What Is Needle Felting And Why It’s So Easy!

You don’t have to sew, knit, follow a pattern or even be creative. Enthusiasm is all you need!

No sewing, no wires, no glue… honestly and, if like me you enjoy a more laid back approach to arts and crafts then read on.

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Apart from being the most joyful craft ever invented, needle felting is utterly versatile. It also 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.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIALS

I have a fabulous YouTube channel called The Felt Hub that will make all your needle felting dreams come true. Needle felt alongside me, workshop style and unlock your creativity!

HOW DID NEEDLE FELTING START?

Needle felted fabric is very strong and its origins go back to the 1950’s when  industrial size felting machines were invented to produce on a much larger scale. It was most commonly used for items such as: car and instrument dampers, piano keys, insulation, polishers etc.

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The introduction of hand needle felting sometime back in the 70’s/80’s and a little nudge from Kirsty Allsopp has given felting a thoroughly modern makeover. This has now taken the crafting world by storm in the last few years.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WET FELTING AND NEEDLE FELTING?

Needle felting is a completely different process to the ancient craft of wet felting. It’s much less messy, and you only need a small area to work on. It’s also a really budget friendly craft as you need very little to get started. Just wool, a felting mat and felting needle, or NEEDLE FELTING KIT, will soon get you started. You will find lots of brilliant and easy to digest tutorials, right her. From wool type, accessories and my own recommendations. All based on the needle felting knowledge I have learned since 2013! In contrast, wet felting is combining wool fibres using water soap and an awful lot of agitation (the rubbing kind; not the ‘grrrr’ kind…) and, although I love wet felting, I can be a very messy worker.

DO I HAVE TO BE GOOD AT CRAFTS TO START NEEDLE FELTING?

Needle felting is ideal for even the most nervous beginners! With needle felting the possibilities are endless and there really isn’t anything you can’t turn into a needle felted sculpture, whether it be life-size or a teeny, tiny miniature.

All you need is enthusiasm, a little time and, of course, cake and a cuppa!

Needle felting essentials: tea, cake and enthusiasm!

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enthusiasm

3 thoughts on “What Is Needle Felting And Why It’s So Easy!

  1. Lorraine Lowes

    I never knew needle felting existed until today and I’m really eager to learn this awesome craft as i am now retired and have plenty time on my hands. Such beautiful art work to work with by your own hands is something to be admired and I would love any tips and ideas on how to get me started.

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