What is Needle Felting?

Caro Indy answers some of the fundamental questions about the incredible world of needle felting

These little furry characters have been created using only a needle and a ball of wool. The technique used to create them is called needle felting, and we talked to artist Carolina Alles–better known as Caro Indy (@caroindy)–, an expert on the subject, to find out more about what exactly needle felting is, what materials are needed to start, and what use they can have.

Carolina has created countless characters out of wool fleece, many of which have starred in her various animation projects. They have answered our questions on needle felting for anyone who’s trying to get into the craft.

What is needle felting?

Needle felting is a technique in which, by means of a special needle that has some spikes, wool fleece is compacted to achieve different shapes. When you press the needle into the wool, the fibers become entangled, leaving less and less air inside. When the fabric is more compressed, we are able to mold it.

What tools do you need to start needle felting?

There are very few tools needed to get started! You need a felting needle (ideally several, because it is common for them to break), some fleece, and a foam rubber to use as a base.

The fleece, for those who do not know, is the fiber with which the yarn or wool is spun later. There are different types: the most common is known as "long hair" and is used for spinning. Another type, known as "short hair," is harder to find. This last one is the one that I use, as the short fiber is very good for this technique. But I want to stress that you can work with any fleece.

With respect to the needles, they come in various thicknesses, but whatever you can find will be fine to begin with. I believe that you have to make do with what you have and that, with very little, you can do great things.

What purpose do needle felt figures serve? What type of projects can they be used for?

They can be used for all kinds of things. I like them to be decorative, since this way they will have a longer life. I don't recommend them for key rings, since the constant rubbing ruins them. But they can serve as a brooch, in a picture, as a decorative figure, as a small piece to put on a necklace, and more. Needle felting can also be applied to fabrics in embroidery. As you can see, there are many possibilities!

Who can do needle felting?

The youngest students I've had were 9 years old, although it depends a bit on whether they are children who have already been doing crafts of some kind. If not, it's better if they are a little older, like 11. We use a needle that can be a little dangerous and that's why it's not recommended for very young children.

Beyond that age, there are no other restrictions. People have come to my classes who have confessed that they are not very handy and have left with a finished piece. It's a fantastic technique for that very reason, because you don't have to know how to do anything and you can immediately create something of your own from your imagination.

How did you start needle felting?

I started completely by chance. About 10 years ago, I saw an image on a blog. I didn't understand what it was made of, if it was knitted or what it was. I did some research, got some fleece and a needle, and started! I broke a needle immediately and I said: that's it, this is not for me! Luckily, I kept trying, although the road was long, since at that time there was no one to give classes and there were only a few videos on Youtube of Japanese women. I basically looked at photos to understand the process.

I started to find my own technique just by doing it and doing it. I always say that, in felting, there is no right way of doing it, there are several ways, and I teach mine.

What is the biggest piece of needle felting you have ever done?

I don't have very big pieces, I usually work in a 20 cm high measure. But the biggest one I made is a 50 cm rabbit that I have in my workshop. I made it to participate in a contest to go to a talk given by Tim Burton in an amphitheater, and I won it!

And the smallest one?

The smallest ones must be about 5 or 6 cm, I have some in my workshop. When I started, I made them this small, as I said, to wear as a necklace or a pin.

You also make clothes for your felt characters, how do you do that?

Yes, I love making their clothes! I've always sewn and that's why it was very natural for me to start dressing them. This has led me to get more involved in the process of making clothes in small dimensions on a sewing machine. It's a very good tool to give my characters the personality I imagine for them.

Carolina Alles teaches the Domestika course Needle Felting: Creation of Characters with Needle and Thread where they share her character-creation technique, step by step, and the Confection of Miniature Clothing course, where they show you how to design and create clothes to scale for your dolls and characters.

English version by @harry_davies.

You may also like:

- Amigurumi: Creation of Characters through Crochet, a course by Ameskeria
- Textile Toys: Design and Creation of Fabric Characters, a course by Piti Piti
- Introduction to Weaving Wool Felt, a course by Déjate Querer