What Is Needle Felting ?

Needle Felting and Process

Needle felting is an old felting method that employs the use of a felting needle as a tool.

To start needle felting, roll a little piece of wool into a ball and poke it with the needle. When punctured with a felting needle, the wool is drawn into the needle. It continues to bring the wool towards itself by prodding it with the needle while twisting it, and the wool, with its little scales, locks together. Several flat patterns, felting sculptures, paintings, and décor may be created by continuously poking into fibers! A felting needle is used to compress the strands of wool to make it.

To begin needle felting, you’ll need wool, felt needles, and a cushion or pad to serve as

The Wool:

Wool is a textile fiber made from sheep and other animals, as well as cashmere and goat mohair. The fibers are jumbled in their orientation during processing, and the scale edges may point in different directions. When wool is disturbed, the scales’ edges come into touch with one another, preventing the wool fiber from sliding back and “locking” it into place. Hundreds of fibers come into contact and lock into this structure, causing the wool to feel.

Felt Needles:

When the wool is poked with the felting needle, it pulls the wool into itself. By repeatedly poking the wool with the needle over and over while turning the wool, it continues to pull the wool into itself and the wool, with its tiny scales, locks together. Continued prodding and turning results in a firm round shape.

The felt Cushion or Pad:

The pillow or cushion is used as a surface to work on. It needs to go into something when you poke the needle into the wool. The cushion is perfect because it will protect the needle from going inside the table or even your legs.

Difference between Needle Felting and Wet Felting?

Needle felting, also known as dry felting, produces the required outcomes without the use of water. Dry felting typically produces a three-dimensional item.

Wet felting is the process of combining wool fibers with water and soap to make a cloth. It’s also possible to make two-dimensional art with it. Wet felting is a straightforward procedure with numerous phases involving heat, moisture, pressure, agitation, and a change in pH levels when compared to other ways of textile manufacturing.

Common Mistakes while Needle Felting.

Not Felting on a Support Pad:

The most safety is provided by laying the project on the cushion. To avoid being poked by the felting needle, place the project on the felting cushion. When felting is done without a support pad, there is no base to work with therefore, the felt product will not be felted well. Further, accidents could happen without any support.

Using the Wrong Size Felting Needle:

There are many sizes of felting needles, which can be confusing and frustrating for someone who is new to needle felting. You must understand that different types of wool and patterns necessitate a different gauge. The finer the needle, the higher the number, so a 40 gauge needle is finer than a 36 gauge needle. Larger needles allow you to felt faster, whilst finer needles let you to finish faster and avoid lots of little holes in your work. Because felting needles become blunt over time, you must replace them if the felting process is taking too long. Finer wools, such as Merino, require smaller sizes, such as 38 or 36.

Prodding the Felting needle deep into the Wool:

Felting with the Wrong Wool:

When it comes to choosing wool for your first felting project, you have a lot of options. If you are new to felting, it is better to stick to wool that has been specifically created for that project. The most crucial thing to keep in mind is to avoid highly washed wool. It has been specifically processed to ensure that it does not felt. It was created for knit clothing that does not shrink when washed.

Breaking Felting Needles:

Breaking needles while starting needle felt is inevitable, but there are ways to prevent it from happening too often. Make sure you purchase more than one needle when starting, because it is extremely frustrating to break your only needle and have to wait to finish your project. If you notice the tip of your felting needle bowing or bending as you poke into your item, this indicates that you are providing sideways pressure to your felting needle, which will cause it to snap. As long as the tip of your felting needle remains straight, you can poke in and out at any angle. Do not use your felting needle to pick at or pry the fibers of your project, as this, too, will cause your felting needle to snap. If you work on a cushion, your needle will have a soft surface to91, protect it if it goes through your felting project and comes out the other side. Before attempting to work around wire, wait until you have some needle felting experience. Also, keep in mind that felting needles wear out and must be changed if you felt frequently

Starting off with Too Difficult of a Project:

It is quite simple to become frustrated when beginning a felting project. Although the decision to begin a project differs from person to person, we normally advocate starting with small initiatives. Simple projects not only help you master the fundamentals of needle felting, but they also inspire you` to tackle more complex projects. When you start with a simple project, you may finish it quickly and proudly display it to your friends and family.