Welcome to Natural Felt and Handmade Craft, a brand focused on preserving Nepal's traditional handicrafts. We offer a special collection of handmade woolen work created by skilled artisans from Nepal. From warm woolen items to beautiful felt designs, each piece showcases the art and culture of our country.
So, you're curious about felting? You’ve seen those beautiful wool creations—soft sculptures, vibrant wall hangings, and fun accessories—and thought, “How on earth do they make that?” Well, you’re in the right place. Let’s take a dive into the world of wool felting and break it down for beginners.
At its core, felting is the process of matting, condensing, and pressing wool fibres together. It’s a way to make fabric or create 3D objects without sewing or weaving.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds. If you can work with your hands and have some patience, you’re all set.
There are two main types of felting: wet felting and needle felting. Wet felting uses warm water, soap, and friction to bind wool fibres together. The process involves giving the wool a bath and then rolling it around until the fibres bond and become a solid piece. On the other hand, needle felting uses a special barbed needle to poke wool fibres together, repeatedly stabbing the wool until it takes shape. Both methods are effective and versatile, allowing you to create a wide range of projects, from small animals to thick, textured fabrics. The beauty of felting lies in its simplicity and the endless possibilities it offers for creative expression.
Wool is the go-to fibre for felting. It’s naturally scaly, which makes it perfect for locking together during the felting process. Wool comes in various types—some finer, some coarser—and each type brings something different to the table. You can experiment with different kinds of wool, like merino, corriedale, or romney, depending on the texture and feel you want.
To get started with felting, you’ll need a few basic tools. For needle felting, a special barbed needle is used to poke and shape the wool. Wool roving is the unspun wool you’ll work with, and it’s great for both needle and wet felting. If you’re doing wet felting, you’ll also need soap and warm water to help the wool stick together. Lastly, a felting mat or foam is useful for needle felting, providing a soft surface so you don’t damage your work. With these simple tools, you’ll be ready to start felting!
Start by picking your wool, like merino wool, which is soft and easy to work with. Then, choose your technique—either needle felting or wet felting. Begin with a simple project, such as a small ball or a flat piece of felt. Take your time and work slowly; felting can take a bit, but the results are worth it!
Use clean wool to make sure it’s free of debris, which helps the felting process go smoother. Don’t overwork it, especially with needle felting, as it’s easy to lose the shape—take breaks when needed. Start with small and simple projects if you're a beginner. And most importantly, experiment with colours! Wool felting is all about creativity, so mix and match different colours to create vibrant and unique designs.
Using the wrong type of wool can make felting more difficult, as some wool varieties are too coarse for certain projects. Friction is essential in felting, whether it's from rubbing in wet felting or poking with a needle. Without enough friction, the wool won’t bond together properly. Additionally, skipping the soap in wet felting can prevent the wool from bonding effectively. Soap plays a crucial role in helping the wool fibres bind, so it’s important not to skip this step.
Felting is one of those hobbies that’s easy to start but hard to put down once you’ve begun. Whether you’re making decorations, gifts, or something for yourself, felting offers endless possibilities.
It’s simple, fun, and incredibly satisfying to watch wool transform under your hands. It’s a craft that can be as small as a little keychain or as big as a whole wool sculpture. The choice is yours.
And honestly, wool felting is just good for the soul. You get to create something with your hands that’s personal, creative, and, most importantly, fun.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some wool and get felting today.
.png)