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What is the Best Kind Of Wool Roving for Felting?

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Felting is a fantastic way to expand your artistic abilities and create great works around your home. Whether you are a beginner to felting or a pro, this needle felting wool guide to help you select the best wool roving for felting to use on your projects!

What Exactly Is Needle Felting?

So, for those of you new to needle felting what exactly is it? Well the definition is that it is the craft of sculpting a piece of wood using special “felting” needles that are barbed. Once you continually stab the wool for a long period of time, over and over again, the wool fibers begin to mesh together and create a new textile object. People use needle felting to create toys, crafts, puppets, and dolls- whatever comes to mind! What really attracts a lot of people to this kind of artistry is that it does not take a lot of space, and it is easy to learn. Once you master it, you will be able to create all types of art that can easily be placed around the house.

For a much more comprehensive background on the needle felting craft, read this: What Is Needle Felting?

The Four Stages of Processed Wool

So generally, wool can be bought in one of 4 stages of processing. It is under these categories that the various kinds of wool are housed. So, let’s go through them all so you have more of an idea.

Raw Fleece

This is the most bare-boned type of wool. It comes with all the dirt and lanolin of the wool because this is coming straight off the sheep’s back. This is the most organic and natural wool you can use for felting. However, you do need to process and clean it yourself, which can be a time-consuming endeavour. But many people do decide to use raw fleece as it is a satisfying experience, using something that is so natural.

Locks (Raw Fleece that is Clean)

This is just like the first type of processed wool, except that it already has been cleaned. All the dirt and lanolin will be cleaned off and these are some of the curliest locks that you can find for adding certain effects to your art project. These types of fleece have been washed but have yet to be combed and straightened, so you still are getting that natural sort of feeling that the raw fleece was delivering to you.

Roving Fleece

These are locks of raw fleece that have already been fully washed and combed, pushing all the fibers of the fleece in the same direction. This is some of the most used type of wool and the one that you usually would find in a store. These are also referred to as “Tops” as they come in really long lengths and are usually wrapped up in a ball. This is one that is primarily used for needle felting and since all the fibers are going in the same direction, they are a lot easier to use, especially when crafting something very specific.

Batts

The final type of wool that you can purchase has already been washed and carded. What makes Batts wool unique is that the fibers are all going in various directions, unlike the roving wool, and come in chunky sheets at the store. This type of wool is also used when needle felting as they are great for establishing a core shape. While not as popular as buying tops, batts are a great way to become fantastic at felting.

Selecting Wool Roving for Felting

When you are introduced to a new hobby, there are typically a few terms that you have to familiarize yourself with as part of the learning process. You are learning to use new tools, learning new techniques, and this can open up a fun, new world that you never knew existed before. Needle felting, sometimes called dry felting, is an easy-to-learn craft that is inexpensive and has almost limitless possibilities when it comes to potential creations.

A lot of artistic pursuits are quite expensive, but needle felting requires very few tools and the materials you work are reasonably priced, especially online. So basically, in addition to the desire, you need a few tools and you are ready to embark on a completely new artistic venture that allows you to create all sorts of three dimensional figures. Many choose to buy a basic kit when they start out needle felting, and while this often comes with all the tools and accessories you need to get started, it often doesn’t come with the material with which you will be crafting.

What follows is a guide on how to choose the right material for your project needs, as well as a brief review on three different sets of richly hued, high-quality wool fiber sets that are great starting points for material collections.

Things to Consider Before Selecting Wool

Wool is, well, not just a term that refers to one thing. It does, of course, refer to the fiber that is sheared from sheep, but it comes available at different stages of processing and production. These different types of wool are used for different purposes, but they are all included under the general umbrella of the term “wool.”

‘Tops’ and ‘Roving Wool’

For needle felting, you want what is called tops or roving wool. These terms are often interchangeable, meaning roughly the same thing, but in some places, these two terms are used for different lengths of fiber, so be sure that you are getting the right thing.

Roving wool is wool that has been washed and combed. The fibers are all combed in the same direction and are generally available in long lengths that have been rolled up into balls. These fibers can be dyed any desired hue to provide a rainbow of colors for your crafting projects.

Level of Processed-ness

It should also be noted how important it is that you ensure that the wool fiber you are getting is roving, otherwise you may end up with something that hasn’t been processed enough to be suitable for needle felting. There are different types of wool that come in basically raw form that have not been washed or combed. You want to avoid this unless you plan on processing your own roving wool.

Thickness

Some people use batting wool, but this is a bit trickier to work with, so isn’t necessarily suitable for those who are first starting out with needle felting. This is why so many people recommend roving wool for beginning felters who are looking to source quality wool for their projects.

Other Feltable Fibers

It should be noted that needle felting is possible using the fibers from other animals, such as alpaca hair, but this is a lot harder to come by and much more expensive than wool.

SOLEDI Fiber Wool Yarn Roving, Set of 36 Colors

SOLEDI is a trusted and reputable maker of a variety of different fiber-based art supplies, as well as tools and accessories, and much more. They have a wide range of different sets of roving wool available in a rainbow of colors that are high quality and perfectly suited for needle felting. The Fiber Wool Yarn Roving set is a set of 36 different vibrantly dyed roving wool pieces.

This is an incredible deal for quality roving wool, which has been expertly dyed and is ready for crafting use. The wool comes stored in re-sealable plastic pouches for easy storage, as well as to make it easier to choose your colors. Each bag contains roughly 3 grams of wool fiber.

Opount Set of 36 Colors Wool Roving Fiber Yarn Roving DIY Craft Materials

Opount is a high quality maker of a wide range of trinket items and art materials that are high quality and affordably priced. Their set of 36 different colors is a great starter set of roving wool material perfect for needle felting. This is a great value for the beginning crafter and gives you access to a rainbow of hues.

The set contains 36 unique colors in rich hues with color choices ranging from vivid bright tones to pastels, as well as earth tones. The variation in colors gives you a great range of wool for different projects. The wool is soft, pre-combed, and immediately ready for use. The roving wool is Merino wool, known for its quality and softness. There is approximately 3 grams of roving wool of each color included in the set.

Zealor Needle Felting Wool, Set of 45 Colors Wool Fiber Wool Yarn Roving for Needle Felting

Zealor is another trusted brand that is best known for their lines of different art and crafting supplies. They are known for making high-quality products that are affordably priced. Their Needle Felting Wool Set is an incredibly value; it is roving wool fiber that is perfectly suited for both needle felting as well as hand spinning your own thread.

The set includes 45 different, vibrantly dyed colors, making it a great choice for those who are looking for a wide selection as a nice starting point. There are 3 grams of each color included in the set, and they are each kept in their own packaging.

A Wooly Conclusion

When it comes to wool, as you can see, not all wool is created equal. For needle felting, you want to look for a high-quality roving wool, which is wool at the stage in processing where it has been washed and combed. This is the perfect type of wool for pretty much any needle felting project.

To get started, you want to look for a quality set of roving wool that is soft, pre-combed, and richly hued. Sets of roving wool, such as those we briefly review here, are a great starting point for needle felters who want the ability to customize and create a variety of projects.

Finding the Right Needle Felting Supplies

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Needle felting is a fun and creative pursuit that has seen a recent increase in popularity (read “What is Needle Felting?” If you want to know more general information about this craft). It is a simple craft to learn, but one that is hard to perfect, but the limits of what you can do with needle felting are almost endless. Using a barbed needle and wool fibers, you can create cute, gorgeous, or just interesting three-dimensional figures.

This is a great way to keep your hands busy or to spend and evening and, unlike a lot of other creative endeavors, it is an affordable hobby to take up. All that is required is the right needles, dyed wool fiber, and several other accessories that protect your fingers and make it easier to turn your ideas into reality. You can find great deals on all these supplies online, which means that you can have your new hobby delivered right to your door. You do, however, have to know the basics first so you know what you will need to obtain.

Things to consider when choosing needle felting supplies

There are a lot of choices when it comes to needle felting supplies and the internet makes finding them at great prices as simple as a few taps of the finger. However, the variety and sheer amount of options can be a bit daunting to the beginning needle crafter. Buying supplies for your new artistic hobby doesn’t have to be a headache-inducing experience, but it helps to know the basics and what to consider when looking for quality materials.

Should I Get a Needle Felting Kit?

First and foremost, you will want to decide whether you want to buy a needle felting kit that comes with pre-selected tools, or if you want to put the kit together yourself. There are benefits to going either way. The perks of going the kit route is that you take all the guesswork out of what you need. Every tool and accessory that is required for basic needle felting will be included in most kits. However, with a kit, you cannot individually choose each piece, so you may not get all the needles you want, or some of the tools may not be of the highest quality.

As a beginner, many people choose the convenience of a kit as a starting point and if they really take to the hobby, then start to buy sturdier, higher-quality pieces and needle felting pattern books separately.

Wool, Fiber and Needles- Oh My!

There are two main things needed for needle felting: wool fiber and a barbed or hooked needle. But it is oversimplifying to say that this is all that is needed to create three-dimensional works of felt art. There are more accessories and tools that are required, but these are the two parts of the hobby that you should pay the most attention to when it comes to choosing quality and well-made items.

A Little Extra Wool Never Hurt Anyone

Another tip is to always buy a little bit extra of the dyed wool fiber you intend to use for a project. It can be difficult to determine how much wool fiber you will need for a given project and most of us don’t consider the extra wool fiber we might need if we make a mistake. Having a little extra on hand helps to eliminate the frustration of coming up short on wool fiber in the middle of your project.

Great Needle Felting Supplies

Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool

The Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool is a top-of-the-line needle felting tool that is an incredible value. This is an adjustable tool that can hold needles of different lengths and sizes. The pen style handle makes it a lot easier to do intricate or controlled detail work without a lot of hassle. The pen can be used with one, two, or three needles, depending on what the project you are working on entails. This is an excellent all-purpose, easy-to-use, comfortable tool that makes needle felting even more accessible.

HeroNeo Estone 50COLOR Wool Fiber Needle Felting + Felting Needles Starter Kits Mat Tools

The Estone 50COLOR Wool Fiber Needle Felting + Felting Needles Starter kit is an excellent choice for the beginner who wants everything they need but don’t want to pick out every little piece of the set. This is a great deal, and includes everything you will need to get started on a whole variety of different needle felting projects.

The kit contains 50 pieces of different colored wool fibers, giving you a great start for a lot of different projects. It also includes a felting needle mat, as well as seven felting needles, leather finger cots, a felting tool, scissors, and an awl. All you will need to start crafting is a project and instructions.

Queenti Felting Craft Kit Set

The Queenti Felting Craft Kit Set is another quality option that is a slightly more basic kit than the one we described above. At its modest price, it is a great deal and includes the basic tools you will need for needle felting. Patterns, instructions, and wool fiber are not included in this set. It does contain nine needles, scissors, a foam pad, wooden handle, leather finger cots, an awl, and a glue stick, giving you all the tools you need to get started.

Are you still unsure about needle felting kits? Then read our guide on beginner needle felting kits!

Conclusion

With a few affordable supplies, you open the proverbial door to a whole new realm of creative pursuits. Wool fiber and a simple needle come together with creative expression and a bit of effort to create unique, one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional shapes and figures. It is easy to see why this hobby is growing in popularity, and you too can join in on this latest trend with ease.

Whether you buy a needle felting kit that has all the tools that you need included, or you piece together your own custom set, you just need a few basic tools to be on your way to needle felting all your ideas into reality. Here, we briefly reviewed a high-quality needle felting tool, as well as several inclusive kits that have all the tools that you will need to get started with needle felting. Once you have all the tools you need, you simply need to choose a pattern or design and obtain the right amount of colored wool fiber, and you’re ready to get crafting.

Needle Felting Supplies: Starter Kits

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Though technology continues to improve and change the very nature of our daily lives, hands-on crafts are still an attractive past time and many people still like to have a creative hobby or pursuit for their free time. One of the more recent types of crafting is needle felting. It wasn’t until the 1980s that needle felting was even a widely known creative pursuit.

Needle felting is unlike any other type of crafting. It is interesting to think about the evolution of this art form. The idea was hatched when someone realized that wool fibers could be woven together and literally stabbed into 3-dimensional works of art, and the creative possibilities are endless. The needle was a hooked needle from a felting machine, and the fibers were stabbed together to create tightly wound bunches of material that could be formed into very intricate shapes using the same needle.

Shopping Online vs In Store

As this is an art form that is just beginning to grow in popularity among crafting circles, it is can be difficult to find the supplies you need for a project like this. It is not as simple as going to the local craft store and buying a needle felting kit, though this is what you can do online. If you go to a craft store, you will likely find felting needles, but they are not likely to be the hooked or barbed needle that you need for what is sometimes called dry felting.

You may even find wool fibers that can be used in needle felting, but many brick and mortar stores charge a hefty premium and you can often find better deals and more variety on the internet.

Needle felting is a very open and broad way to make art. What is possible is limited only by your imagination. One of the great things about this hobby is that kits and materials are quite inexpensive online, making this one of the more affordable creative endeavors. There are several things you want to take into consideration when choosing the right kit for you.

What Supplies Do You Need?

Technically speaking, all you need to start needle felting is roving wool and felting needles. BUT! If you only buy wool and needles, you will learn quickly that a few inexpensive supplies can make your crafting much faster and more enjoyable!

Needles and Felting Handle

As I said before, it’s pretty obvious that you need needles to needle felt wool, but having a handle to hold your needles while you felt is so much easier on the hand. Definitely, if a handle is not included in the needle felting tool kit you buy, put one on your shopping list!

Foam Block

You will want a work space to felt on. Many sets include a foam block as a felting surface, but you can use a number of DIY options, such as a piece of Styrofoam or a large sponge, if your set of supplies does not include one.

Finger Guards

While it’s not a requirement, many kits include a set of leather finger guards or ‘cots’ to protect those fingertips from needle pricks. They aren’t required, so it’s not exactly a deal breaker for me, but if you’re susceptible to poking yourself, make sure you have a pair.

Scissors

Sharp scissors are typically included in tool kits to cut out excessive wool or clean up loose wool fibers.

Awl

This is a convenient little tool in many needle felting kits. It has a long pointy metal end that you can use to form a hole in your project. A common use for this tool is to shape eyeholes in preparation for plastic safety eyes (which may or may not be included as well).

Safety Eyes

These are small, plastic, pushpin-like eyes that can be gently pushed into finished felted wool projects, such as animal or human figures. They come in a variety of shapes and colors if you ever want to purchase more separately.

Roving Wool

Not all starter kits for needle felting include roving wool, but it’s a nice bonus for beginners since it has wool to practice with. It will also give you a chance to work with the wool and get a feel for it. Some wool works better than others.

Needle Felting Supplies for Beginners

Paxcoo Needle Felting Kit Set with Case for Beginner

The Paxcoo Needle Felting Kit Set is an excellent starter case for the beginning needle felter and it is a great bargain. It is a high-quality set of supplies that comes with a convenient carrying case and all the basic tools you will need to begin needle felting. It should be noted that this is a basic tool kit, so it does not contain a lot of extras. You will separately need to buy your felting material, as well as any patterns you may want.

The kit contains a needle, finger guard, a wooden felting tool, scissors, a glue stick, an awl, two finger cots, and these are all contained within a convenient case. These are the basic tools of the craft that you will need to get started with this fun hobby.

OPount Needle Felting Starter Kit

The OPount Needle Felting Starter Kit is a great pick for someone looking for their first set of needle felting supplies. As an added bonus, but also includes a small sampling of roving wool and safety eyes so you can practice your new craft right away by making a small felted animal!

It should be noted that this is primarily a tool kit, and although it does come with wool, it does not contain detailed instructions or patterns. Don’t let that discourage you though. This is a fantastic set that includes your 6 starting wools, safety eyes, felting needles, wooden felting tool, leather finger cots, awl, and a pair of scissors, packed away in it’s convenient plastic case. 

Julyshop 16 Colors Wool Felt + Needle Felt Tool Set

When it comes down to it, to do needle felting, you need your needles and wool. The Julyshop needle felting kit sticks to the bare essentials you need to get started; 16 colors of wool, 9 needles, 1 wooden felting handle, and a foam mat to felt on.

I love this set, because it focuses on the essentials. You need wool, which they give you 16 different colors to play with, you need needles tow felt with, and a handle and mat are luxuries most felters wouldn’t felt without. While there are other needle felting tools I would suggest buying to complete your tool set, such as this Pen Style Needle Felting Tool by Clover, but it’s not really required when you’re just stating out.

How to Use Your Needle Felting Tools

Stephanie Carswell from Hawthorn Handmade talks you through each tool you need to needle felt! Check out her amazing site for super cute animal felting kits and tips and tutorials for newbie felters!

Conclusion

Crafting hobbies are a great way to express your creativity and a wonderful way to spend your free time. There are tons of different hobbies that you can choose to pursue, and one crafting style that is growing in popularity is needle felting. With needle felting, you create three-dimensional objects using a barbed or hooked needle and wool fibers. These two things can come together to create pretty much anything you can imagine.

This is a varied and affordable hobby, but the materials are more easily obtained online than at a brick and mortar store. Any of the kits we reviewed above are perfect for beginners and include the basics that you need to start needle felting. Additional patterns and guides will help you expand your skill set and further increase the potential of what you can create.

 

What is Needle Felting?

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Weaving wool into exquisite fabrics is a common industrial process. But what is needle felting? This is just an artistic extension of the process involved in making liners and other thick felted fabrics with commercial felting machines. In this case, individuals use a single, barbed needle to pursue the craft of needle felting. This needle is an exact replica of needles used in sophisticated felting machines to churn out three-dimensional felting sculptures.

Wool fibers are usually tangled. By inserting a barbed needle into this tangled wool, three-dimensional felt sculptures can be created in different shapes and sizes. Use your imagination to create different designs, all by dry felting into the wool. Scales are formed into woolen fibers. By poking barbed needles into these woolen fibers, you have the chance to align their scales until they form thick, condensed felt materials. The barbs in the needle align these scales in definite positions allowing you to create the perfect woolen design.

Where Did It All Begin?

So, needle felting has been around for multiple decades but it really became prominent to use around the 1950’s. The process of needle felting was finessed for industrial works, with people creating parts for musical instruments and also materials used in the process of building. This was when companies started to use industrial felt that would usually felt wool and materials such as polyester or nylon together. Sometimes the high end felt would be placed between certain car parts to lessen the vibration between panels. This also prevented any dirt from accumulating around the joints of a car.

As for musical instruments, felt has been used in the manufacturing of drum cymbal stands, and also has been used to wrap mallets used for both the bass drum and the timpani. Felt can also be found in a piano, attached to the hammers that are wrapped in felt. Felt is also placed under the keys of the piano and also is used in many ukuleles and accordions. It has this way to trap sound and to softly hit a drum.

Needle felting, you will be surprised to learn, is also used a lot in the construction of a home. Felt is used to protect the home from weather (in the form of roofing felt) and also has the power to absorb a lot of moisture, which is why it is placed a lot on the layout of a floor.

Nowadays, felt is used all over the world and it can also be used as a fantastic pastime to stretch your artistic abilities. When you are first starting out felting, one of the main questions is “What Kind of Wool Should I Use For Felting?” Below we are going to be looking at the various types of wools and what each one has to offer, so you can refer it to as a guide before starting your next artistic project.

Felting Needle Sizes and Designs

For you to create different designs in wool, you need needles of different sizes. The ideal way to select the right size is to decide on the hole size left behind after punching the wool with the needle. For example, you can differentiate between popular needle sizes #36, #38, and #40 by checking the holes created by these needles. Size 40 will have a finer hole as compared to #36. These triangular-pointed needles have three-sided pointed ends with barbs or notches on all three sides.

For course felt designs, #36 is the preferred needle size. This may be appropriate for specific designs you create. You could also try out #38 to plug in the large hole created by the #36 needle. This is useful to create varied designs or to attach felted wool to another surface. To create recognizable designs including landscapes and objects, use the #40 needle. It is the ideal triangular needle to deal with finer details. For example, these #40 needles achieve delicate designs over petals of flowers.

Another popular needle is the four-sided star point needle with notches on all four sides. This needle is also used for fine felting wool. After you have gained experience with these popular needles, try out hand needle felting tools capable of holding up to 25 needles. Develop the capacity to complete large projects with high accuracy. Complete automation is also possible by using needle-felting machines with capacities to complete large consignments or orders.

Pursuing The Art Of Sculptural Needling

Needle felting found its way into sculptural designs when innovative fiber artists began creating three-dimensional shapes from wool. This popular crafting technique is now pursued by people across the world. You’ll find cheap and expensive felting tools with 3 to 25 needle holders, felting ideas, fibers in different packets, and a selection of wool at craft and hobby stores.

Think of bringing to life definite shapes with wool, and you’ll find the perfect colored wool for your project. Tap into online stores over the Internet to gather ideas about projects. You can also learn the art of needle felting from instructional books, videos, and online workshops. Once you have a good understanding of needle felting concepts, try out a simple project using online resources or gather essential supplies from your local hobby store.

Mastering the Art of Needle Felting

Repetitive jabbing motions into a bundle of wool can help you create intricate shapes in different sizes. Enough thought has been given to designing L-shaped steel felting needles with different barbed configurations and gauges. Manufacturers use color codes to differentiate between the different felting needles. Specific sets are made for beginners, while needle felting experts have access to the exact needle sets used in industry to manufacture bulk wool items.

Knowing what is needle felting is just the first step to mastering this addictive craft. Once you begin using different needles to create specific shapes, you will soon realize the process is simple and easy to master. It does not require weaving skills; however, if you have a keen artistic sense, you will be able to create articles that come alive in bright colors and perfect shapes.

For instance, you can actually speed up the process of creating different shapes by using double-pointed needles. Switch over to a single needle to finish your project. Get familiar with star-shaped felting needles to work on surface details of intricate designs or to complete your project with a delicate finish.

Useful Needle Felting Tips

With so many needle combinations and techniques used in needle felting, it makes sense to follow techniques that are successful and help you complete high-quality work in less time.

  • The art of needle felting is addictive and needs focus. This craft is the ideal hobby to improve concentration, as you will need to keep your eyes on the punching needle at all times. These needles have sharp edges and can penetrate the human skin.
  • Hold the needle at the top so you can punch the wool to greater depths.
  • Apply the necessary pressure without supporting the needle of the side. With some practice, you’ll arrive at the right pressure without breaking the punching movements.
  • Needle felting is a dry process. You do not have treat the wool or make it wet before needling the wool.
  • Use a 2-inch thick foam sheet to keep the wool in place. A standard 8” x 6″ piece will ensure you pass the wool in the vertical direction stopped only by the protective foam sheet. Ensure you rotate the wool placed over the foam to prevent it from bonding with the foam.
  • Always place your needles in the right color-coded pack. It will help you complete specific projects with the right needle size and type.

Needle felting is growing in popularity, and every attempt you make to try out new designs and needles takes you one step closer to creating innovative, new designs out of wool. So now that you know what is needle felting, turn yourself into a master craftsman simply by opting to try out a few needle felting exercises every day. The learning process is simple.

Best Needle Felting Books for Beginner & Intermediate Felters

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Needle felting is an increasingly popular craft that is easy to learn and doesn’t cost and arm and a leg to buy the supplies. You really don’t need a lot of different tools or equipment to partake in needle felting, which makes it affordable and simple—a great combination. Many beginning needle felters will purchase a set of needle crafting tools which will include the barbed needles of different lengths and widths, as well as the other tools and accessories you will need to make three-dimensional figures using roving wool.

Some sets will include roving wool, which is the wool fiber that is best suited for needle felting. You can easily find roving wool sets available in a rich rainbow of vibrant hues, for less than $20. You can even select finer wool, liker Merino wool, if you want a softer material. After you have your tools and the materials required for needle felting, you need a pattern or design book.

Things to Consider When Choosing Needle Felting Books

It might not seem like there is much beyond design content to consider when choosing between needle felting books. However, needle felting, like any other craft or artistic pursuit, is actually a varied and broad form of art. There are numerous different books that give you creative ideas, show you how to personalize the provided designs, as well as those that provide a wealth of tips and hints on how to become better at needle felting.

Skill Level

The first thing you want to ensure is that you are not getting a needle felting book that is above (or below) your skill level. There are needle felting projects that are suited for beginners, but also complicated projects that are best suited for the seasoned needle felter. It is no fun to get a needle felting book only to find that it is for an expert crafter, when this is your first time needle felting. Some books will include the skill level in the title, but even if they don’t, somewhere in the description you will find the skill level the book is designed for.

Creative Patterns

Next, you will want to look at the actual content. Are you looking for detailed patterns and instructions on how to replicate pre-created designs? Or are you looking for patterns and designs that you can personalize to make your own unique creations? This will help you determine what kind of book you want to get. There are those that are chock full of great predesigned projects, and those that give you the tips and elements you need to create completely unique projects.

New Techniques

There are also books that are more than just collections of needle felting patterns and designs; those that target beginners often provide actual instruction on techniques and skills that will help you better learn how to needle felt. These books provide tips and hints that will help you hone your skill, learn new techniques, and troubleshoot. Many of them will break down the basics of the materials and tools you will need, in addition to explaining how projects are conceptualized. A few will provide different exercises that you can practice so as to really enhance your skill. Some also provide the chance to learn a new style of felting, like wet felting, which might be best for intermediate felters looking for a new challenge!

Needle Felting Books for Beginner Felters

Feltlicious: Needle-Felted Treats to Make & Give

By: Kari Chapin

Because what crafter isn’t a foodie?! If you’re just getting into the craft of needle felting, you’ll definitely want to check out “Feltlicious: Needle-Felted Treats to Make & Give”, by best-selling author, Kari Chapin. With over 30 delicious designs, easy, step-by-step tutorials, and beautiful photos and illustrations, you’ll be cooking up an adorable felted feast in no time!

Needle Felting for Beginners

By: Lori Allen

Lori Allen’s “Needle Felting for Beginners” is the perfect introductory needle felting guide, providing a quick and focused run down of the basics of needle felting.

This is a great book for a novice needle felter, because it keeps to the basics of what a beginner needs to know, like what needle felting is, how to needle felt, and what types of felting needles to use. It includes super easy to follow steps for cute projects to get you acquainted with the craft.

I love the fact that this is an ebook for the Kindle. Instead of lugging a book around while I’m out and about, waiting at a doctor’s office or sitting at the park while my kids play at the playground, all I need is my phone and my little bag of supplies to practice with. Hey, it’s hard for a mom to find time to craft, so I’ll take what I can get!

Adorable Felted Animals: 30 Easy & Incredibly Lifelike Needle Felted Pals

By: Gakken Handmade

If you know your basics, it’s time to put them to the test with one of these “Adorable Felted Animals”, from Gakken Handmade. Animals are one of the most popular needle felting projects, and this book offers 30 different patterns to create! It’ll show you how to develop body shapes for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, etc. that you can customize with wool colors and patterns of your own choosing.

I particularly love animal projects, because it’s the perfect opportunity to work with needle felting different color wools together to develop a unique color blend, an essential for realistic felted animals. This book shows how to make easy, realistic looking animals that will make all your friends and family ‘Awww!’

Needle Felting Books for Intermediate Felters

Needle Felting From Basics to Bears

By: Liza J. Adams

If you’re a fan of bears, then you’ll love Liza Adam’s “Needle Felting from Bears to Basics”! Even if you don’t have bears on the mind, this needle felting book is full of great tips for beginners and intermediate felters, easy-to-follow instructions, and adorable patterns that you’ll be felting with ease in no time!

One technique that this book focuses on is creating joints so that the arms and legs of your cute teddies can actually move! Many beginner and intermediate books don’t necessarily cover this technique, so I think that makes this a really useful addition to your collection!

Simply Needlefelt

By: Jayne Emerson

Jayne Emerson’s “Simply Needlefelt” is a great book for those who are at a more intermediate level of skill. The book comprises different, beautiful patterns, and also includes detailed instructions and introductions to techniques used in needle felting. This is actually a written tutorial that lets you learn the basics and even more intricate elements of needle felting in a hands-on manner.

In addition to giving basic technique tips and instructions, Emerson also helps you learn how to choose excellent color and design combinations so as to pull together your projects and make them look their best. She provides instructions and ideas for a wide range of different projects, ranging from the traditional felt figurine to scarves and how to make three-dimensional effects on your projects.

Needle-Felting Magic: Easy Machine Techniques and Projects

By: Margo Duke

Margo Duke’s “Needle-Felting Magic” is a unique type of needle felting book. It is best suited for those who have some skill with both needle felting and sewing machines. This book shows you how to make needle felting projects using your sewing machine. She will teach you how to “paint with fiber,” and also gives detailed instructions and patterns for making needle felting projects on your sewing machine.

Conclusion

Needle felting is a fun hobby that is perfect for those with different levels of skill. This is an inexpensive hobby that is easy to learn and has tons of creative potential. This is a craft that doesn’t require a lot of tools or materials; you simply need a small kit of basic tools and your desired colors of roving wool fibers and you have the materials needed to begin needle felting.

Once you have secured all the materials, you need to choose a good design and pattern book. You want a book that is targeted to your skill level, as well as personal style and design needs. These books are actually pretty widely varied, and whether you are a beginner or an expert, there are great books that will get you on your way to needle felting. There are books that are full of complete patterns, those that contain different elements and patterns that let you create your own unique figures, and also books that provide instruction and tips in addition to patterns.