Needle Felting: Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started

Tips for Beginner Felters
From someone who also started out just poking around

Needle felting – also known as dry felting – is such a calming and creative hobby. But when you're just starting out, all the tools, wool types and techniques can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry – in this blog, I’ll share my own experience and give you some simple, down-to-earth tips to get going.

What do you need to start needle felting?
You really don’t need much to begin needle felting. A felting needle (ideally two: one fine, one coarse), some wool, and a proper felting surface. For larger projects, a wire armature can be super helpful too. And trust me – once you get going, it’s hard to stop.

Start with a fine and a coarse needle
You can absolutely begin with just one needle, but I recommend having both a coarse and a fine one. The coarse needle helps shape quickly, while the fine one is great for details and smoothing things out. It makes a real difference, especially when felting smaller parts.

What’s a good surface for needle felting?
This is different for everyone. A firm but soft base like a foam block, felting mat or brush pad will protect your needles and your hands. I love the jute mats my mother sews for The wool family. They are durable and eco-friendly. 

Core wool: budget-friendly and practical
For bigger pieces, consider using core wool as your inner structure. It’s an inexpensive, undyed wool that’s perfect for building volume. You can then layer your nicer, colored wool on top. It saves materials and helps give your project a firm base.

Carded wool vs. roving – what’s the difference?
Most beginner kits include roving – those long, smooth wool strands like Merino. They look great, but can be a bit slippery to work with. I actually prefer batting or carded wool for shaping – it’s fluffier, easier to control, and felts faster. You can always add roving later for crisp lines or surface detail.

How do you use felted wool?
In needle felting, you shape wool by repeatedly poking it with a barbed needle. This causes the fibers to tangle and bind together. You build your figure slowly, layer by layer. No water, no heat – just a dry process. That’s why it’s also called “dry felting” or “dry poking.”

Still fuzzy? Here's what helps
If your piece still looks a bit fuzzy at the end, try gently rubbing it with damp fingertips, always in one direction. It smooths down the surface fibers. And if that’s not enough... I’ll admit: I sometimes use a tiny bit of glue. But only at the very end – once the glue is on, you can’t felt that area anymore.

How is felting done?
There are two main felting techniques: wet felting (using water and soap) and dry felting (using needles). In dry felting – or needle felting – you use a barbed needle to entangle wool fibers by stabbing them repeatedly. It’s a slow, mindful process that many people find relaxing and rewarding.

Armature is your friend
Wire armature helps give shape and strength to your projects – especially animals or dolls. It can seem intimidating at first, but even a simple pipe cleaner works wonders. Just skip the brightly colored craft ones; the plain brown or white ones from a tobacco shop are much sturdier and safer to use.

Ask questions and keep going
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. There are so many friendly felters online who love to share their tips. And most importantly: work on something that excites you. If you get stuck, walk away for a bit and come back later. You’ll improve with every attempt – even the messy ones.

Pay attention to your wool source
Not all wool is ethically sourced, unfortunately. Whenever possible, try to buy from trusted craft stores or needle felting webshops that care about where their wool comes from. It’s a small choice that makes your craft feel even better.

Have fun with needle felting! And remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you’re enjoying the process, you’re doing it right.

Want to start with a fun little project?
I’ve created a free, step-by-step tutorial that’s perfect for beginners:
🎃 How to Needle Felt a Pumpkin – A Cosy Autumn DIY

It’s the perfect way to practice  and create something cute right away!