What Are Felting Needles And How To Use Them?

Quick Guide To Felting Needles

Felting needles are used for all needle felting projects, allowing you to transform loose wool fibers into simple 3 dimensional and 2 dimensional sculptures and pictures. Once you have learned the basics of needle felting you can create more intricate designs and sculptural forms. If you’re new to the world of needle felting this quick guide will walk you through the basics and how to use them effectively. For a more detailed guide read my Complete Guide To Felting Needles.

Now get ready to unlock your creativity and embark on a felting adventure! You will also find lots of useful links at the bottom of this post.

Understanding Felting Needle Sizes

Felting needles are specialized tools designed with barbed tips, which help interlock and compress the wool fibers, creating a firm and cohesive structure. They come in various sizes, usually categorized by gauge or thickness. The most common gauges are 36, 38, and 40, with lower numbers indicating thicker needles, and higher numbers indicating finer needles.

Image shows the shape and size of a felting needle

What Felting Needle Should I Start With?

Image shows text explaining what the most commonly used felting needles are

Keeping it simple is always best if you’re new to needle felting felting, and I recommend starting with a medium-sized needle. The 38 gauge is my favourite as it is a good all rounder, providing a balance between versatility and ease of use, and completes most projects from start to finish. In fact it is my go to needle for starting almost all of my needle felting projects. You may also want to have a finer needle (although not necessary when starting out) such as a size 40, for finishing touches and surface details, which will reduce visible needle marks.

Once you have a good grasp of needle felting basics you can experiment with different needle sizes to find what works best for your specific project, and personal preference. Keep in mind that some suppliers refer to them as small, medium, and large, so it’s helpful to refer to the specific gauge or needle size mentioned on the packaging or product descriptions when making your selection. I always use needles that are numbered, such as Groz Beckert felting needles, which are the best quality in the industry.

What If I Have Needles And Don’t Know The Size?

Here is my quick test to determine the size of your felting needles:

1 If your needle tip is super bendy, it will be a fine needle – probably 40 gauge – used for finishing touches and finer details; it will break easily. This needle is sometimes referred to as ‘small’.

2 If there is a slight bend at the tip but with resistance, this is usually a size 38, my favourite, and a good all-rounder; it completes most projects from start to finish. This needle is sometimes referred to as ‘medium’.

3 If it is really firm with little to no bend then it will likely be a 36 gauge which is used for starting projects and flat felting. This needle is sometimes referred to as ‘large’.

Felting Needle Holders

Whether you are using a single needle, or multiple needles at the same time, a felting needle holder can speed up the felting process significantly, as well as making needle felting for long period more comfortable. The handles are also really useful if you have any dexterity problems, allowing you to needle felt for longer. You can find out more about needle holders, and their best uses, on my Ultimate Guide To Felting Needles.

Reverse Felting needles

Reverse felting needles can add imaginative, clever and realistic effects to your projects by puling the, already felted wool back out; the barbs run in a different direction to a standard felting needle Once you have gained some needle felting confidence I would highly recommend adding one of these to your craft stash. This blog post tells you all you need to know about reverse felting needles.

Basic Needle Felting Techniques

Preparing Your Workspace:

Set up a clean and well-lit area to work in. You will need a felting mat (foam, hessian, or wool) to work on which will protect your felting needles and your work surface, as well as making it much easier to create your shapes.

Materials

Are You Brand New To Needle Felting

If you are just starting needle felting the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts website has everything you need; from complete starter kits to tools, wool, accessories, and gifts.

How To Create A Simple Shape

1 Start by forming a basic shape, with your hands, using your chosen wool. For example, if you’re making a needle felted animal, begin with a core shape resembling the animal’s body, head, legs etc. Use your hands to shape and compact the fibers and make sure the shape is firm before you start using your felting needle.

2 Always use your felting needle in a straight line and never bend, or twist it as it likely to break.

3 Hold the shape you have created with your non felting needle hand and push the felting needle vertically into your wool with your other hand. Gently push and pull the needle in and out of the wool, avoiding bending or twisting the needle. The barbs on the needle will tangle and compact the fibers together as you work. Gradually speed up as you become used to using the needle.

Building Layers and Detailing

4 Continue adding more fibers and felting them into the base shape. Gradually build up layers and define the desired features of your project. Use finer gauge needles (higher numbers) for adding details and finishing touches.

5 Experiment with different angles of the needle to achieve the desired effects. Inserting the needle straight down will compact the fibers, while angling it will help blend colors or smooth surfaces.

Needle Felting Safety Tips

While felting needles are generally safe to use, it’s essential to keep a few precautions in mind:

  • Work slowly and mindfully, focusing on your work without distractions such as the TV
  • Keep your fingers well away from the needle’s to avoid accidental pricks
  • Use finger guards
  • Store needles safely, preferably in a container or pop in your felting mat when not in use

In A Nutshell

Felting needles are powerful tools that allow you to bring your artistic visions to life. With the basic techniques outlined in this guide, you’re now equipped to start your felting journey. Remember to practice, be patient, and let your creativity flow. Whether you’re creating cute animals, unique jewelry, or decorative objects, felting needles will help you achieve stunning results. So, dive into the world of felting and unleash your imagination!

So What’s Next?

Now you have learnt the basics you are ready to enter a whole new world of creative possibilities, and this blog is full of free tutorials, patterns and video tutorials to keep the creative juices flowing. From complete beginners to something more challenging, there is a project for everyone. Use the easy to navigate menus as your guide, join the free VIP newsletter, or join our creative Facebook community.

Image shows a needle felted pig and hedgehog. Text reads, "why reverse felting needles are so cool".

What Felting Needles Do I Need? Easy Guide

No more confusion?

It’s the one thing that gets us needle felters confused when we first start this fabulous craft. A gauge for this, a star or triangle for that. What’ s the difference between a size 32 and size 38, and what on earth do I do with this reverse needle felting needle I bought? Well stop tearing your hair out because I am going to give you the short version, and what I like to use as my own personal preferences. I will also tell you about the felting needle tools I couldn’t live without!

WHAT DO THE SIZES MEAN?

In short, needle sizes work like this: The higher the number, the finer the needle, and needle sizes range from as low as 19 up to 42. You will hear them referred to as:

  • Triangular: 3 sides 
  • Star: 4 sides 
  • Reverse needle
  • Twisted needle

WHAT FELTING NEEDLES SHOULD I START WITH?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked, along with “What wool should I use?”, and it can be confusing when you first start needle felting. I prefer the simple approach and advise just one, or two sizes to start with. The 38 star is a good all rounder, and a 40 triangle for finishing your work; more details on those below. Once you are more confident with your needle felting you can start to introduce others into your felting stash.

The 38 star is my favourite as it will complete most needle felting projects from start to finish. TOP TIP! Always have a spare felting needle in case one breaks as you can’t just nip to the Co-op for a new one.

HOW DO FELTING NEEDLES WORK?

Wool is full of tiny scales that run up and down its length, and they just love to tangle together with each other. Felting needles have tiny barbs which allow you to do this ‘tangling’ by hand, whilst creating almost any shape and detail you can imagine.

HAVE YOU JUST STARTED NEEDLE FELTING?

All the needles, tools, and starter kits discussed on this post are available on the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts Website and Etsy Shop.

GOOD ALL ROUNDERS – SIZE 38 AND 36

Suitable for most needle felting projects, and less prone to breakage

A 38 or a 36 star (or triangle) can be used to start, shape, and build up any three dimensional needle felting project, or flat felted picture. I use 38 star needles (I like the four sides for faster felting) all the time, and they are the ones I also use in many of my needle felting kits. A 38 star felting needle will complete most projects from start to finish; a 36 gauge is too robust for finer details.

TOP TIP! Reduce needle marks by inserting your needle diagonally when finishing/smoothing the top layer. Rolling the body part in your hands (before attaching) is the fastest and most efficient way of smoothing your piece; your hands are just as important a tool as your needle!

WHAT TO USE FORBFINER DETAILS?

40 triangle is ideal for much finer detail: Bends more easily so don’t be heavy handed with it.

I use this when I am finishing delicate eye and nose detail. Especially if the head is quite soft and I don’t want to distort the lovely shape I have made. It is also great for reducing needle marks on the top layer. You will notice that this needle is thinner, bends more easily than the 36/38 and is much more prone to breakage if bent too much. TOP TIP! Be careful when using it around a wire armature to avoid breakage

REVERSE FELTING NEEDLE

Barbs go in the opposite direction and pull the felted wool back out. There is also a great blog post dedicated to this fabulous needle felting tool

It took me a while to get used to this one, but now I wouldn’t be without it, and I just love subtle effect it gives to, an otherwise, smooth finish. It all depends what wool you are using but I used mine recently to rough up the top of my moon gazing hares head to add character and dimension. I think it worked really well… The wool is natural Grey Jacob and you will find it in a lot of my kits; one of my favourite wool’s to needle felt with. I also include it in my Flamingo needle felting kit to ‘fluff’ up the body and base of the neck. Also great for use on 3D cats and dogs, perfect for hedgehog spikes, and adding detail and dimension to my fox head.

TWISTED FELTING NEEDLE

The first barb on a twisted needle is slightly closer to the tip of the needle than the 38 and 40 triangular, reducing the penetration required to start tangling the fibres together. It is just personal preference but if you are just starting needle felting I would recommend starting with a 38 star and 40 felting needle; you can try other sizes once the needle felting addiction has taken hold…

WHAT ARE MY FAVOURITE NEEDLE FELTING TOOLS?

None of the following are necessary but I use them all the time for certain projects and they really help speed up the felting process. Especially useful if you are now a needle felting addict (you know who you are…) and unofficial member of the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts NFA group, ‘Needle Felters Anonymous’. Hmm, I’m thinking T-shirts and badges…

WOODEN NEEDLE HOLDER – UP TO 3 NEEDLES

Can be bought with 3 or 4 needle holes, uses standard needles (supplied) and needles are removable and interchangeable.

My preference is the 3 needle holder (using 38 or 40 triangular or star) as it can be used for starting off your 3D shapes quickly, as well as being used for flat felting e.g. big bunny or hare ears. Top tip: If flat felting, try starting with a coarser gauge needle, such as a size 36, which will speed up the process.

NEEDLE FELTING PEN

Does pretty much the same as the wooden needle holder (above) but also works really well on wool batts and the hessian felting mats filled with rice. Save money: You will see these in pink (Clover tool) and blue. The blue is half the price of the pink and the difference…one is from Hong Kong and one is from China?

MULTI TOOL/PUNCH TOOL – Use for fast flat felting

Bring on the big guns! 7 needles (replaceable and interchangeable) with retractable guard. I can’t tell you how much I use this for flat felting ears, brooches, legs (before they are rolled and shaped), pictures etc. I use this one on my hessian felting mat (it doesn’t work as well on bouncy foam), and it powers through ears, wings, legs, gnome hats, poppy/flower petals, and pictures at a rate of knots! TOP TIP! Ideal for teaching the kids because of the locking, retractable guard and much less prone to breakage.

FELTING NEEDLE HOLDER

This is very useful if your fingers are sensitive to the thin top of the felting needle, you have dexterity problems, or you are felting for long periods.

SAFETY! Needles are sharp and I always advise using a finger guard when starting, especially for work where your fingers need to be close to the needle. On the plus side, it doesn’t hurt for long 😉

HESSIAN MAT FILLED WITH RICE

I use it for all of the above as well as my foam. I make my own Hessian felting mats and they are available in the shop; just add 2/3lbs of Basmati organic, free range rice…just kidding, any rice will do.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NEEDLE FELTING?

Here are some useful guides and tutorials:

Happy creating and please watch those fingers, not Netflix, as it hurts!

Est. 2013
© 2013 Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts

Guide To Felting Needles

It’s the one thing that gets us all really confused. A gauge for this, a spiral star or triangle for that. What’ s the difference between a size 32 and size 38 and what on earth do I do with this reverse needle felting needle I bought???

Well, stop tearing your hair out because I am going to give you the short version and what I like to use, as my own personal preferences. I will also tell you about the felting needle tools I couldn’t live without!

In short, needle sizes work like this: The higher the number, the finer the needle and needle sizes range from as low as 19 up to 42. You will hear them referred to as triangular: 3 sides Star: 4 sides and, new kid on the block, the spiral needle.

I won’t bore you with a size guide and their numerous uses  as you can find them all over the internet and they are very useful if you are having trouble sleeping…

All comments welcome on what your own preferences are.

All the needles and accessories discussed are available on the Website and Etsy

WHAT DO I LIKE TO USE?

38 and 36 star for basic shapes: Good all rounders and less prone to breakage.

38 or a 36 star and both can be used to create and finish your basic 3D needle felted project. I use 38 star needles (I like the four sides for faster felting) all the time so naturally, they are the ones I also use in my kits. However, it is down to personal preference and a 36 is just as good although a little too heavy, for my liking, on the finer finishing and facial details.

Top tip: Reduce needle marks by inserting your needle diagonally when finishing/smoothing the top layer. Rolling the body part in your hands (before attaching) is the fastest and most efficient way of smoothing your piece; your hands are just as important a tool as your needle!

Felting Needles And Accessories

Website

Etsy

IMG_9337
38 star needle for basic shapes

40 triangle is ideal for much finer detail: Bends more easily so don’t be heavy handed with it.

I use this when I am finishing delicate eye and nose detail. Especially if the head is quite soft and I don’t want to distort the lovely shape I have made. It is also great for reducing needle marks on the top layer. You will notice that this needle is thinner, bends more easily than the 36/38 and is much more prone to breakage if bent too much. Top tip: Be careful when using it around a wire armature to avoid breakage

 

 

Reverse felting needle: Barbs go in the opposite direction and pull the felted wool back out

It took me a while to get used to this one as I was expecting something more dramatic. However, now I have used it for a while I just love subtle effect it gives to, an otherwise, smooth finish. It all depends what wool you are using but I used mine recently to rough up the top of my moon gazing hares head to add character and dimension. I think it worked really well… The wool is natural Grey Jacob and you will find it in a lot of my kits; one of my favourite wool’s to needle felt with. I also include it in my Flamingo needle felting kit to ‘fluff’ up the body and base of the neck. Also great for use on 3D cats and dogs.

IMG_2580.JPG
Reverse felting needle used for top of the head

IMG_2906.JPG
See how the wool at the base of the neck has been pulled back out…

New kid on the block is the ‘spiral needle’

Not much to say on this one. I have tried this needle a few times but, to be honest, end up going back to my 38 or 40 triangle for fine surface detail. It is just personal preference but I really didn’t notice the difference? Probably best for top coat finishing as it is less likely to show needle marks due to it’s ‘twisted’ needle but, I find I get the same result going in diagonally with a 40 triangular. However, I have only tried one size so I guess it is just down to personal preference.

My favourite tools

None of the following are necessary but I use them all the time for certain projects and they really help speed up the felting process. Especially useful if you are now a needle felting addict (you know who you are…) and unofficial member of the Lincolnshire Fenn Crafts NFA group, ‘Needle Felters Anonymous’. Hmm, I’m thinking T-shirts and badges…

Wooden needle holder (Tulip holder): Can be bought with 3 or 4 needle holes, uses standard needles (supplied) and needles are removable and interchangeable.

My preference is the 3 needle holder (using 38 or 40 triangular or star) because it can be used for starting off your 3D shapes quickly as well as being used for flat felting e.g. big bunny or hare ears. Top tip: If flat felting using a coarser needle such as a 36 or 34 will speed up the process.

 

 

Felting Pen

Does pretty much the same as the wooden needle holder (above) but also works really well on wool batts and the rice bag felting mats. Save money: You will see these in pink (Clover tool) and blue. The blue is half the price of the pink and the difference…one is from Hong Kong and one is from China?

 

 

Multi tool/punch tool

Bring on the big guns! 7 needles (replaceable and interchangeable) with retractable guard. I can’t tell you how much I use this for flat felting ears, brooches, legs (before they are rolled and shaped), pictures etc. I use this one on my felting rice mat, it doesn’t work as well on bouncy foam, and it powers through ears, wings, legs, gnome hats, poppy/flower petals, pictures at a rate of knots! Top tip: Ideal for teaching the kids because of the locking, retractable guard and much less prone to breakage. Save money: Same applies as for the felting pen above

 

 

 

 

Single needle holder

I rarely use mine but it is very useful if your fingers are sensitive to the thin top of the felting needle and you are felting for long periods.

 

 

Felting rice bag

I use it for all of the above as well as my foam. I make my own Hessian felting mats and they are available in the shop; just add 2/3lbs of Basmati organic, free range rice…just kidding, any rice will do.

Happy creating and please watch those fingers (not Netflix) as it hurts!

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