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    Felting Resources

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    Welcome to the world of felting, a timeless craft that brings together creativity, texture, and the joy of working with natural fibers. Whether you’re a seasoned fiber artist or a curious beginner, wet and needle felting offers endless possibilities for creating beautiful and unique pieces.

    Wet felting and needle felting are two distinct techniques used to transform wool fibers into solid, sculptural objects or flat textile surfaces. Wet felting involves agitating and manipulating wool fibers in warm water with soap, causing the fibers to interlock and create a cohesive fabric. Needle felting, on the other hand, employs special barbed needles to repeatedly puncture and mesh the wool fibers together, forming shapes and adding intricate details. Each technique offers its own unique possibilities for artistic expression.

    To embark on your felting journey, you’ll need a selection of essential tools and materials.

    Wool fibers

    The heart and soul of felting, wool roving is available in a vast array of colors and textures. It’s crucial to choose high-quality roving made from natural animal fibers, such as sheep or alpaca, as they have excellent felting properties.

    Felting Fibers

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    Wet felting

    Wet felting is a technique used to transform loose wool fibers into a cohesive and solid fabric or three-dimensional object. It is a process that involves agitating and matting the fibers together using warm water, soap, and pressure. Wet felting has been practiced for centuries and is known for its simplicity and versatility.

    Wet felting materials

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    Needle felting

    Needle felting is a technique that involves using a special barbed needle to sculpt and shape wool fibers into three-dimensional objects or add intricate details to flat surfaces. It is a versatile and accessible form of felting that allows for precise control and artistic expression.

    Felting needles

    These specialized needles have barbs along their length, allowing them to catch and bind the wool fibers together. Felting needles come in different sizes and gauges, catering to various felting techniques and desired effects.

    Felting needle gauges and when to use them

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    • 40-gauge triangle point used when felting with fine wools like merino.
    • 38-gauge star point is used when felting with fine wools like Merino when you need more fiber to pull through.
    • 38-gauge triangle point. This is an all-purpose size option. It’s great when you are working with a variety of wool weights and want a universal needle.
    • 36-gauge triangle point is used when felting with coarse fibers like Romney or Lincoln.

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    Needle felting tools

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    Additional materials

    Wet felting is a messy project. There is water and soap involved and this can get everywhere. You will also be working with your hands in the water for extended periods of time. Consider wearing rubber dishwashing gloves to prevent your hands from becoming pruned or causing your hands to dry and crack.

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    Dyeing your fiber

    If you are looking for a specific color of wool and you are unable to find it from a retailer you can purchase undyed fiber and dye your own. Find more info on how to dye from our library of dyeing tutorials.

    A basic dye to start with is Rit dye.

    If you want to dye your fiber…

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