Wool felting is a very simple handcraft that does not require many tools. Basically, with just some wool, felting can be achieved by using a special needle, or by scrubbing with soap water, to create a wide variety of items. Ranging from hats, scarves, and shoes, to small lifelike animal ornaments, figure dolls, decorative items, and so on, the possibilities are endless.
The basic principle of needle felting is to use a special barbed needle to repeatedly poke the fluffy wool, allowing the wool lines to become tangled together and gradually form another shape. This process is called "felting." Through felting, we can use wool to create various 2D or 3D shapes. Often, needle felting does not require a lot of expensive tools. We only need some wool, special needles, and a working mat to begin. Of course, if you want to take it a step further and create more complex products, other tools are recommended.
Basic Idea of Felting Needles
Needle felting needles come in many sizes and type. For beginners, who don’t want to get overwhelmed, just remember felting needles can be broadly divided into three categories :Thick needles - felt faster and do not break easily but tend to leave visible holes on the product surface. They are generally used in the initial shaping stage and for joining.
Medium needles - are often used for further shaping and tightening work.
Thin needles - are used for final detailed work, refining small holes on the product's surface to make it smooth and neat.
Want to learn more about felting needle!!?? Check out "All you need to know about felting needles".