Felting with Water and Soap

NEW! Creative Felting

Color, color, color, that is what this book is all all about, Discover your own creativity with the ancient art of felting. Follow step by step instructions to teach you how to felt the easy way. Experiment with different fibers and techniques and with blending and contrasting a whole range of colors. Watch your fiber come to life with this books vibrant color combination and textures.

NEW! How We Felt, Designs and Techniques

Felt artist Carol Huber Cypher takes readers behind the scenes in search of the techniques and inspirations that define the best contemporary feltmakers. Beginning with an iconic project, the technique of felting around a ball that artist Beth Beede made famous and taught throughout the world, the book continues with more than 20 artists and highlights diverse forms, including hats, capes, a dress, bags, slippers, jewelry, rugs, pillows, a curtain, an ottoman, and other decorative pieces, plus vessels, hanging installations, a felted chess set, and other art forms. A gallery showcases other artists and provides further ideas to spark the fiber artist’s imagination. Readers are encouraged to use the examples and instructions to inform their own creative endeavors.In addition to practical information on creating the pieces shown, each project is accompanied by biographical information and insights into the artist’s own inspiration.

NEW! Felt Frenzy, 26 Projects for All Forms of Felting

This is not your ordinary felting book! Felt Frenzy explores all the major techniques of felt making, from knit-and-shrink to wet felting, needlefelting, and “recycled felting”—turning salvaged wool sweaters into useful felt pieces—plus ways to combine techniques for creative and unique results. Designed with the absolute beginner in mind, Felt Frenzy is packed with 26 projects and photographs of more than 50 before-and-after felted yarn combinations so readers can easily customize patterns with substitutions of their choice. You’ll find instructions for the ever-popular felted bag, but it doesn’t stop there—learn to make felted flowers, hats, jackets, scarves, wool sneakers, even a nuno felted skirt. As an added bonus, you’ll find “design ideas” scattered throughout the book to give your projects an extra creative boost; these suggestions help integrate felt into other fiber arts, from embroidery to shibori.

NEW! Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads, Carol Huber Cypher

Let Carol Huber Cypher share here secrets to making striking jewelry and accessories with beaded embellishments! Learn how to  create stunning felt beads, then turn your handmade jewels into and elegant Roso Bolo, flamboyant Felted Glass Pendant, and inspired Calla Lily Necklace and more! Choose from 25 artful and inspiring designs created with soap and water and felting needles.

Simply Felt, 20 easy and elegant designs in wool, Margaret Docherty, Jayne Emerson

Starting with an old thrift shop sweater or a bag of raw wool you can create handsome, durable fabrics for striking wearable or home decor. All it takes is soap, water and a bit of scrubbing and rubbing. Learn how to make felt from old knitted fabrics, make felt from raw wool and other fibers, how to felt by hand  or washing machine, how to created flat fabrics or sculptural shapes. Find out how to enhance your felt by inlaying fibers for color and texture effects, easy step-by step instructions. 128 pages.

The Art of Feltmaking, Anne Einset Vickrey

Basic Techniques for making Jewelry, Miniatures, Dolls, Buttons, Wearables, Puppets, Masks and Fine Art Pieces. The Art of Feltmaking demonstrates how to use the natural properties of wool to make delightful, one-of-a-kind felted items. The techniques are so simple that even kids can join the fun. To get started all you need are wool, hot, soapy water and your hands. 144 pages.

Felting by Hand, Anne Einset Vickrey

Learn how to make felt by hand,  and how to choose and prepare domestic wool specifically suited for felting. Let Anne show you how to create slippers, hats, bags, mittens and vests. Find out how to dye wool to suit your needs and decorate your felt and incorporate yarn. Chapter on felt projects for kids as well. Full size fold-out patterns for most projects. 93 pages

NEW! Feltmaking Projects for Children, Anne Einset Vickrey

Written specifically for children and their parents or teachers this book offers exciting opportunities to encourage children to develop their creative expression thru feltmaking. Designed for teachers for grades preschool to fifth, this book can also be used at home. Six projects allow children to make one-of-a-kind felt items: belt beads, felt rope, felt figures, felt vessels, felt balls as well as a group project. Happy Felting

Feltmaking by Hand, Anne Einset Vickrey

Subtitled The Basic Process this video is perfect for all who would like to learn how to felt with soap and water. Feltmaking is a simple technique requiring very little equipment, which produces warm woolen wearables like hats, slippers and mittens that are fun to wear, and they make great gifts. You will learn how to choose the best wool, how to prepare fleece for felting, & how to make your own patterns. You will be given complete instructions for making a felt hat & ideas for lots of other projects. A great craft for all ages. 51 minutes. "This is an excellent video...well organized... clear & concise" HANDWOVEN MAGAZINE

Videos and DVDs are non returnable once shrink warp or seal in broken.

Felting with Felting Needles

NEW! Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads, Carol Huber Cypher

Let Carol Huber Cypher share here secrets to making striking jewelry and accessories with beaded embellishments! Learn how to  create stunning felt beads, then turn your handmade jewels into and elegant Roso Bolo, flamboyant Felted Glass Pendant, and inspired Calla Lily Necklace and more! Choose from 25 artful and inspiring designs created with soap and water and felting needles.

NEW! Needle Felting by Anne Einset Vickrey
  

Even if you have never heard of needle felting before, this book is for you. Let Anne Einset Vickrey show you how to create whimsical dolls and sculptures, and also lovely works of art. Imagination is the only limit to what you can create. This book gives useful information as to the tools, and how to choose an appropriate felting needle. The two methods for creating felt are also explained. The five projects begin with the very simple and progress into three dimensional objects. Spiral bound.

The Felting Needle: Further Fantasies, Ayala Talpai

Felting Fanatics here is the book you have been waiting for: If Volume 1 were a pebble cast into your imagination, this Volume II deals with the ripples. Packed with details, ideas and recently emerged techniques, Ayala casts a wider ring around the subject, filling in any gaps, adding a welter of possible projects and incorporating other felting methods for the greater glory of needle felting!

The Felting Needle, from Factory to Fantasy, Ayala Talpai

This is the first volume of the Felting Needle Duo. Learn how to use felting needles safely and sculpt three dimensional items. Learn how to make decorative  Fiberge Eggs and create unique fiber creatures with a life of their own.

Needle Felting Projects, from the team of Ashford Handicrafts

Here is a quick introduction to needle felting: Learn the basics, what fibers to use, what equipment you need and make felt balls, a felt monster, a felt bee, and flower pin as well as a brooch, a hair decoration, felt pictures and a sheep. 14 page booklet. Book One, Includes two felting needles.

Felting Needle Introductory Kit

Don't let the name fool you. This is the most comprehensive kit we carry! Learn the Basics of Needle Felting from renowned felter Anne Einset Vickrey, as you are guided through making four needle felted projects: Sun Face, Brown Bear, Mouse and Heart Pendant. Everything you need is Included: a large foam work surface, felting needles and enough dyed fibers for all projects. A great value! Will make a great gift too!

$25.95  Quantity  

 

Felting Needle Kit, Basic

Learn a new craft! Felting is easy to do and rewarding as well. Felting needles allow you to sculpt your work or add details that you can not obtain when felting with water and soap. Kit contains foam pad, four felting needles, and instructions on use and how to make a felted coaster. Fiber not included

 

$8.50  Quantity 

 

Ashford Felting Project Kit

Includes 14 oz of carded New Zealand Corriedale Sliver in 12 colors, the book "Felting Needle Projects" from Ashford and two felting needles. Click to enlarge. A great way to get started in needle felting.(Other Ashford felting wool sets below)

$50.00  Quantity  

 

Harrisville Felted Hat Kit

Make 2 felted wool hats with Harrisville's 100% Pure Wool Fleece. Whether you make them funky, funny or fashionable, the art of felt making will come alive with this fun kit.  Re-useable ball for felting, warm colored fleece and instructions included. Ages 12 and up.

 

Quantity          Felt Hat Kit - $24.95

 

Refill Kit for Felt Hat Kit, Warm Colors (same as kit) - $19.95

 

Refill Kit for Felt Hat Kit, Cool Colors - $19.95
 

 

 

Felting Needle Punch, Ashford

Wooden felting needle punch that allows you to store felting needles inside the punch when not in use. A nice safety feature! Holds four felting needles. Comes with four needles for punch and extra needle for detail work.

$41.90   Quantity  

 

Student Needle Felting Punch, Ashford

Same great shape as above this value priced felting needle punch lets you store your felting needles securely inside when not in use. Clear, strong acrylic. Three felting needles included.

$13.25  Quantity          

 

Felting Needle Punches from Feltcrafts

Light weight hand tooled aluminum felting needle punches from Feltcrafts. These tools screws apart for easy needle changing. Snug fit prevents movement. All purpose 38 gauge felting needles included. Six needle punch to left, twenty needle punch to right.

          

Quantity    
Twenty Needle Tool, this is a serious, hefty tool for large areas - $54.00 

Six Needle Tool, standard size - $26.95 

Two Needle Tool with handy neck chain- $16.95
 

Felting Needle Punches from Colonial

Nicely contoured felting needle tools in two sizes. Includes 36 gauge felting needles. Comfortable contoured birch handle. Additional needles sold seperatly.

Quantity
Six Needle Punch, three needles included - $14.70

Twelve Needle Punch, six needles included - $21.00
 

 

NEW! Ashford Felting Wool Set 1

14 oz of carded Corriedale Sliver in 12 colors: moss, navy, marigold, fir, eggplant, pumpkin, teal, lilac haze, nutmeg, sky blue, rose & berry. Click on image to enlarge.

$36.00   Quantity

 

NEW! Ashford Felting Wool Set 2

14 oz of carded Corriedale Sliver in 12 colors: periwinkle, black, copper, camel, lima bean, chocolate, blue, green, magenta, orange, purple. Click on image to enlarge.

$36.00  Quantity   

 

NEW! Ashford Felting Wool Set 3

14 oz of carded Corriedale Sliver in 12 colors: turquoise, yellow, red, candy, indigo, lagoon, lime, lavender, pansy, raspberry, tangerine. Click on image to enlarge.

$36.00  Quantity   

 

Felting Needle Replacement Packs       

36 gauge triangular point coarse needles / 4 pack,  for coarse wools and deep penetration

$4.95   Quantity      

 

38 gauge triangular point all purpose needle / 4 pack, for all purpose

$ 4.95 Quantity     

 

40 gauge triangular point fine needle / 4 pack, for fine details fine wools  

$ 4.95  Quantity     

 

38 gauge star point needle / 3 pack, for fast felting and fine details. Star point needles will felt slightly faster than standard triangular point needles.

$4.95  Quantity     

 

Assortment 4 pack   1/#36, 2/#38, 1/#40

$4.95  Quantity     

Ideas for Felt

NEW! Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects by Salley Mavor
 

Does your fancy float to wee fairy worlds? Do you like creating in a simple to manipulate material? Do you enjoy spending time embroidering and constructing truly unique objects? These assemblages of felt, embroidery thread, pipe cleaners, beads, and imagination are the authors suggestions for her readers to look at and then go with. She gives us a set of 18 projects decorated with a huge cast of "wee folk". Try her pirate or fairy and apply them to some of your own work or her projects. All the figures and their clothing have patterns and ideas for finishing. Also includes ideas for felt pins, purses, pillows etc. This is a truly unique book for the avid crafter. 80 pages, soft cover. Please note this is not a "how to felt book", but rather a book with charming ideas on how to use your self made or store-bought wool felt.

$23.95   Quantity  

 

Crafting on the Go: Felt, Sixth and Spring

Using commercially available felt to craft household items and personal decorations is not new, but this collection of projects is new. Easy enough to make with children, but also designed with attention to stitchery detail and are fun to make for gifts. Compact, well illustrated patterns and photos for each project. 96 pages

$12.95   Quantity  

 Be safe: Felting needle are not toys and do not belong

in the hands of children.

 

Felting with Felting Needles

Felting needles will enable you to create felt without the use of water or detergent. I allows you to felt or “sculpt” your work, add fine details and let your imagination run free. It is the prefect way to explore your fiber fantasies and create, create, create!

How do Felting Needles work?

These little needles have been used for many years in the creation of commercial felt and are now being discovered by individual felters. A felting needle has small “barbs” or “burrs” on the shaft which, when it penetrates the wool catches the scales of the wool thus felting it. This “up and down” or “punch” motion creates friction and thus felts the wool.

What can I felt with a Felting Needle?

What can you not? Start out with a small project such as a coaster, a soap cover or a small critter. Then let your imagination run wild. You can create fine lacy scarves, fantasy figurines, toys, vests…

Felting with Soap and Water

Woolen fibers that are submerged in hot soapy water can be felted by rubbing and kneading. The friction plus heats opens the scales of the wool, allowing them to bond with each other permanently.

           How does Felting with Water and Soap work?

Felt is formed when sheep's' wool or animal fur is subjected to heat, moisture and pressure or agitation. Soap, or an alkaline environment, helps the felting process. Heat and moisture cause the outer scales along the fiber to open, and the soap allows the fibers to slide easily over one another thereby causing them to become entangled, thus producing felt.

  What Fiber do I need?

As a rule of thumb you will experience that a finer wool will felt faster, meaning that a merino will felt a lot faster than a Romney for example. So…does that mean I always want to use the finest fiber I can? No, not necessarily, a coarser fiber, even though it may take longer to felt has it’s advantages: the created felt will be thicker and will be able to withstand wear better, which may be of advantage of items that are being used a lot (slipper soles, coasters etc) So, why don’t  I just use real coarse fiber then for everything? Well, you could, but no one will love a scratch coarse scarf no matter how much love you put into its creation.

So…the bottom line is: Your fiber choice depends on your project and may vary. Just make sure you do not purchase super wash fibers or else you will be tying to make felt for the longest time J

 

Felt in Past and Present

The oldest archaeological finds containing evidence of the use of felt are in Turkey . Wall paintings that date from 6500 to 3000 B.C. have been found which have the motif of felt applique. At Pazyryk in Southern Siberia archeological evidence of felt was found inside a frozen tomb of a nomadic tribal chief that dates from the fifth century B.C. The evidence from this find shows a highly developed technology for wool felting. (These felts are in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Some pieces can be seen on the museums web site, www.hermitagemuseum.org The Romans and Greeks knew of felt. Roman soldiers were equipped with felt breastplates (for protection from arrows), tunics, boots and socks. The earliest felt found in Scandinavia dates back to the Iron Age. Felt wool sheets believed to be from about 500 A.D. were found covering a body in a tomb in Hordaland , Norway .

Today felt is still in use in many parts of the world especially in areas with harsh climates. In Mongolia , nomads live in felt tents called yurts or gers. In Turkey , rugs, hats and other items are made of felt. In South Central Asia nomadic tribes use felt as tent coverings, rugs and blankets. Shepherds use felt cloaks (kepenek) and hats to protect them from the harsh climate. In Scandinavia and Russia , felt wool boots are produced and widely used. More recently there has been a revival in the interest in felt making especially in Great Britain and Scandinavia and also in the United States with contemporary felt making design and techniques becoming more widespread.