materials list above each one but these are just suggestions and anything goes. Don’t worry if you haven’t any carded wool as there is also a tutorial using wool tops. See I told you I have you covered!

Happy creating and I would love to see your pumpkin photos to add to the community gallery. You can email them to me at: info@lincolnshirefenncrafts.com or send them to me via my FaceBook page.

Do you need wool or supplies?

Links for kits, wool and needles are also below or SHOP WEBSITE

1 NEW! FIRE AND ICE PUMPKIN

Shop wool and kit

Materials

  • Core wool
  • 25g carded wool bat (fiery orange/red)
  • Bright white wool top
  • Natural white tussah silk
  • Silk waste (for cobweb/ice effects)
  • Wooden skewer to make stalk
  • Acrylic beads

2 TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN

SHOP WOOL AND KIT

Materials

  • 25g orange carded wool batt
  • Core wool
  • 5g approx. Mustard wool top for leaves and stems
  • 1 x Felting needles (size 36 or 38 is a good all rounder)
  • Felting mat

3 WINTER WONDERLAND PUMPKIN

SHOP WOOL

Materials

  • 25g White, grey or aqua carded batts
  • Core wool (for centre of project)
  • Beads and silk for embellishments
  • 2 x Felting needles in storage tube
  • Felting mat

4 USING WOOL TOPS/ROVING

SHOP WOOL AND KIT

Wool colours

  • Assorted wool tops – autumn/fall colours
  • Core wool
  • 1 x Felting needles (size 36 or 38 is a good all rounder)
  • Felting mat

Show Stopping, Stylish Needle Felted Pumpkins

It’s coming to that time of year again and oh yes, do I have a treat for you!!!

If you have been following the blog for a while then you will know how much I love, love making pumpkins and I get a real kick out of coming up with new designs, and this years will not disappoint!

I am talking about a show stopping pumpkin that wouldn’t look out of place in a John Lewis advert or a Homes & Gardens feature. What’s more, it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish which is another reason I love making them.

This bold fire and ice style uses beautiful silk fibres and wool tops for contrast and effect, finished off with a string of fiery beads for a touch of glamour.

The video tutorial and materials list are below and you can purchase the wool bundle on the WEBSITE which includes everything in the materials list.

CLICK HERE FOR WOOL BUNDLE

MATERIALS LIST

You will need:

  • Felting needle (size 36 or 38 are good all rounders)
  • Felting mat
  • Core wool
  • Carded wool bat (fiery orange)
  • Bright white wool top
  • Stripy wool top with a silk blend
  • Natural white tussah silk
  • Silk waste (for cobweb/ice effects)
  • Wooden skewer to make stalk
  • Acrylic beads

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Needle Felted Macarons In 15 Minutes

These needle felted Macarons will be the most fabulous calorie free cakes you have ever had. My no fail needle felting recipe will have you filling plates and making summer garlands in no time. Each macaron takes a mere 15 minutes to make and all you need are a few scraps of wool and a bucketful of enthusiasm!

It is the perfect needle felting project to kick back and relax with and, if you are a nervous beginner, then this super easy needle felting project has your name all over it. Just imagine a few garlands of these beauties swinging in the summer breeze. The perfect garden party décor and wouldn’t they look brilliant with my bumble bee garland? Video tutorials for both are below.

Happy Creating!

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Scraps of carded wool
  • Core wool (optional)
  • Felting needle
  • Felting base

Yummy Macarons

Busy Bees

Needle Felted Mini Bunny

Mini Bunny needle felting video tutorial – for even the most nervous beginners. With supporting printable pattern download on the website.

This is the easiest of easiest needle felting projects, only takes around 30-40 minutes and is just a whole heap of relaxing fun. Whether you are a nervous first time needle felter/crafter, just want to have some relaxing creative fun or want to fill the house with gorgeous handmade bunny decorations, this is a great project. The process and technique for this pattern is really easy and straightforward. Your secret weapon is the BBQ stick you will be using which makes creating the body shape so much easier and super fast. It really is the needle felting tool you never knew you needed but was in your kitchen drawer all the time.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed making these because cute and cartoony normally isn’t my thing. But, it seems I am a cute and colourful convert just because of how relaxing it was and, there’s no denying, those pastel colours are pretty lush. Even as a seasoned needle felter it is incredibly satisfying to complete something quickly and easily, knowing what the end result will be, and then repeating the process again. I was completely focused and really just felted away in quiet contemplation. There is something immensely calming about creating simple projects and repeating a task – part of the human psyche I guess – so much so that I ended up making four of them and will be making more for an Easter garland.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Needle felting wool – Approx. 5g, any type or colour.
  • Standard felting needle – size 38 is a good all-rounder.
  • Wooden BBQ skewer (or similar) for shaping
  • Felting mat

Click HERE for the downloadable pattern at a special price of just £1.50.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

CLICK FOR PATTERN DOWNLOAD

MORE SPRING/SUMMER MAKES

For more easy spring and Easter makes just follow the link below and grab yourself some more calming creativity.

You can make a needle felted garland in around 90 minutes – including bumble bees – and the bumble bee brooch will take just 30 minutes.

CLICK FOR SPRING/SUMMER MAKES

How To Make Needle Felted Balls

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR VIDEO TUTORIAL

The wool bundle to create this gorgeous garland can be purchased on the LFC website: SHOP HERE

Temperatures are below freezing, the days are still short, we can’t go out anywhere, the shops are shut… but hey, the heating’s on, there’s food in the cupboard, my dog is there for constant cuddles and we have crafts for company. That’ll do me for now.

In an effort to bring some colour into our lives I am stuck on pretty pastels and all things spring at the moment and it doesn’t get more pastel or spring like than this gorgeous Easter garland. It is also a great way to use up any scraps of wool you have in your felt box and, if you have needle felted before, there are always plenty of scraps in your felt box.

TOP TIP FOR PERFECT SHAPES EVERY TIME

So here I am with a little golden nugget of a needle felting tip for almost perfectly firm and round needle felted balls; use a wooden BBQ stick. I have been using one for ages to create even, smooth shapes and discovered – after trying many other techniques – that using said stick is by far the fastest and easiest way to make perfectly shaped felted balls, in just 3 to 4 minutes! Who knew?

This gorgeous garland is so easy to make and, teamed with the needle felted bumble bees (also a breeze to make), you have yourself a beautiful piece of spring décor to brighten even the most dullest of days. The bees also make a great brooch, or pin.

Click HERE for bumble bee tutorial.

TIME TO MAKE

Felt ball: 3 minutes

Bumble Bee: 20 minutes

Felt Ball Garland: 50 minutes (14 balls)

With 3 bumble bees: 2 hours

YOU WILL NEED

1 Small length of wool top or carded wool; mine are approximately 1g (20cm long) but you can make them bigger. Just make sure they weigh approximately the same so your felt balls are all a similar size; unless you prefer odd shaped balls…

2 Felting needle; a size 38 or 36 is best as they are sturdy and less likely to break on the stick

3 Soft felting surface; foam mat, rice filled hessian bag or a piece of flat felt

4 Sewing needle and strong thread to create your garland

Let’s get going!

SCROLL TO THE END IF YOU LOVE A VIDEO TUTORIAL!

1 Select your first piece of wool.

2 Twizzle the end of the wool in your fingers to slightly matt it.

3 Wrap the end firmly around your wooden skewer

4 Continue to wrap the wool around the stick (no need to use your needle yet) and use your thumb and finger to stop it from moving down the stick and becoming too long.

5 Continue until all the wool is wrapped around the stick. TOP TIP: It should be firmly wrapped but also springy to the touch. If it is too firm it will be harder to shape.

6 Start to shape by poking your needle gently into the ends of the wool – avoiding the stick – at a diagonal angle so the needle doesn’t bend. TOP TIP: Keep moving the stick around with your free hand so the shape is even and there are no flattened areas.

7 Repeat for the other end and continue to shape the entire ball until it is quite firm. It won’t be perfectly round yet but that doesn’t matter.

8 Slide off the pointy end of the stick.

9 Continue to firm and shape with your needle. This will also close the hole created by the wooden stick.

10 Finally, roll the ball firmly in your cupped hands (for a few seconds) to create an even round shape and smooth finish.

Once you have enough for your garland string them together with strong cotton. If you are adding bumble bees make sure you push the needle and cotton through the upper part of the bee as they are top heavy and will be upside down when you hang it. Also, it took me longer than I care to admit to work that out. 😳

Hope you enjoyed this and just subscribe at the bottom of the page for instant blog notifications and up-dates. Happy creating 🐝

VIDEO TUTORIAL

CLICK FOR ALL VIDEO TUTORIALS