What Is Needle Felt
At its core, needle felting is sculpting with wool. You take wool fibers and compress them into shapes by repeatedly poking them with a special barbed needle. No glue. No sewing. Just your hands, a needle, and wool.
Every time you poke the needle in, the barbs on the shaft catch the fibers and tangle them. Eventually, those fibers tighten into a firm shape. That’s the magic. And once you learn the basics, the possibilities are endless—from animals and dolls to flat wool paintings, mushrooms, and whimsical creatures.
If you’ve ever scrolled through Rustic Fiber Academy's course library, you've likely seen examples of just how far you can take this craft.
You don’t need a giant kit or a ton of expensive supplies. Here’s what you’ll need—and why each one matters.
1. Felting Needles
There are different gauges (sizes) and shapes. Each has a specific purpose, but you can start with just one or two.
Recommended beginner needles:
A 36 triangle needle – great for shaping and starting your core forms
A 38 star needle – slightly finer, better for smoothing and small details
It’s helpful to have extras. Needles break (especially when you're learning), so having a few on hand saves frustration.
Want a deeper dive into needle types? I created a free, visual Felting Needle Guide that explains all of this clearly.
2. Wool
Wool is your sculpting medium. And what kind you choose will affect how smooth, easy, and enjoyable your project turns out.
There are two main types to know:
Core wool: Undyed, fast felting, used to build the base or inner layers of your sculpture.
Top coat wool: Usually dyed and smoother, great for surface layers, details, and textures.
If you’re unsure which wool to start with, the Ultimate Wool Guide walks you through types, textures, and which breeds work best.
Avoid tight roving or worsted blends when you're starting—they're too slippery and don’t felt easily.
3. Felting Surface
You’ll need a surface to work on. If you felt on a hard surface, you'll snap needles or stab your table (and yourself).
Options:
Foam block – Inexpensive and great for beginners
Wool mat – Long-lasting and more eco-conscious
Brush mat – Best for flat pieces or wool paintings
I recommend starting with foam until you know your style. If you're doing lots of 2D work later, you can upgrade.
4. Helpful Extras
Not required to begin, but good to know as you grow:
Small scissors – For trimming fuzz or shaping ends
Finger guards – Especially helpful for kids or beginners
Reference images – Help with proportions and consistency
Felting stylus or awl – Useful for shaping small holes or details
You'll find many of these tools mentioned in beginner tutorials on Rustic Fiber Academy, especially in the people and animal courses.
A Step-by-Step Beginner Practice Session
So you've gathered your wool, your needle, and your mat—what next? Before jumping into a full project, it’s important to build up some basic skills. This practice session will teach you how the wool behaves and how to control your needle.
Step 1: Make a Simple Ball
Start here to learn how wool compacts and how your needle interacts with it.
Pull a handful of core wool (about the size of a loose golf ball).
Loosely roll it into a round shape with your hands.
Start poking straight down into the wool with your needle. Rotate every few pokes to keep the shape even.
Keep felting until the ball becomes firm, but still slightly springy.
This teaches needle control, consistency, and fiber density—all fundamental to future projects.
Step 2: Practice a Cylinder
Most sculptures (legs, arms, mushrooms) are based on this shape.
Tear off more wool and roll it tightly like a burrito.
Poke along the length, turning as you go.
Use your needle to shape ends and compress uneven areas.
Try tapering one side if you want to simulate a stem or snout.
This teaches shaping and how wool responds to compression.
Don’t over-poke in one spot. It creates dents and may break your needle.
Don’t felt at an angle. Straight in, straight out is the rule.
Don’t expect it to look perfect right away. Felt is forgiving—you can always add more wool and reshape.
Once you've made a ball and a cylinder, you're ready for something a little more structured. I recommend starting with the Oaklings Free Tutorial. These tiny wool people wear real acorn caps and come with step-by-step instructions.
It’s a perfect way to:
Learn simple limb shaping
Attach small parts securely
Add whimsical charm with natural elements
This free tutorial is one of our most-loved starting points in the academy, and it’s a great intro into what needle felting can become.
How long does a project take?
A small beginner project might take 1–3 hours. Larger, more detailed sculptures may take several sessions.
Do I need wire armature?
Not at first. For small, solid sculptures, you don’t need it. Once you start making poseable or larger figures, you can explore that.
Can I use alpaca or other fibers?
Yes, but they felt differently. Stick with medium-coarse wool breeds like Romney or Corriedale to start—they’re easy and reliable.
Ready to Explore More?
If you're eager to keep learning, Rustic Fiber Academy offers over 100 tutorials for all levels. You’ll also find a curated set of free guides and tools that are perfect for beginners.
These guides are available to members through the student dashboard and to non-members in the “Free” section of the shop.
Some of the most popular beginner tools include:
The Needle Felting Confidence Journal
Miniature Scale Calculator
The Photography Blueprint for Felting
New guides are released regularly. If there's one you wish existed, let me know—most of my best resources were created because someone asked.
Needle felting isn’t about perfection—it’s about process. The beauty of this craft is how accessible and forgiving it is. You can start with a ball of wool and end up with a tiny fox, a fairy, or something that surprises even you.
Whether you’re here to make gifts, tell stories through wool, or just need a peaceful creative outlet, you’ve already taken the first step.
Have questions or ideas? You can always reach out through RusticFiberAcademy.com. I’m here to help you fall in love with this craft the way I did.
— Christie
Founder, Rustic Fiber Academy
