Needle felting is a technique that uses a special barbed needle to shape and sculpt wool fibers. As the needle is repeatedly pushed into the wool, the fibers tangle together and become firmer, allowing you to create everything from simple shapes to detailed three-dimensional sculptures.

New to needle felting? Visit our How to Needle Felt: A Beginner’s Guide for step-by-step help, videos, and beginner information.

A felting needle is a special sharp needle with tiny barbs along the shaft. As you repeatedly push the needle into wool, those barbs catch the fibers and tangle them together, allowing you to shape and sculpt the wool.

Felting needles are different from sewing needles—they do not have an eye or use thread. They are also very sharp and somewhat fragile, so they work best when pushed straight into and out of the wool rather than at an angle.

Yes. Felting needles can become dull over time, especially with frequent use. A dull needle may still work, but felting can take longer and the wool may not firm up as easily.

Felting needles can also bend or break if they are pushed into the wool at an angle. For best results, insert and remove the needle in the same straight direction and replace it when it no longer feels effective.

There isn’t one specific age that is right for every child. Felting needles are very sharp, so the most important consideration is whether the child can safely follow directions and work carefully with a sharp needle.

Children should be supervised by an adult, especially when they are first learning. Many kids enjoy needle felting and do very well with it when they have the patience and coordination to handle the needle safely.

The amount of wool you need depends on the size and density of your project. Small projects may use only a fraction of an ounce, while larger sculptures can require considerably more.

A good rule is to start with less wool than you think you need and add more as you build the shape. Wool compresses quite a bit as it is felted, so it’s normal for a loose handful to become much smaller and firmer as you work.

For a more detailed guide, read [How Much Wool Do I Need for a Needle Felting Project?]

The needle needs to be positioned correctly and secured inside the holder before you begin felting. For a quick demonstration, watch my How to Put a Needle in the Single Needle Felting Tool video.

The multi-needle tool allows you to use several felting needles at once, which can make it faster to felt larger areas. Watch my How to Put Needles in the Multi-Needle Felting Tool video to see how to insert and secure the needles correctly.

If this is your very first needle felting project, look for kits marked First Project. These projects are especially approachable for someone learning the basic techniques.

Good first choices include the Snowman, Sheep, Pumpkin, Botanical Coasters and Ornament Gnomes.

You can also visit our New to Felting? Start Here! collection to find projects and supplies recommended for getting started.

Each kit includes the wool and project-specific materials needed to create the design, along with detailed printed instructions. Many of our kits also include access to a companion video tutorial.

Some projects are available in more than one kit option, so felting needles and a felting cushion or wool pad may or may not be included depending on the option you choose.

Check the individual product page for the exact contents of each kit option.

Our kits are made with wool from our own flock of sheep here in North Dakota. We raise sheep with needle felting in mind, with a strong Romney foundation and carefully chosen crosses that produce wool that felts firmly and holds detail beautifully.

The wool is washed, dyed, and carded in our own fiber mill specifically for needle felting, so it is ready to shape, sculpt, and felt smoothly right out of the kit.

Yes. Many of our projects are available in different kit options, including options for customers who already have their own felting needles and work surface.

The options vary by project, so check the individual product page to see exactly what is included before ordering.

No. You do not need to be an Academy member to purchase our regular needle felting kits. These kits include the project instructions and are available to everyone.

Academy Course Kits are different. They contain the materials needed for specific Academy courses and do not include the course instructions, since those are provided inside the Needle Felting Academy.

Many of our kits include access to a companion video tutorial, but not every kit does. Each kit includes detailed instructions, and the individual product page will tell you whether a companion video is included.

Different felting needles work best for different parts of a project. Coarser needles are useful for building and shaping, while finer needles are helpful for firming, smoothing, and adding detail.

I only sell felting needles that I personally use and love. The needles I carry are high-quality Groz-Beckert needles, and I’ve chosen the sizes and styles that work especially well with Bear Creek Felting wool.

If you’d like a more detailed explanation of the different needle shapes and gauges and how I use each one, read A Guide to Felting Needles: My Favorites and How I Use Them.

Always use a felting surface underneath your project to protect your hands, your table, and your felting needles.

I use and recommend a firm wool felting pad for most projects. It provides a sturdy surface to work against, holds up well over time, and is a great alternative to foam. Some of our Complete Kits include foam, while our eco-friendly kit options include a wool felting pad.

For the best results, choose a work surface that is firm enough to support your project without being so hard that it damages your needles.

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We are a small farm-based business, and orders are packed and shipped from Bear Creek Felting in Fort Ransom, North Dakota. Most orders are prepared and shipped as quickly as possible, but processing times may vary during busy seasons, launches, or retreats.

Your available shipping options and estimated delivery times will be shown at checkout.

If you need to change or cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to help before the order has been packed or shipped.

Once an order has entered the shipping process, we may not be able to make changes or cancel it.

Please contact us as soon as possible if your order arrives damaged, incomplete, or incorrect. Include your order number and, if possible, a photo showing the problem.

Once your order ships, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information so you can follow your package.

If you don’t see the email, check your spam or junk folder. If you still can’t find your tracking information, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

The Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy is an online learning community designed to help you grow your needle felting skills with confidence. Members have access to a growing library of step-by-step courses, project tutorials, technique lessons, and skill-building resources for a wide range of experience levels.

It’s also a place to stay inspired, share your work, ask questions, and learn alongside a supportive community of fellow needle felters. Whether you’re still learning the basics or ready to take on more detailed projects, the Academy gives you a place to keep learning and creating.

Academy members receive access to a growing library of needle felting courses, including all of my Bear Creek Felting kit projects, more advanced sculptures, seasonal projects, technique lessons, and new designs as they are added.

Members are also the first to get access to new designs and the first to have the opportunity to register for my in-person retreats.

Your membership also includes challenges and contests, a supportive community for sharing your work and finding inspiration, and access to me when you have questions or need help with a project.

Academy members also receive a 15% discount on Bear Creek Felting products.

Yes. Academy members have access to courses for all of my current Bear Creek Felting kit projects, and discontinued kit projects remain available in the Academy as well.

The Academy also includes projects that go beyond the kits, including more advanced sculptures, seasonal projects, technique-focused lessons, and new designs as they are added.

So even when a physical kit is no longer available, the course can still remain part of the Academy library.

Yes. Academy members receive 15% off Bear Creek Felting products while their membership is active.

No. Your Academy membership gives you access to the course instructions and videos; materials are not included with the membership.

For many projects, you can purchase a matching Academy Course Kit with the wool and project materials you need, or you can use supplies you already have at home.

Academy Course Kits are designed for Academy members and contain the materials for the project rather than printed instructions, since the complete instruction is available inside the Academy.

Yes. The Academy is designed for a wide range of experience levels, including people who are brand new to needle felting.

You can start with beginner-friendly projects and basic techniques, then move into more detailed and advanced projects as your skills and confidence grow.

Because the course library includes so many different types of projects, you can learn at your own pace and choose what feels right for you at each stage.

Yes. You can cancel your Academy membership at any time.

After cancellation, you’ll continue to have access through the end of your current paid membership period. Your membership will not renew again after that date.

Bear Creek Felting retreats are immersive, in-person needle felting experiences held in Fort Ransom, North Dakota.

They’re designed to give you several days to slow down, learn new techniques, work through a special project, and spend time with other people who love needle felting. Depending on the retreat, the experience may also include meals, time at the farm, visits with the sheep, and other activities.

Each retreat has its own project, schedule, pricing, and skill recommendations, so check the individual retreat page for details.

Upcoming retreats and in-person classes are announced on the Bear Creek Felting website, through our email list, and on our social media channels.

Retreat alumni and Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy members receive first access to new retreat registrations before they open more widely.

Some retreats fill quickly, so following Bear Creek Felting and joining the email list are good ways to hear about new dates and openings as soon as they’re announced.

Not necessarily. Each retreat is designed for a particular project and experience level, so the best fit depends on the retreat you choose.

Some retreats are beginner-friendly, while others are better suited to felters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready for a more detailed project.

Check the individual retreat description for the recommended experience level before registering.

Most Bear Creek Felting retreats are currently held in Fort Ransom, North Dakota, where I live, raise my sheep, and operate Bear Creek Felting.

I also teach select classes at other venues, and I’m exploring future retreat experiences in other locations as well. Because locations can vary, check the individual retreat or class page for the most current details about the venue, lodging, schedule, and travel information.

Each retreat is a little different, but most include hands-on needle felting instruction with Teresa Perleberg, the featured project materials, and plenty of time to work together in a relaxed, small-group setting.

Depending on the retreat, your package may also include meals, lodging, special activities, visits to the farm, or other experiences connected to the location.

Because the details vary from one retreat to another, check the individual retreat page to see exactly what is included before registering.

You can visit the Needle Felted Art Gallery on our website to see a selection of my finished sculptures and past work.

You can also see many of my needle felted pieces in person at Bear Creek Felting in Fort Ransom, North Dakota.

Needle felting has been part of my life since 2006, and over the years I’ve created everything from small animals to larger, more detailed sculptures. Many of the techniques I use in my own artwork are the same ones I teach through Bear Creek Felting kits, courses, classes, and retreats.

I do not take custom orders. I found that working to specific requests took some of the enjoyment out of creating, and I do my best work when I’m inspired by the animal or idea I’m making.

I do, however, welcome suggestions. If there’s an animal you’d love to see me create, you’re welcome to send me the idea—and photos can be especially inspiring. I keep a list of requests and often look through it when deciding what to make next.

I also sometimes recreate past sculptures when inspiration strikes.

Yes. I offer a selection of my finished needle felted artwork for sale when pieces are available.

Because each piece is made by hand and many are one of a kind, availability changes throughout the year. You can browse what is currently available in the Needle Felted Art Collection on the website.

I also share new pieces and upcoming releases through Bear Creek Felting’s email list and social media channels.