My Favorite Needle Felting Tools (That You Don’t Actually Need!)

Once you've been needle felting for a while, something funny starts to happen.

You collect tools.

Some are made specifically for needle felting. Others are things you discover along the way and think, Hey, that might work! Before you know it, you've got a whole collection.

But here's the important part: you don't need all of these things to needle felt.

In the first post in my Needle Felting Basics series, I talked about the few supplies you really need to get started. If you're brand new to needle felting, I'd recommend starting there before worrying about anything on this list.

Needle Felting Basics: The Tools You Need to Get Started!

Today, though, I thought I'd show you some of the extra tools I've collected over the years-and which ones I actually find useful.

A quick note about links: Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products that I use, like, or think may be helpful for your needle felting projects. Thank you for supporting Chicken Run Creations!

Multi-Needle Felting Tools

A multi-needle tool holds several felting needles at once, which allows you to cover a larger area more quickly.

I have a five-needle Clover tool that I especially like when I'm working on flat pieces. Instead of poking with one needle at a time, I'm essentially getting five pokes at once.

It has a retractable guard that moves out of the way as you felt, and it can also be locked when it's not being used. That's especially nice if you're taking your felting supplies somewhere.

I also have a smaller Clover Pen tool that can hold three needles. Even though it holds three, I usually only put two needles in it. I've just found that I like it better that way.

You certainly don't need a multi-needle tool when you're starting out, but if you find yourself working on larger or flatter areas, it can be a nice time-saver.

Do You Need a Needle Holder?

You'll also find handles designed to hold a single felting needle.

Some people love them and use a holder all the time.

I'm not one of those people!

Most of the time, I prefer holding the needle itself because I like having my fingers closer to my project.

There are times when a holder comes in handy, though. If I'm trying to reach an awkward spot, the extra length can be helpful. I used one when I was working on a felted cottage and needed to attach the chimney from inside the house. It was much easier than trying to get my hand into that small space.

This is one of those tools I'd wait to buy until you know whether you actually like using one.

A Good Pair of Sharp Scissors

This is a simple one, but I like having a small pair of sharp scissors close by.

They come in handy for trimming wool and lots of little jobs while I'm working.

I also keep a larger pair of sharp scissors around. I don't use them nearly as often, but they're helpful when I'm cutting larger flat pieces of felt.

You may already have both of these in your craft supplies, so there's no need to buy special "needle felting scissors."

Pliers and Wire Cutters

Once you start making projects with wire armatures, a few basic jewelry-type tools become very useful.

I keep pliers and wire cutters nearby for cutting and bending wire. I also have a small multi-tool that includes cutters, which is usually enough for what I'm doing.

If you're just starting with simple projects that don't use armatures, you don't need these yet.

We'll get into wire armatures later in this Needle Felting Basics series.

An Awl

If you use glass eyes with posts, you'll need something to make a hole in your felted piece before inserting the eye.

I use an awl.

It's one of those simple tools that doesn't get used on every project, but when I need it, I'm glad I have it.

And if you're just starting out and making your eyes completely from wool, you won't need one at all.

An Air- and Water-Soluble Marking Pen

I really like having a disappearing-ink marking pen in my toolbox.

It can be useful when I need to mark where something will go - eyes, for example - before I start felting.

Most of the time I end up felting right over the marks anyway, but it's nice to be able to make a temporary mark without worrying about it permanently showing on the finished piece.

Tweezers

A small pair of tweezers can be surprisingly handy.

I especially like them when I'm working with little pieces or trying to position small eyes. Mine originally came in one of my first felting kits, and they eventually earned a permanent spot in my toolbox.

Glue

Not everything on my needle-felted projects is attached with a felting needle.

Sometimes glue is simply the better tool for the job.

I generally keep a good tacky glue on hand and use that most often. It works well for things like attaching eyes.

For something that needs a stronger bond - such as attaching a felted piece to a wood slice - I may use something heavier-duty like E6000.

You don't need glue for every needle felting project, though. There are plenty of projects you can make entirely with wool and your felting needle.

Skewers and Chopsticks

Yes, regular old skewers and chopsticks!

I keep both near my work area because they're useful for wrapping wool and helping create certain shapes.

They're a good example of why I wouldn't rush out and buy every specialty felting tool you see. Sometimes the perfect tool is already sitting in a kitchen drawer!

A Soft Toothbrush

Here's another inexpensive tool that wasn't designed for needle felting at all.

A soft toothbrush works well for brushing out wool when I'm making something with longer hair or fur.

Mine happens to have a bamboo handle, but there's nothing special about it. The important part is having soft bristles.

A Lint Roller

Needle felting can get messy.

Little wool fibers have a way of getting everywhere, especially when you're working with certain fibers.

I keep a lint roller nearby for cleaning my work surface. It's quick, easy, and something you may already have in the house.

A Silicone Finger Grip for Cleaning Your Mat

This might be one of my favorite inexpensive little discoveries.

I found a small silicone finger grip at Dollar Tree. If there are wool fibers stuck to my mat after felting, I can rub the silicone over the surface, and it helps pull them up.

That's it. Nothing fancy!

It's just one of those little things I tried and discovered worked.

Something to Store Your Needles In

Felting needles are sharp, fragile, and very easy to lose, so you'll want somewhere safe to keep them.

You can buy needle holders, but you don't have to.

One simple option is to take a cup or small container, fill it with wool, and felt the wool down a little. Then you can stick your needles right into the wool.

I actually have a little container that belonged to my grandmother. I filled it with wool, felted it down, and turned it into a needle holder.

I love that something of hers now sits beside me while I work.

I also like to keep a small container specifically for broken needles. When you're first learning, you're probably going to break a few. Instead of tossing a tiny sharp piece directly into the trash, I put mine into the container and dispose of it when it's full.

My Needle Felting Tool Box

One of the most useful things I got from the inexpensive felting set I bought when I first started wasn't actually a felting tool.

It was the little plastic storage box!

I still use it to keep many of my tools together. It's beside me when I'm working, and if I want to take a project somewhere, I can close it up and bring everything with me.

Your storage certainly doesn't have to be anything fancy. A pencil box, tackle-style container, or something you already have around the house can work just fine.

Buy Tools as You Need Them

If there's one thing I want you to take away from this post, it's this:

You don't need to buy all of these tools.

Start with the basics and add things as you discover a need for them.

I've accumulated my tools over years of needle felting. Some get used on almost every project. Others might sit in my toolbox for months until I make something that requires them.

And I'm still finding new things to try!

That's part of the fun of crafting. Sometimes you'll buy a tool made specifically for needle felting, and sometimes you'll discover that a toothbrush, chopstick, or little silicone finger grip does exactly what you need.

Want to See What's in My Needle Felting Tool Box?

This post is based on my Needle Felting Basics video where I pulled out my tools and showed what I use and why.

You'll also see some of the tools that don't get used very often - and a few things I've collected simply because they came in handy for a particular project.

If you're just beginning, remember to start simple. You can always add to your collection later.

Want to Keep Learning?

If you'd like to go beyond the basics and work through complete projects with me, you can find lots more inside The Needle Felting Classroom. You'll find step-by-step tutorials, downloadable patterns, technique lessons, and project replays, with new projects and resources continuing to be added.

Take a Look Inside The Needle Felting Classroom

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Next in the Needle Felting Basics series: Needle Felting Wool for Beginners: Core Wool, Batts, Sliver, Roving & More