Stylish Nordic Felt Decorations You Can Make Yourself

What a thrill to feature, and showcase the free tutorials, and amazing handmade collection from felt florist, The Tsubaki. They are the perfect addition to a minimalist, or simple Nordic style Christmas décor.

Indeed, my own home is full of her beautifully created cut felt flowers and stems; her Eucalyptus stems, Peonies, and Cherry Blossoms are to die for!

SCROLL DOWN FOR FREE FESTIVE TUTORIALS

Yuki works with flat felt creating intricate designs for flowers, holiday décor, wall hangings and so much more, and her amazing Floriography (the language of flowers) skills are inspired by her creative Japanese heritage and the ever changing seasons.

FREE TUTORIALS FROM THE TSUBAKI From perfect Poinsettia’s to marvellous mini trees, why not create Yuki’s beautiful creations yourself. Click on the photos below and follow the links for some festive free tutorials. You will soon find yourself begin to relax, unwind, and enjoy the process of some meditative creativity.

MEET THE MAKER

Bringing together her love of nature and creating using felt, Yuki Brittain started The Tsubaki in 2017. Now, just a few years later, her business is flourishing and she is fondly known as ‘the felt florist’.

Introducing Yuki Brittain from The Tsubaki
Introducing Yuki Brittain from The Tsubaki

I was brought up in a very creative family in Japan surrounded by craft and people designing and making things! My grandmother made Kimonos, my grandfather taught me how to make straw shoes, my father still loves DIY and making his own fishing tools from scratch and my mother was also involved in the craft world. Naturally I absorbed a lot.

TURNING A DREAM INTO REALITY

I started designing felt floral gardens after becoming a mum of 2 and deciding now was the time to follow my dreams of designing artificial flowers from felts. Creating natural looking flowers has given me a renewed energy and a connection to an artistic world I have always dreamed of. Our felt flower shop offers wedding bouquets, home flower arrangements, botanical gifts and more, all handcrafted in the UK.

ETHOS

Simplicity and calm. I attempt to create a sense of peacefulness all the way from my products to the design of my website to the service I provide. My aim is to transmit the beauty of nature into people’s homes and to give people a moment of clarity.

THE PROCESS

My inspirations come from the outside world. I enjoy walking in the woods near my home, seeing the changes in nature throughout the seasons. My ideas on what to design usually come from these moments when connecting with nature. They can come at any point when I am outside so I always carry a sketchbook to write or draw designs as soon as inspiration hits!

I am also a keen student of flowers and visit many gardens throughout the UK and keep updated with the latest trends through social media, the internet and magazines. I like to make my flowers as representative as possible to real life so I practice the designs many hundreds of times before settling on a style.

INSPIRATION

Currently I live in the countryside in Surrey. I have amazing woods within a five minute walk which I never take for granted as it gives me such a sense of belonging, amongst nature, flowers and the outdoors.

SHOP THE TSUBAKI COLLECTION

Yuki is constantly updating her designs to follow the seasons, and her beautiful website is so worth a visit, even if it is just to look at the stunning Peonies and dazzling felt flower bouquets.

BOOK AN ONLINE COURSE

If you have tried the free tutorials and fancy something a bit more in depth then Yuki has some amazing online courses. At just £20 per course this is amazing value, and the results are stunning! There is even a master class so you can do a deep dive into creating beautiful felt flowers with ‘The Felt Florist’.

BOOK AN ONLINE COURSE

Yuki has created courses designed for all levels, from a beginner to experienced flower makers. Showing you step by step how to recreate some of her beautiful designs.

Get social with The Tsubaki. Happy festive felting!

MAKE SPECTACULAR NEEDLE FELTED DECORATIONS

Why not try needle felting with these fabulous free tutorials, and fill your home with beautiful handmade Christmas décor. Made with love, by you!

Image shows cute needle felted Christmas decorations. DIY Christmas wreath, bauble, gnomes and fairies
image shows a pretty needle felted picture of an abstract cornish costal scene. It hasbrightly coloured houses along the harbour wall. A bobbing boat and seagulls. Text reads: easy needle felted picture with Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts

How To Needle Felt A Picture – Everything You Need To know!

Learn how to needle felt a picture and create your own stunning 2D needle felted Cornish seascape, bursting with colour and character. Video tutorial links are at the bottom of this post and this beautiful project is suitable for beginners, and experienced needle felters, taking around eight hours to complete. I have carefully selected all the materials, wool, and fibres to give you the best possible outcome for your project, so if you are working from my Needle Felting Kit everything you need is already there. That also includes to linen, printed design and carbon paper to trace it onto your fabric, ready to start needle felting.

VIDEO TUTORIALS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST

If you haven’t tried needle felted pictures before, I know you are going to love this design. It was a joy to create and the bold colours, and design, really sing. Adding the cheeky three dimensional Seagulls really brings it to life, as do the rolling waves with the gorgeous silk strands. The result is a mix of Cornish impressionism meets Balamory, and my love of the sea.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED/CONTENTS

If you are working from the kit, everything you need is in your box. If you are working from the pattern, and your own supplies, you will need:

  • Approximately 40g of mixed wool colours. I have used approximately 18 different colours: a mix of carded wool, wool tops, silk blends, and silk throwsters waste.
  • Felting needle: size 38 star works best
  • A4 size linen, calico or similar. A close weave works best in a light colour.
  • Felting mat

ARE YOU NEW TO NEEDLE FELTING?

The complete kit is available on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website and in my Etsy shop

OPTIONAL

  • Multi needle tools will speed up the process
  • Carbon paper for tracing the design but you can copy directly onto the fabric
  • Frame, driftwood, or similar to display. It can also be mounted onto card using double sided tape
image shows linen, carbon paper and a pre-printed picture that will be used to create the needle felted picture.

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT: THE BASICS

Caution: This activity is for adults and older children – 12 years and older – and then only with strict adult guidance and supervision due to the very sharp needles. Do not allow children to attempt this project alone!

HOW TO USE YOUR FELTING NEEDLE?

Felt is made using the barbed needles and repeatedly and by carefully stabbing into the wool fleece. This will tangle the fibres together until the wool becomes firm, and, following the instructions, create your own needle felted project.

Before you start you project it is important to know a few basics about needle felting but equally important is that this is YOUR creation. You may decide to make changes. BRILLIANT! Make it your own. If you make a mistake, then remove it by gently tugging with a standard dress pin and try again. Most importantly, be patient and enjoy this gorgeous project. Take your time and remember “the devil is in the detail” so tempting though it is, don’t rush when you are getting near the end of your project. Sit back and decide on your finishing touches. Make it simple, quirky, or as detailed as you like…

CLICK HERE FOR MY FELTING NEEDLE GUIDE

image shows a felting needle multi tool

SAFETY AND TECHNIQUE

You need to take extra precautions to watch your fingers because, as you hold and turn your project, there is a greater chance of poking through the wool right into your finger; use finger guards if this helps.

Use the foam pad wherever possible and remember to always poke your needle in a straight line, no matter the angle, so as not to break your needle.

The finished project will be unique to you so feel free to use your imagination. Be patient as these lovely creations deserve the time they take to make, and you will quickly get used to the needle felting process. Once you have finished this project there will be no stopping you!

Upon completion sit back, admire, and tell your friends and family “I did that!”

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE COLLECTABLES, NOT TOYS! KEEP THEM AWAY FROM PETS AND SMALL CHILDREN!

TOP TIPS

1 You can always add more wool but not take it away once felted. Start with less wool than you need and build up your project slowly.

2 Patience is a virtue so take your time.

3 Feel free to add your own details and use your own artistic license for the finishing touches.

4 ENJOY! If this is your first needle felting project allow yourself to be a beginner and build your creative confidence. It’s not a sprint to the finish and you are going to learn some fabulous new skills. Hopefully, this will be just the start of your needle felting journey.

5 VIDEO TUTORIALS – You will find so many helpful tutorials on my YouTube channel, from nervous beginners to intermediate level. Have a look at the playlists and find what is most suitable for you on the: Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts YouTube channel

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Skill level: Beginners to confident needle felters

Make time: 6 to 8 hours

STYLE

Think Cornish coastline meets Balamory, which was actually set in Tobermory. Full of vibrant colours and details, I approached it like a paint by numbers, colour between the lines, sort of project. It is beautifully simple and, apart from the seagulls and some sea detail, this project is completely flat felted. It is not difficult and is soothingly repetitive. You can pick it up whenever you feel like it, have a break and do some more.

Image shows needle felted pictures of houses on a harbour wall, in lots of bright bold colours.

TECHNIQUE

As the technique for most of the project is the same, video tutorials and the pattern will guide you through the different sections, from tracing the picture, using the fabric, type of needles to use, laying down the fibres, outlining the details, and building up some of the areas to add dimension, detail, and contrast.

ADD YOUR OWN FLAIR

If you are a confident crafter, or this isn’t your first needle felting gig, feel free to blend your own colours, add fabric scraps, beads, and your own details.

IS IT YOUR FIRST TIME FELTING ON LINEN?

If so, it will feel quite strange for the first ten minutes, but you will quickly get used to the different work surface. This is also a popular choice for flat felted animal portraits.

WHY LINEN?

I love experimenting with different fabrics for flat needle felting and, there are several reasons why linen/Calico works really well for this project

  • It needs to be a close weave linen/Calico so that your needle doesn’t damage the fabric or create holes in the weave.
  • Perfect for tracing your image onto in detail, which you just can’t do with a wool felt base.
  • It is also a great base for this project as you want the fibres to lay as flat as possible, with no distortion, allowing for tiny details to be added without getting lost.
image shows how to start a needle felted picture

THE WOOL

If you are working from the kit you will find mostly carded wool and a few wool tops. In addition there are some beautiful silk fibres, and wool silk blends which add great contrast and interest to the finished piece.

USING YOUR OWN WOOL STASH

Almost any felting wool can be used with ease for this project. Just grab as many bright and bold colours you can from your wool stash.

WHAT FELTING NEEDLES DO I NEED?

The entire project can be completed with one needle. I found the 38 star needle to be my favourite for this project, and I also used the 7 needle punch tool but removed 2 of the needles as I found it penetrated the foam mat surface more easily.

You can also use a needle felting pen tool, or a wooden multi tool with 3 needles. All the needles and tools can be found in the tools section on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website.

WHAT FELTING MAT SHOULD I USE?

I have used a large foam mat – 30cm x 30cm – with a wool felt topper to protect it. However, any felting mat will do, including a soft wool mat, or hessian mat.

image shows seagulls being needle felted

ALWAYS USE A PROTECTIVE TOPPER!

Whatever surface you are working on, I always advise using a topper to protect your mat. Anything from a wool/cotton blend to 100% wool is suitable. It will stop your work from sticking to your felting mat and significantly extend its working life, saving you money and reducing landfill waste. Your wool topper can be sustainably and easily replaced.

LIFT YOUR WORK REGULARLY FROM THE FELTING MAT

This is especially important when flat needle felting. If you don’t lift your work regularly you will find it much harder to peel from your mat. It is normal for your work to stick but this is reduced if you keep moving it, especially when using a multi needle tool.

YOU WON’T GET IT WRONG

Because there is no right and wrong when it comes to this project, and adding your own preferences and details. It is more important that you work on your technique to give you the best possible result. Take your time and make sure to take regular breaks. I would recommend you complete this project in three or more sittings.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIALS

 I love questions so please feel free to message me at:

        info@lincolnshirefenncrafts.com

        or via the website contact form at:

        www.lincolnshirefenncrafts.com

Easy Needle Felted Flowers – DIY Tutorial!

How amazing do these needle felted flowers look? Elegant felted Calla lilies or striking sunburst flowers; What a bloomin treat of a needle felting tutorial have I got for you! Two totally different flowers, two different techniques, but both results are easy to achieve and, quite simply, bloomin marvellous! Ok, no more flower puns…probably?

You have the divine, realistic, beautiful in it’s simplicity, Calla lily. Then, in complete contrast, the flamboyant, look at me style of this lush needle felted flower brooch which is part sunflower, part succulent, and part sea anemone. Best of all, you get to choose your own personal style with the easy techniques I am going to teach you.

HAVE YOU JUST STARTED NEEDLE FELTING?

It doesn’t matter if you are a needle felting beginner, or a seasoned needle felter, this is the perfect project for those crafty moments when you need to add some colour and style to your creative day. It is also a great way to learn new needle felting techniques and apply them to an endless number of felted projects.

EASY NEEDLE FELTING VIDEO TUTORIALS

You will find the video tutorials for both felting projects at the bottom of this page but you should definitely read my hints and tips before you start; especially if you are new to needle felting!

The key to the success of this felting project is getting perfectly shaped petals which can be easily done without the need for a cookie cutter, or template. Making them free hand allows you to create any shape or style you want and my super easy techniques will show you how to do just that, including the elegant Calla Lily stems.

IS NEEDLE FELTING HARD?

Nervous about starting? Then you are in exactly the right place! Needle felting isn’t hard, but getting the basics right (from the get go), is essential to helping you progress quickly and will make your needle felting journey a joy. If you have the enthusiasm then I promise you I will give you the confidence and techniques you need to make your needle felting projects successful. Always remember that any craft is a learning curve and any ‘mistakes’ you make are essential to the learning process. That said, the joy of working with wool, and needle felting in particular, allows much room for error. Even if the end result isn’t what you intended, rest assured you will end up with a beautiful ‘something’ at the end of it. One of my happiest ‘mistakes’ was a mouse that ended up as a cat. I was thrilled because cats are my needle felting nemesis. It was hugely popular and I have had many requests for a tutorial, which will probably never happen as I haven’t a clue how it ended up that way; aah, the joys of needle felting…

GRAB YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD FOR BEGINNERS

Join the VIP Felt Club! It’s free and you will receive a free needle felting pattern, lifetime discount code, exclusive early access to new product launches and promotions, as well as notification of new tutorials and live needle felting workshops.

Or get creative with me over at THE FELT HUB

I have created a Facebook group that will inspire and develop your needle felting confidence (whatever level you are at), and encourage others to get involved, in a more private space. You will also be able to comment and share your WIP creations during and after the live workshops and ask for help and support from myself or other members. It’s a lovely community where you can grab some crafty respite.

MAKE GORGEOUS NEEDLE FELTED FLOWERS!

Display the striking Calla lilies in a vase, create your own DIY wedding bouquet or button holes, have them as a beautiful centrepiece or just as a calming moment in any room.

The ‘Sun Burst’ flower brooch is a total contrast to the lily, in its flamboyant and colourful presence. Us a bright and bold wool that demands the viewers attention and add a simple or exotic centre. Beautiful worn as a brooch, a scarf pin, displayed as a single flower with an added stem, added too an Alice band, or part of a bigger display. I love a colourful headband and am itching to make something Frida Kahlo style so watch this space?

However you wear or display yours, just enjoy the fabulously meditative and creative process and needle felt away the detritus of the day.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

The WOOL PACKS AND KITS for these flowers can be purchased on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website.

If you already have your own stash of wool, needles and mats then here is a materials list for you.

These are the wools I have used for the two needle felted flowers, but feel free to raid your wool stash and create your own style.

WHAT’S THE BEST FELTING WOOL FOR THIS PROJECT?

For the Cala Lily I have used natural white Perendale carded batting sheet, carded green lengths for the stem, and a creamy yellow wool top/roving for the stamen. Perendale batt is my favourite as its natural colour is much whiter than most other batting, making it perfect for projects where you want the whitest top coat or finish; I also use it for Daphne Chicken. It felts easily with a really smooth finish, and is super clean with little to no grassy bits to pull out.

For the sunburst flower petals I have used a vibrant blended carded wool, with added carded zingy yellow. For the centre of the flower I have created two completely different looks; the first using yellow and white wool tops, the second using wool yarn in bright complimentary colours.

KEY POINTS

Calla Lily

  • Use equal amounts of wool for each petal.
  • Make sure it’s firm.
  • No thicker than 1-2mm.
  • Leave the end of each petal loose for easy attachment. 4 Use your first petal as a size and shape guide.

Sunburst flower brooch

  • Use equal amounts of wool for each petal.
  • Make sure it’s firm.
  • No thicker than 1-2mm.
  • Leave the end of each petal loose for easy attachment.
  • Use your first petal as a size and shape guide.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

Now that I have built up the creative excitement it’s time to get stuck into this gorgeous needle felting project. Grab your wool, needles, or felting kit and fill your crafty boots with the video tutorials below.

Happy felting!

NEEDLE FELTED CALLA LILY

NEEDLE FELTED SUN BURST FLOWER BROOCH

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT A CHICKEN – EASY DIY PROJECT

FUN AND COLOURFUL NEEDLE FELTED CHICKEN

Improve your needle felting techniques and add a needle felted chicken to your creative menu. Calorie and guilt free but hours of fun! You will also learn how to needle felt a perfectly smooth finish; the Holy Grail of needle felting

The key to this project is getting a good shape and perfectly smooth finish and I am going to show you exactly how to achieve it, with easy step by step instructions and more photographs than you can shake a tail feather at. Suitable for confident beginners and more experienced needle felters.

SHOP NEEDLE FELTING KIT

SHOP WOOL BUNDLE – NO TOOLS

SHOP PATTERN DOWNLOAD

Scroll to bottom of page for video tutorials.

Daphne is wonderfully adorable and so much fun to make. Detailed instructions (more than 4,500 words), 110 step by step full colour photographs, plus lots of different needle felting techniques; including perfecting your shapes and getting a super smooth finish. Available as a complete needle felting kit, or wool bundle if you already have the tools.

Makes one large chicken (approximately 13cmH x 18L) or two smaller ones. Also includes downloadable pattern which is for personal use only.

To purchase pattern separately CLICK HERE

MAKE TIME: 4-5 hours. See description below for more details.

KIT CONTENTS – YOUR PATTERN WILL ARRIVE DIGITALLY VIA EMAIL BUT PLEASE SELECT THE OPTION IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE A HARD COPY IN YOUR KIT
  • Downloadable pattern plus option for printed pattern
  • White core wool approx. 20-25g for body, head, and neck.
  • 10g white carded batting for covering the body and making the wings
  • Pinch light brown wool for eyes and eyebrows
  • Pinch of orange for the beak
  • 2g of contrasting colour for the crown and waddle
  • 5 thin pieces of wool tops (bright colours) for the tail
  • 2 x Standard felting needle – size 38 is a good all-rounder
  • 1 x Fine felting needle – size 40
  • Wooden BBQ skewer (or similar) for shaping the head – optional
  • Felting mat

All you will need are a pair of sharp scissors.

WOOL BUNDLE CONTENTS

  • Downloadable and printable instructions
  • White core wool approx. 20-25g for body, head, and neck.
  • 10g white carded batting for covering the body and making the wings
  • Pinch light brown wool for eyes and eyebrows
  • Pinch of orange for the beak
  • 2g of contrasting colour for the crown and waddle
  • 5 thin pieces of wool tops (bright colours) for the tail

YOU WILL NEED

  • Standard felting needle – size 38 is a good all-rounder
  • Fine felting needle – size 40
  • Wooden BBQ skewer (or similar) for shaping the head – optional
  • Felting mat
  • Sharp scissors

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIALS

PART 1 – BODY
PART 2 – WINGS
PART 3 – FACE, CROWN, WATTLE AND TAIL FEATHERS

EASY NEEDLE FELTED HEDGEHOG – IN JUST ONE HOUR!

Hedgehogs are a much rarer sight in our gardens than they used to be and I remember my dad getting my 11 year old self, and younger brother out of bed at midnight to see a visiting hedgehog in our garden. What a treat and such cherished memories! Whilst you may not see the real thing very often, at least you can have your own handmade hoglet to keep you company all year round. So, I present my needle felted version of our beloved hedgehog and how using a reverse felting needle creates fabulous spikey details.

Did You Know?

Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant so bread and milk is not good for them! Find out what they really love to eat on The Woodland Trust blog at the bottom of this post.

MAKE YOUR OWN NEEDLE FELTED HEDGEHOG

Skill level: Complete beginners and beyond
Make time: 1 hour

Time to settle down with creativity, a cuppa, maybe a slice of cake, and join me for a full tutorial teaching you new needle felting tips, tricks and techniques.

VIDEO TUTORIAL AND MATERIALS LIST

You will need:

  • Grey wool top for body
  • Brown carded batting for top layer
  • Light brown wool top or carded for face
  • Darker wool for nose
  • Brown wool top for spikey halo
  • Standard/medium felting needle – I use a 38 star
  • Reverse felting needle for spikes – I use a 32 reverse
  • Glass beads for eyes
  • Felting mat
  • Enthusiasm

SHOP NEEDLE FELTING KIT- MAKES THREE COLIN HEDGEHOGS

Available from: LINCOLNSHIRE FENN CRAFTS  or  ETSY

If you want to encourage hedgehogs in your own garden here are a few guidelines from James Martin, content editor of the WOODLAND TRUST

What do hedgehogs eat, and how to feed them?

Evidence suggests this decline is most severe in rural areas and hedgehogs are actually faring better in our towns and villages than the countryside. This means gardens can be an important refuge for the species. One way you can help any visiting hogs is to provide some food. But what do hedgehogs eat and what should you feed them?

FOOD FIT FOR A HEDGEHOG

Insects and other invertebrates are the hedgehog’s main natural food source. A typical diet includes:

  • Beetles
  • Earwigs
  • Caterpillars
  • Earthworms
  • Millipedes
  • Fly larvae

What to feed hedgehogs?

As opportunistic eaters, hedgehogs will readily consume food left out in your garden. The best foods to provide are:

  • Meat-based cat or dog food
  • Specially-made hedgehog food
  • Cat biscuits

As well as providing food, you can put out a shallow dish of water to ensure any visiting hogs stay hydrated.

What not to feed hedgehogs

The following foods should be avoided when feeding hedgehogs:

  • Bread and milk (hogs are lactose intolerant so milk can make them ill. Bread has little nutritional value)
  • Mealworms (thought to cause health problems when eaten in large quantities)

Read the full blog at THE WOODLAND TRUST

Workshop Creativity

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT A CUTE GNOME – EASY TUTORIAL!

GNOMES ARE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Join me for this easy needle felted gnome craft project. Felt alongside me and create this beautiful gnome in a hoop, which is so much fun to make and beyond cute. It is such a simple needle felting project, made easy by my step by step needle felting tips and techniques. I will also show you how to make the easiest needle felted hearts, without a cookie cutter! You can adapt it to your own style, using whatever felting wool you have to hand, keeping it simple or embellish the heck out of it. Materials list and video tutorial is below and it only takes around 90 minutes from start to finish, and imagine this as a beautiful homemade Valentine’s gift… 💜

MAKE TIME: 90 minutes

MATERIALS LIST

CREATE YOUR OWN DESIGNS

This gorgeous project could just as easily be made on a piece of felt (just as in the tutorial) and popped in a lovely frame. It would look so lovely as a cushion design, or sew the finished project onto a jacket or bag. The options are endless so don’t be afraid to experiment, and swap the colours to suit.

NEEDLE FELTED GNOME VIDEO TUTORIAL

HOW TO USE WIRE FOR NEEDLE FELTING?

DO I EVEN NEED TO USE WIRE FOR NEEDLE FELTING?

I am often asked how to use wire for needle felting, and is it even needed? The short answer is no. In fact I rarely use a full wire armature because I like a firm felt. However, using wire in specific areas can really help you create the shape you need, and create more detail and dimension.

WHEN SHOULD I USE WIRE FOR NEEDLE FELTING?

Use it in the neck of a sheep so you can pose the head, or the horns and tail of an animal to create great shapes. If you want super thin legs or arms then wire is a great solution. Alternatively, make limbs around a BBQ skewer (the ‘farmers friend’ of needle felting), to create smooth legs and perfect symmetry in super fast time. Using the BBQ skewer as a tool negates the need for using wire altogether for many projects.

USING A BBQ SKEWER WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU NEEDLE FELT!

Parsley, the needle felted hare seen below has no wire anywhere. This gorgeous needle felting project was made, almost entirely, using a wooden BBQ skewer. I started using this method back in 2017 and it has made teaching needle felting, and creating projects, so much easier!

CLICK HERE FOR

PARSLEY HARE NEEDLE FELTING KIT or PATTERN DOWNLOAD AND PRINTABLE

Watch the video tutorial, at the bottom of the post, from our Friday night felt along on the FACEBOOK GROUP, or follow the mini tutorial below, and you will be amazed at how professional the finished result is, even if you have never needle felted before!

Happy Felting!

HOW TO NEEDLE FELT FIRM LEGS WITHOUT WIRE – QUICK AND EASY TUTORIAL

Scroll to bottom of the post for the video tutorial.

Make Time: Super fast! Approximately 20 minutes for both legs plus faffing time…

You will need:

The needle felting kit and pattern are available via the links below and you can join the new FACEBOOK GROUP HERE

LOOK, NO WIRE? Making Perfect Legs Around A Wooden BBQ Skewer

As I mentioned, if string is a ‘farmers friend’ then a wooden BBQ skewer is most definitely a ‘felters friend’. Never be without one as it will change the way you needle felt, drastically reducing the chore of hours spent smoothing and shaping.

This is super easy, but technique is important and you may have a couple of false starts as the legs need to be kept tight and narrow, but that’s ok. Just unravel and start again. When finished they will be firm and smooth and the last couple of centimetres will be built up for the feet/paws. TOP TIP: Remember to keep the top of the legs very loose as they will be attached to the body and should look like they are part of the finished project, not just stuck on.

Let’s get going!

1 Select a length of carded wool or wool top/roving and split down the middle. This means that both legs will use equal amounts of wool and sizes will be more or less the same.

2 Start to wrap the wool tightly around the skewer, starting close to the top of the stick. TOP TIP: Keep the wool flat between your thumb and finger so the wool doesn’t twist and become lumpy and uneven.

3 Keeping the wool tight, continue for a little way then stop and felt around the entire area to secure. TOP TIP: Work at a diagonal angle around the sides of the stick keeping hold of the wool so it doesn’t become loose. If it does, unwrap and start again. This will also avoid bending or breaking the needle.

4 Continue with the process until the leg is approximately two thirds of its final length (you will see why when you remove it from the skewer) and add more wool to the foot to widen it. Continue to felt and shape the foot until it is firm. TOP TIP: A foot/paw that is significantly bigger than the rest of the leg will have more impact when your project is finished.

5 Remove from the stick and felt a little more but avoid the top of the leg as this needs to be kept loose for attaching to the body. TO TIP: Don’t worry if the shape is not perfect as you are going to fix that in a moment.

6 You are now going to roll the leg firmly in your hands to firm and smooth it, which will also lengthen it. When you do this keep the top of the leg sticking out, so the wool remains loose. In just a few seconds of firm rolling you will see how the leg has really firmed up and become even smoother without the need for any wires. TOP TIP: Don’t over roll it as it will become longer than needed.

Here’s what some of the fabulous Facebook group made during the live workshop! It’s a great technique that can be adapted to almost any project. Join the group HERE and come along to the free live events.

I was blown away by the quality, personality and individual styles of the projects from the FACEBOOK GROUP members and the amazing feedback has been so good!

VIDEO TUTORIAL – Felt along with me!

Watch the full tutorial and felt alongside me, workshop style.

Join The Needle Felting Group And Watch Free Live Workshops

THE FELT HUB FACEBOOK GROUP IS NOW OPEN!

It’s completely free and when you join the needle felting and free workshops group you will benefit from exclusive access to my free live workshops, all in one place, including all previous workshops. I hope this group will inspire and develop your needle felting confidence (whatever level you are at) and encourage others to get involved, in a more private space. You will also be able to comment and share your WIP creations during and after the live workshops and ask for help and support from myself or other members. 

Join The Needle Felting Group And Watch Free Live Workshops

Plus so much more! Whilst the group will be primarily for live workshops events and updates, I will also be dropping in with some impromptu live sessions sharing needle felting techniques, quick wins and ideas. You can also drop into the group anytime to access all the tutorials in one place as each will be available to view after the event. It’s pretty busy in there some come meet the flock and put the next live workshop date in your diary.

P.S Click below to join. It’s completely free and a great way to enjoy some creative community in a more private space! Let’s start 2022 as we mean to go on? Creatively! 💗

WHAT IS NEEDLE FELTING?

Apart from being the most joyful craft ever invented, needle felting is utterly versatile and allows you to create the most simple or complex sculptures with handful of loose wool and a barbed* needle. This is simply done by stabbing the wool repeatedly with the felting needle, shaping until it meshes the wool fibers together creating a firm object.

*They actually have notches but most sites describe them as barbed so that is what I will refer to them as… I will discuss needle sizes and their uses on another page.

CREATE PERFECT PETALS AND EASY NEEDLE FELTED FLOWERS IN NO TIME AT ALL!

The Origin of Needle Felting: Felt is strong and its origins go back to the 1950’s when  industrial size felting machines were invented to produce on a much larger scale for many items such as: car and instrument dampers, piano keys, insulation, polishers etc. However, needle felting as a craft is hugely popular and the craft world has been taken by storm by this addictive way to express ourselves creatively.

IS NEEDLE FELTING FOR ME?

Do you want to try a wonderfully addictive craft that has no limits, perfect for absolute beginners and beyond? Are you a first time crafter who’s really nervous of trying something new, but yearning to unlock your creativity and be inspired?

Do you enjoy a laid-back approach to crafts and are you looking for an affordable, no fuss, no sew craft or, craving creative ‘me’ time away from the noise and stresses of daily life?

If your answer was yes to any of the above then needle felting is for you. All you really need is enthusiasm!

DON’T FORGET TO JOIN THE FELT HUB ON FACEBOOK

Become part of the creative community and enjoy free live needle felting workshops!

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!

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!

Improve Your Needle Felting Techniques

Parsley hare is one of my favourite hare designs and, with a touch of whimsy and a dash of folk art, you can’t fail to be charmed by him. This is such a great project that is perfect if you want to build on your existing needle felting skills. It’s a project that requires some previous experience of needle felting and assumes you have completed at least two beginners needle felting projects.

The ‘Magic’ Tool

Everything is made around a wooden skewer (apart from the ears) and is the tool that no self respecting needle felter should be without. If you haven’t used one before it is a complete needle felting revelation and you will wonder how you ever managed without one. It is also a great way to make perfect needle felted balls and acorn shapes in just three minutes.

Banish Saggy Legs Forever

Using the wooden BBQ skewer negates the need for using wire but still ensures that you have really firm body parts.

Create A Perfect Finish

Using this technique also allows you to get great symmetry, with ease, and a beautifully smooth finish. You can also create a perfectly shaped head every time, no lumps or bumps.

The Wool

Use a good coarse wool top or, as I have done with mine, use carded wool in long lengths.

Materials List:

  • Coarse brown wool top or long carded lengths
  • White accent wool
  • 1 Felting needle – size 38 is a good all rounder
  • 1 Wooden skewer
  • 2 Beads for eyes
  • Lace ruffle
  • Felting mat

The needle felting kit, wool and accessories can be found on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts WEBSITE and the kit comes with everything you need including the lovely antique style ruffle.

Video Tutorials

Below are five step by step, easy to follow video tutorials. If you prefer to work with written instructions the pattern is also available for instant download HERE

Happy Felting!

Video Introduction

 

Video 1 – Body And Head

Video 2 – Legs

Video 3 – Ears

Video 4 – Putting It Together

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

How to make a needle felted cactus

Hi crafters and felters

Create this needle felted cactus in a terracotta pot or tea cup; the perfect place to store your felting needles or to use as a pin cushion.

A fabulous , prickly project which involves several needle felting techniques including a soft sculpture base, using a wooden skewer to create perfect shapes, and letting your creativity run wild with the vibrant  flowers the cacti produce. Adding the spikes is a soothing and therapeutic process in which they can be added randomly or, if you love a bit of symmetry, placed in straight lines down each cactus arm.

The light blue/green cactus is based on my favourite cactus, the PILOSOCEREUS

As always, I spend a lot of time during the design process, creating projects I know you will love whilst carefully choosing the wool and fibres to suit the finished piece.

You will Need:

  • Core wool
  • White and green carded wool or wool tops
  • Wool tops for flowers, various colours
  • White wool top for spikes
  • Pot or cup to stand it in
  • 1 x wooden BBQ skewer or similar

Cactus needle felting kit can be purchased HERE or download the pattern HERE

Make sure you follow my  FACEBOOK PAGE so you don’t miss the live workshop updates.

Don’t worry if you haven’t got Facebook as my video tutorials are also available on my YouTube channel

It also makes a great felting needle holder or pin cushion.

It also makes a great felting needle holder or pin cushion

Easy Needle Felted Picture! Learn To Paint With Wool

PAINTING WITH WOOL SEASCAPE

Scroll down for video tutorial.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to join the Felt Club so you don’t miss any new tutorials.

Make time: 90 minutes

Skill level: Easy

Video Tutorial: Scroll down to follow my step by step video tutorial

If you already have the wool then you can watch the video below.
North Sea Coast is inspired by my Yorkshire upbringing, not far from the coast, and my dear dad with his roots along the Humber. Those of you familiar with the North Sea Coast will know not to expect golden sands and palm trees. The North Sea is moody and has real attitude which is what I have tried to convey in this project; slightly abstract and full of texture! However, this is just my take on it so feel free to add artistic license, and a palm tree or two, if that’s the vibe you want. There’s no rules and it’s your project, not mine, so just go for it!

If you don’t have any wool, fibres or needles you can SHOP HERE on the website for them.

WHAT’S IN YOUUR NEEDLE FELTING KIT?

A complete wool pack with all the wool, silk fibres, plant dyed art yarn and embellishments you see in the photographs, as well as a piece of Shetland pure wool felt which will be the base of your picture. This also includes a downloadable and printable pattern.
The accompanying video is also available so if you are a complete beginner, or don’t need any wool or fibres, you can felt along with me.  

WHAT IS THE PICTURE SIZE?

It really doesn’t matter. I have used a piece of Shetland pre-felt approximately 25cm x 25cm but have also used a much smaller piece to pop in a frame. I can also see this on the front of a greetings card to sell or just give to the besties in your life. Any piece of flat felt will work as a canvas for your picture, just make sure it has a good amount of wool in it and isn’t just acrylic felt.

SUBSCRIBE BELOW to join the Felt Club on Facebook

Happy Felting!

WATCH VIDEO AND FELT ALONG WITH ME