Q&A for How to Needle Felt

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Question

Is it practical to recycle wool sweaters and scarves for needle felting?

Kira Kitty

Community Answer

Yes, I think you can recycle wool sweater and scarves for needle felting. It might be a bit complicated though. Personally, I would use it for small parts like eyes, noses, and dots. It might take some poking to get it to stick, so I'm not sure if it's "practical," but I do think it's possible.

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Question

Why do I break so many needles on one project?

Sweetango

Community Answer

Because felting needles have notches to catch fibers, their structural integrity is already compromised and will snap easily instead of bending. To keep your needles from breaking it is important to only move the needle directly up and down while you're working and to gauge if your needles are encountering anything within the piece that is causing them to bend (such as wire or a very dense mass of fiber).

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Question

Why is it that beginners should use more felt than others?

Community Answer

One of the reasons could be because beginners may find it harder to work with a small amount and may feel like they will poke themselves. Beginners are also more likely to over-felt.

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Question

If I don't have felting needles, can I use something I have around the house to felt with?

Community Answer

No, felting needles have little barbs on the end and cannot be replaced by using any other type of needle.

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Question

Can I substitute the wool with dog fur? My husky's starting to shed and I'd like to use her fur for something useful.

Community Answer

Yes, you can. You can also 'spin' your dog's fur into yarn. Just pluck the hairs out of the brush and pack it into a baggy to compress it. You can add some wool roving as well. It'll be unique!

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Question

Can I dye white fiber different colors?

Community Answer

Yes; check Dye Felted Wool for instructions for doing so.

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Question

What else can I felt with besides a felting needle?

Community Answer

I have used a broken hair pin in the past, which worked. You really just need something sharp and small. A needle will work best, however.

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Question

If it’s my first time felting, can I use my dog’s fur or would wool be easier?

SunPuppy

Community Answer

Yes, you can use your dog's fur, since it works just as well for felting as other materials and it'll be a little easier to get than wool. Just make sure it is clean first.

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Question

Could I felt with Angora Rabbit fur?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, and also Angora goat's hair. When collecting hair from an animal, you must get the soft hair that usually grows around the chest. This is sometimes called down hair, it is soft and fuzzy. The hard, outside hair of dogs will not spin or felt easily. This is called guard hair, like the hair on your head and arms. Dogs that live in colder climates have more down hair for insulation during winter. The shed this hair in summer so they won’t be so hot. Sheep and Angora rabbits have mostly down hair.

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