What Do You Really Need?

If you've been thinking about trying needle felting, you may have looked at all the different needles, mats, wool, and tools available and wondered where you're even supposed to start.

The good news is that you really don't need very much!

When I first started needle felting, I bought an inexpensive kit from Amazon and pretty much jumped in without knowing much about what I was doing. Over the years - and after a whole lot of poking wool - I've figured out which tools I reach for all the time and which ones are nice to have but definitely aren't necessary when you're getting started.

So let's start with the basics.

What Do You Actually Need to Start Needle Felting?

At its simplest, you need just a few things:

Wool

Felting needles

A surface to felt on

Finger guards (technically optional, but I highly recommend them!)

That's really enough to get you started.

There are plenty of other tools that can make certain jobs easier, and we'll talk about some of those in another post. But if you're brand new to needle felting, don't feel like you need to go out and buy everything you see.

A Needle Felting Mat or Work Surface

You need something underneath your project while you're felting. You don't want to needle felt directly against a hard surface because felting needles are very thin and fragile - and broken needles are something you'll probably become familiar with when you're first learning!

A basic foam felting mat works just fine when you're getting started. Wool mats are another option, and even a piece of Styrofoam can work in a pinch, although it tends to break down over time.

One little trick I like is placing a piece of inexpensive craft felt over my work surface.

Why?

If I've been working with dark wool and then start working on something light, little fibers from the dark wool can sometimes transfer from my mat onto my new project. With the felt, I can simply change it when I change colors or when it gets worn out.

It also helps protect a foam mat and makes it last a little longer.

You don't need anything fancy. I pick up inexpensive pieces of felt when they're on sale or whenever I happen to find them.

Which Felting Needles Does a Beginner Need?

This is probably where things start to get confusing.

There are LOTS of felting needles.

Different sizes. Different shapes. Different configurations.

But don't let that overwhelm you.

Even after years of needle felting, there are really only three needles that I use regularly:

36 Triangle – This is a larger needle that I like to use when I'm starting a project and working with core wool.

38 Triangle – This is my workhorse. It's the needle I probably use more than any other.

40 Spiral – I use this finer needle mostly for finishing and getting a smoother surface.

One thing that's a little confusing at first is that the larger the needle number, the finer the needle. So a 40 is finer than a 36.

There are many other felting needles available, and they all have different purposes. You'll probably experiment with some of them as you learn.

But if you're just getting started, don't feel like you need every felting needle out there. These three will take you a long way.

A Word About Cheap Felting Needles

If you buy one of the inexpensive beginner sets online, the needles may simply be labeled something like small, medium and large rather than giving you the actual gauge and type.

They'll work to get you started, but once you decide you enjoy needle felting, I recommend buying your needles from a felting supplier where you know exactly what you're getting.

It makes it much easier to replace a favorite needle - and eventually you WILL have favorite needles!

Please Get Yourself Some Finger Guards!

Are finger guards absolutely required?

No.

Do I recommend them?

YES.

You are going to poke yourself at some point. I can pretty much guarantee it.

Leather finger guards can feel a little awkward when you first start using them, but they really can save your fingers while you're learning where to put your hands and how to control your needle.

Some felters prefer working without them. That's completely up to you. But especially when you're brand new, I think they're worth having.

And, Of Course, You'll Need Wool

You can't needle felt without wool!

But wool deserves a whole conversation of its own.

Core wool, top coat wool, batts, sliver, roving, different sheep breeds - it can get confusing very quickly when you're first starting out.

So rather than trying to squeeze all of that in here, we'll tackle wool in another post in this Needle Felting Basics series.

For now, just know that if you purchase a good beginner kit, it will usually include wool appropriate for the project you're making.

A Beginner Kit Can Be a Great Place to Start

If you're completely new to needle felting and aren't even sure whether you're going to enjoy it, I think a good-quality beginner kit is one of the easiest ways to get started.

Most kits will give you the wool and needles you need for a particular project, along with instructions. Some also include a felting mat and other basic tools.

That takes away a lot of the guesswork.

Instead of trying to figure out which wool, which needle and how much of everything you need, you can concentrate on learning how needle felting actually works.

Once you discover that you love it - and fair warning, it can be a little addictive! - you can start adding different needles, wool and tools as you need them.

Want to See These Tools in Action?

This post is based on the first lesson in my Needle Felting Basics video series, where I go through these supplies and show you what I use.

In the video, I also show you quite a few of the extra tools I've collected over the years. Some I use all the time, some only occasionally, and some you can improvise with things you probably already have around the house.

We'll talk about those in the next post.

You Don't Need Everything to Get Started

One of the biggest things I want beginners to know is that you don't need a huge collection of supplies before you can try needle felting.

Start simple.

Get yourself a good work surface, a few good needles, some wool, and a pair of finger guards.

Then start poking!

You'll learn what you like as you go. I still watch other needle felters and learn new techniques and different ways of doing things. That's part of what makes this craft so much fun.

I have a FREE PDF download available on my website that has a list of needle felting suppliers from around the world that you can grab to help you find sources.

And if you're ready to learn with me, you'll find step-by-step projects, techniques, and plenty more inside The Needle Felting Classroom.

Next in the Needle Felting Basics series: My Favorite Needle Felting Tools (That You Don't Actually Need!)

A quick note about affiliate links: Some of the links I share are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products and supplies that I use, enjoy, or think may be helpful to fellow felters. Thank you for supporting Chicken Run Creations!