When I first stumbled into needle felting in 2006, I immediately fell in love, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make every mistake in the book along the way! Since then, I’ve helped over 15,000 passionate crafters find their groove and start creating the needle felted projects of their dreams.

If you’re just getting started on your journey, I’m so excited for you to flex your creative muscle and join this supportive community. You’ll certainly hit some hiccups along the way, but hey, that’s part of the process! That said, there are a couple of simple mistakes that you can avoid to ensure that you save time and money as you dive into this wonderful world of crafts.

Know your wool

There’s Merino & Mohair, Angora & Cashmere…there are so many different types of wool on the market—do you know what works best for needle felting crafts? Before you hunker down for a good crafting session, make sure your wool is up to snuff.

If you are completely overwhelmed with where to start, buy a kit! Loaded with everything you’ll need to finish your project, needle felting kits are lovely tools for beginners who are dipping their toes in the water.

Although it is easy to get a little over excited, you should always start with less felt than you think you’ll need. Adding more felt to your project is easy, but working to remove felt will make you want to pull your hair out!

Practice proper needle care

Buying needles can become quite expensive, especially after your obsession with needle felting grows (and trust me, it will!). Using the proper techniques during your project will make all the difference in how often you have to run to the craft store!

Instead of moving your needle at an angle, aim only to move up and down. This will help prevent the tip of your needle from breaking off. And when it comes to the short stabbing motion needed to create designs, you’ll want to make sure your needle does not completely disappear into the foam block.

Want another trick to help preserve your precious needles? Make sure you’re using the appropriate needle for the project! Every stage of a project is unique and so are the needles you should use. While everyone is different—and it may take some time to figure out your method—most crafters like to start with larger needles before they move their way down to finer needles.

Keep it simple

There are some stunning 3D needle felted designs just waiting for you! But, in the beginning, it’s best to start slow. Have you ever started something a little too fast and were totally burnt out and overwhelmed by the end?

Needle felting is such a beautiful craft, but there are some advanced techniques needed for more intricate projects. Simple doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, simple can be beautiful! When you have time to spend on tiny details, you’ll quickly notice that those unique characteristics are what set your crafts apart!

Have a bit of patience.

You’re two hours into your project, and that ball of fluff looks absolutely nothing like the felted rabbit you thought you were creating. Sigh! Most crafters find that projects don’t come together until the last second, so no need to fret.

As a beginner, it can feel frustrating but don’t jump the gun! Just remember that in the early stages, you might create loads of pieces that look dismembered and disheveled. In a few weeks or months, you’ll look back at those projects and smile remembering just how far you’ve come.

If you cruise through Youtube, you’ll find loads of tutorials that tell you how to nail crafts down in less than an hour. As crafters, we needle felt because it’s a stress reliever, it lets our creative juices flow, and it’s something that we love to do. So, what’s the rush? Take your time and enjoy all of the mistakes and setbacks. When it becomes too much, put your project down, and pick it up tomorrow!

This is just a warning to you; needle felting is highly addictive! And as a beginner, I’m so excited for you and this journey you’re about to embark on. If you’re ready to take your crafting to the next level, we’d love to have you join the Bear Creek Felting Academy. With a supportive community of needle felters, and techniques, tips, and feedback from me, you’ll be ready for any project you can dream up!