Learning needle felting can be a rewarding experience, and with the right guidance, beginners can achieve success in their projects. At Bear Creek Felting, we understand the challenges faced by newcomers to this craft and have curated a range of needle felting projects designed specifically for beginners. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics you need to get started, share tips for choosing the right materials, and highlight some successful projects ideal for beginners.
Getting Started
To begin your needle felting journey, you only need a few essential items: wool, felting needles, a cushion or work surface, and perhaps a few bandaids for safety. With these basics in hand, you’re ready to dive into your first project.
Choosing the Right Project
For beginners, we recommend starting with something round such as an apple, snowman, pumpkin, or any other similar shape. When I began needle felting years ago, I struggled to find suitable kits or tutorials. However, today, there are plenty of options available. Choosing a kit specifically designed for beginners can save you from frustration, as it ensures you have the right wool and materials to work with.
Learn from Others
Each needle felting artist has their unique style and techniques. By finding inspiration from different artists, you can discover the look you desire for your projects. Experimenting with different types of wool will also create distinct textures and finishes. Additionally, understanding the source and processing of the wool, as well as the breed of sheep it comes from, can further enhance your felting experience.
The Beauty of Learning
Don’t be afraid to try felting animals as your first project if you’re excited about it. The success of your initial projects lies not only in the final result but also in the lessons you learn throughout the process. Needle felting allows for continual tweaking, even years later, as you acquire new techniques and skills.
Bear Creek Felting Kits for Beginners
At Bear Creek Felting, we have carefully designed kits tailored to the needs of beginner needle felters. Our instructions and accompanying pictures provide clear guidance, addressing common areas of struggle based on our experience teaching felting classes. We continually improve our instructions based on customer feedback, ensuring they are easy to follow. Our kits feature wool from our own flock of sheep, known for their excellent felting qualities. We provide ample wool to complete each project, and the included felting needles are the same type we use ourselves, ensuring optimal results. Furthermore, our kits contain a wealth of color photographs to visually guide you through the process, and we gladly share our felting secrets to support your journey.
Needle Felting with Kids
Our kits are also suitable for children, although it’s important to supervise them due to the sharp needles involved. We’ve had successful experiences with children as young as seven completing our kits. Needle felting can be a fantastic bonding experience and create lasting memories when done with your kids.
Top 5 Easiest Kits for Beginners
In our line of kits, we offer a variety of projects perfect for beginners. Here are our top 5 recommendations:
We’re Listening to You
At Bear Creek Felting, we’re committed to meeting the needs of our customers. We introduce a new felting kit several times a year, always ensuring it’s beginner-friendly. We value your input, so if you have ideas for future needle felting kits, please share them with me.
Explore the Needle Felting Academy
In addition to our kits, we offer a range of courses for beginners through advanced felting enthusiasts. If you’re looking to expand your skills or delve into the world of needle felting secrets, consider joining our Needle Felting Academy membership.
