Needle felting is an easy craft, and you can do so much. You can “colour in pictures” needle felt onto clothing ,jewellery. I make use of it to enhance my bear making. Using it to make paw pads, creating a muzzle, and 3d bears/animals. You are sculpturing using wool. Shading can be done using “eye shadow” this adds depth. I have found that some pens, the ink is absorbed by the wool, creating a very dark spot.
TIP: Needles will break, mainly because they are not used correctly. I always suggest before starting a project, make a small ball. Start with a small piece of roving, and try various needles to “poke” the wool. Some needles will not catch any wool, where others will catch the wool when inserting the needle. As soon as you meet resistance when inserting the needle, change to another size, don’t force the needle. I make use of several sizes for all my projects. Like knitting a jersey, for chunky wool you will make use of thicker knitting needles, the same applies to working with roving. I import Corriedale from New Zealand. Corriedale produces bulky, high-yielding wool ranging from 31.5 to 24.5 micron fibre diameter .Merino sheep produce wool that is less than 24 microns in diameter. Most wool between 11.5 and 24 microns in fibre diameter. Merino wool is also available in a 31.5 icon ,making it similar to Corriedale. ( It depends where the wool comes from on the animal) You will then use different needles for felting the project. Needles are also very SHARP, careful when using them and especially if a child is felting a project. You get a T- triangle shape tip, S-star 4 sided tip. I make use of WIZPICK needles, imported from New Zealand. The tops are coloured, making it easy to remember the size you need to use. Today you will get many tutorials on the internet, if you understand the basics, you will be able to complete these projects, however with needle felting, you are the master of the craft and will amaze yourself at what you are able to produce. If making a bear/animal you must work on a high density sponge.
One is also able to take two “dog brushes with wire bristles” to comb different shades of wool, to create your own blend. ( This is know as carding.) You get hand held carders, as well as drum carders for large projects.
I import needle felting kits, wool from Japan. These products are “superior” products. The range also includes stunning eyes, and noses. Wool is available in different textures. They make “realistic” wool, which is a mixture of wool, making realistic animals “real” They also do fine and curly wool, ideal for realistic animals.
I sell a “plastic cord” this is ideal for making a frame to felt over.
