If you’re new to needle felting, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. But don’t worry! After teaching needle felting classes and working with this craft since 2006, I’ve learned what can help avoid frustration and improve your skills. I’ve narrowed it down to 5 common needle felting mistakes with essential tips to help you start your needle felting adventure with ease and confidence.
1. Not Using a Needle Felting Cushion
When starting out, it’s easy to skip using a felting cushion, but this mistake can lead to more frustration and even injury. Always use a felting cushion to protect both your project and yourself. Many beginners make the mistake of holding their project in hand while felting, which can lead to accidentally stabbing yourself with the needle. I recommend using the Bear Creek Wool Needle Felting Cushion for the best felting experience—this cushion provides a stable, safe surface for your wool projects.
2. Stabbing the Needle Too Deep into the Wool
You might think the deeper you stab the felting needle into the wool, the faster your project will felt, but this is not the case! The barbs on a felting needle are mostly located near the tip. By using short, quick stabs with the needle, you can felt more efficiently and avoid unnecessary wear on your needle. This technique helps you felt faster without wasting time and energy.
3. Using the Wrong Size Felting Needle
Felting needles come in various sizes and shapes, including star, swirl, and triangle. They also vary in barb patterns, and the right needle for your project depends on the type of wool you’re using. Beginners often get frustrated when they pick the wrong size. After trying multiple sizes over the years, I’ve found that a Star 36 needle is my go-to for most felting projects. It works especially well with Romney wool. For finer wools like Merino, you’ll want to use a smaller size, like 38 or smaller. I suggest starting with a Star 36 needle and experimenting with other sizes as you progress.
4. Felting with the Wrong Wool
Not all wool is ideal for needle felting. When starting out, avoid using Superwash wool—it’s specially processed so it won’t felt. Instead, look for wool types like Romney or Icelandic, which are known for their excellent feltability. I was lucky when starting out, as I had access to a flock of Romney sheep, whose wool is perfect for felting. Be cautious of wool from stressed, unhealthy, or old sheep, as it can be coarse and more difficult to work with. You can also learn more about different types of wool and how they felt in our Felting Through the Sheep Breeds articles.
5. Breaking Felting Needles
Breaking needles is a part of the needle felting process, but it can be frustrating. To reduce the chances of breaking your felting needle, always have a few extras on hand, especially when you’re just starting out. If you notice your needle bending or the tip bowing as you felt, it’s a sign you’re applying sideways pressure, which can cause the needle to snap. Always keep the needle’s tip straight when poking in and out of your project. Avoid using your felting needle to pick at or pry the fibers—this can lead to a broken needle as well. Working on a cushion can also help protect your needle if it goes through your project.
As you gain experience, you’ll break fewer needles. Keep in mind that needles wear out over time, so be sure to replace them regularly if you’re felting frequently.
Start Your Needle Felting Journey Right!
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll have a more enjoyable needle felting experience and avoid frustration. Whether you’re creating a small project or diving into a larger needle felting piece, having the right tools and techniques will make all the difference.
Learn to Needle Felt the Easy Way!
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Teresa,
I have never needle felted but I am thinking of trying it. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I an wondering if the needle punching is hard on the hand?
Thank you.
Eileen
Hi Eileen, I also have RA. I use the needle holders that we sell on this website and that helps me. They make it easier to hold and there is less stress on your fingers. I sure hope it works for you, it’s so much fun. Teresa
I’m new to needle felting and love it! I just finished a hippo 🦛 that turned out pretty good IMO, but it’s top-heavy. It won’t stay on its feet, but falls forward and rests on its nose. Is there anything I can do now that I’m finished?
Hi
I am trying to do a needle felt kit where I have to make a ball. Did one and made a hard ball, but the second will not harden. Is it possible to over work it?
Did you use the same kind of wool for both balls? All wool felts differently. It is possible to overwork some kinds of wool. Romney wool felts very solidly and is my favorite for needle felting.
I am looking for a felting class near me, but can’t seem to find one. I live in Silverdale, WA. ANY IDEAS.
Hi Jan, You might want to consider My Needle Felting Academy. Many have learned to needle felt with me online and I would love to have you join us! Learn more Here: https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
Teresa, Thank you for sharing. All great information and so helpful!
I am doing my first project and it is a dog with a rubber mold. Once I’ve felted into mold, how do I remove from mold? It seems to be stuck & I’m afraid to pull it out. Help!
Hi Karin,
All of my sculptures are solid wool all the way through. I have never felted with a mold of any kind. I would encourage you to try one of my kits and get started felting on the right foot.
I live part time in Pleasanton, Northern California. The rest of the time we travel in our motorhome. Classes in Northern, California would be great but, I could also visit other places. How can I get a list of your classes.
Hi Nancy,
I teach classes online in my Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy and through my needle felting kits. This keeps me busy along with homeschooling my children and taking care of the sheep. I don’t travel much for teaching engagements. Any shows or events I am planning for the year can be found by clicking on “where to find me” under the about tab.
OK, you are a goddess! I just started needle felting and I have learned so much already from your blog. Thank you.
My first course kit hasn’t arrived in the mail yet, but I have already learned so much from the articles and videos. I think I’m ready to begin the snowman kit my daughter gave me!
Perfect! The snowman kit is the perfect place to start.
This is one of the best sites I have found on the computer.
The pictures and descriptions of projects plus learning about you is special.
I am curious if you would be doing any classes in the area?
Do you have classes at your home?
Person giving classes where are you located.?
My name is Teresa Perleberg and I live in SouthEast, North Dakota.
I have a class coming up in August at the Fiber Festival in Fargo. I haven’t taught classes in my home, but if there was enough interest I would.
Thanks for asking.
Looking for someone from California
How do you tell which yarn/wool difference
Hi Lynne,
I would only buy wool that is labeled with the breed. It is important to know what wool you are using and where it came from, especially if you want to keep track of which type you like best. If wool is SuperWash it will be labeled that way and SuperWash does not work for felting. You can find many sources to purchase wool from on Etsy.com usually right from the shepherd that raises the sheep. Start out with some of my favorites and branch out from there.
Would anyone know of felting classes in Northern California ,I live in Walnut Creek about a hour east a San Francisco…..to get started I’d love to take a lessons and make something to get the feel for neddle feeling
I live in Benicia, CA which is just a few miles north of Lynne and I am also interested in lessons for needle felting. If anyone hears of anything, please reply.
I have a membership community called The Needle Felting Academy. In the community you have access to variety of needle felting courses that I am adding to all the time. The courses range from beginner to advanced. I also share all my tips, techniques and secrets as well as chat with you and answer questions in the forums. If you would like to find out more, here is a link that will give you more information:
https://bearcreekfelting.com/teresa-perlebergs-needle-felting-academy/
Thank you, great tips, as a newbie I broke a few needles at first. But as I got more experienced I’m not breaking as many. Plus you 5 tips have made me rethink how I’m going to felt.
Thanks.
Glad to hear you found my tips helpful. Thanks!
Thanks, for sharing your expertise. When being self taught means learning from everyone who’s willing to share. Thanks again!
Denise
Great advice! At first we think the deeper we felt, the better results…felt all the way through…yeah. Also, breaking needles. I still (after a year) find myself asking the needle to do something more than it was designed for. Thanks! I will read it again and share it too.
Thank you, those hints are really helpful ?, it’s really nice of you to share these!
how I determine which needle size is which please
If you purchase needles from me, the needles come on a card where their size is labeled. I encourage my students to return their needles to the card when finished using them so that they are able to tell which one is which. You can also mark the needles with fingernail polish to keep track of their sizes. If the needles get mixed up and you are not sure of their different sizes you will have to go by feel. The 36 will have more resistance poking into the wool than the 38.
I WONDER IF YOU SELL YOUR GIRAFFE IS FOR SALE – IF SO, WHAT IS THE COST.
THANK YOU, MICHAEL
The Giraffe is for sale you can find the giraffe here: https://bearcreekfelting.com/product/needle-felted-giraffe/