07 May What You Need to Know to Get Started with Needle Felting
We are so excited to be moving on to a new handicraft! We loved paper sloyd and cardboard sloyd, but looking back, we found that it limited our creativity. Now, as we get started with needle felting, we can literally feel the freedom to create bursting out of our minds and bodies! We are no longer limited to following specific instructions, and making specific models – we are now free to choose and to create whatever our hearts desire!
As a family, we chose needle felting as our next handicraft because it is a handicraft we’ve been working on for a couple of years, and my daughter has found joy in it. We were first introduced to needle felting by my twin nieces who are the same age as my daughter. We were vacationing with their family a couple of years ago, and they brought my daughter a needle felting kit. There at the beach, any chance they got, they needle felted together, showing my daughter all of the basics.
She caught on quickly and began to create the cutest, tiny little creatures.
As to be expected in our craft-loving family, Luci continued needle felting when we returned home. She was soon asking for more wool and more needles. Her little creatures were getting bigger and drastically more complicated and detailed. Her needle felting skills were improving dramatically, and I watched in awe as she created figures of our much-loved hamster, horses, foxes and many other creations.
What is Needle Felting?
Needle felting is a handicraft where you take loose wool and repeatedly stab the wool with a felting needle. Tiny barbs cover each needle. This serves to bind together the wool, creating a shape or figure. It’s a surprisingly simply handicraft that looks far more complicated and difficult than it actually is.
The Materials You’re Going to Need to Get Started with Needle Felting
The basics that you are going to need to get started with needle felting are needles, a felting mat, finger guards, and some wool. You are going to need many needles as they get dull quite quickly. Most often, in kits, they come in size small (40 gauge), size medium (38 gauge), and size large (36 gauge). The needles will insert into the handle, and you will be able to replace them as needed.
A felting mat is necessary so that you don’t poke and injure yourself or damage furniture. Many needle-felters like to put a covering over their felting mat so that it lasts longer. This is optional – you’ll notice that we use it both ways.
The finger guards are a good idea in the beginning, especially with inexperienced or younger children. As you get comfortable with the craft you may be more comfortable without them.
There are several different types of wool, coming from many different animals that you can use when needle felting. Some are fine, some are coarse. There are many different textures and colors. As we work through our needle felting series, we will learn more about this.
Below I’ve listed a few options for you to purchase. These are items that we bought and can recommend.
- Felting Wool (lots of options)
- More Felting Wool (50 colors)
- Felting Wool (72 pieces)
Happy Handicrafts Video: Get Started with Needle Felting
We’re going to start with needle felting as a handicraft next week. We have lots of ideas that we want to share with you, so get your supplies, and let’s get ready to start!
No Comments