At the start of the new year I knew I wanted to learn how to needle felt. I've always enjoyed having a craft to work on in the winter. Spring, summer and fall always finds me in the garden working on a bed here or there. But in winter I enjoy doing handwork. I used to do cross stitch and embroidery as well as sewing. Wanting to try something different, I thought needle felting might appeal to me.
When we were in England last year we saw the most gorgeous sheep doting the landscape in the beautiful dry stacked stone walls. I wanted a souvenir of our time and something to remember our time there always pointed to sheep for me. I searched the shops while we were there and never found the right little lamb to bring home.
If we had the property to have animals, I would have sheep. Yes I would. Well, in the real world I don't live on acres of land, but maybe I can needle felt a few sheep.
There are dozens of tutorials on Youtube about needle felting. Even ones that show how to needle felt a little lamb. After looking at the tutorials, I was ready to give it a try. Finding supplies proved to be my biggest challenge. Only one of the local craft stores carries a limited supply of needle felting materials. The number of supplies needed is quite minimal. Just roving wool and felting needles and a foam pad. My kind of craft, I think. I bought a package of roving wool and a gadget that holds six felting needles. The store didn't have single needles.
So off I go into my first project to make a little lamb. My little lamb came together and was easy to fashion as the tutorial prescribed. I was jabbing away as one does to felt the wool and my needles began to break. I broke everyone of the six needles that came with my gadget. I ordered a set of needles online and was disappointed to learn that it would be 2 weeks before delivery. While waiting for the needles I did more research and learned that my technique needed perfecting to avoid breaking them. The right gauge needle is important as well.
After receiving my needles I finished my little lamb and made a little black faced one as well. I think I'm hooked.
It's fun to sit in the afternoon or evenings and make a little creature that brings my thoughts back to England.
I don't know much about your new craft but it looks wonderful. Your little lambs are sweet and I can see how you might get hooked on this new hobby.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a relaxing and fun craft. I'm hoping I will improve as I continue. Thank you for your kind comment, Dotsie. ♥
DeleteI admire you for trying a new craft project! I so agree...I love, love, love sheep! and goats..I would love to have both if I lived out in the country!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I've enjoyed learning something new. I know my little creations are not perfect, but they do give me a smile. The sheep we saw in England will stay in my mind's eye forever. Thank you for your sweet comment! ♥
DeleteOh, I just love your little felted sheep!! I think it's a good idea to do crafty things in the wintertime. I have a new craft project to try myself, but I just did get all my supplies. I plan to begin this week!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I hope you will share what you are up to with your craft project. Winter is the perfect time to start! ♥
DeleteWhat nice work you have done with this project! I am not one to do handwork like this. Once did a lot of sewing, but not much in past 15 years. You had a marvelous trip to England, I can tell!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nellie. I used to sew all of my children's clothes when they were small. The only sewing I've done recently is in the mending department. Our trip was marvelous. If you want to read about it, I did posts on this blog. Have a cozy evening! ♥
DeleteYou are off to a great start! I am finding it difficult to imagine breaking the needles, but that is because I am completely ignorant where this craft is concerned. You'll have an entire flock before long!
ReplyDeleteVee, the needles that you use are fine and have tiny barbs on them. It's done by hand with a jabbing motion into the wool to felt the wool into a shape. Since I have my new needles I have not broken a needle! ♥
DeleteI just love those little sheep. I have seen a kitten too. I was wondering how people made them!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the ones from the craft store weren't as good of a quality as your new needles. I would say something to the store.
I do go to places like a child, so I can pet sheep and goats! I love to see the goats in the mountains across Europe. They showed a nanny and her kid Saturday on Jack Hanna. How do they climb so high? Next year I will see the sheep in England.
Have a nice day Martha Ellen!
Margot, it is such a fun craft. I think the needles I bought at the craft store were a much finer gauge than the ones I ordered. After doing a little more research I learned better techniques and so far I've not broken any needles--I ordered 50,so hopefully I'm covered!
DeleteI can't wait for you to see the sheep in England. You are going to have a wonderful trip! Enjoy your day, Margot! ♥
Oh so sweet and adorable, Martha Ellen! It's so hard to imagine that one can turn a bit of wool roving into a cute, little lamb. It would be just fascinating to watch you working. Hope you will continue needle felting a flock of little lambs, each filled with love and happy memories! Have fun, my talented friend! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Dawn! I'm enjoying learning a new craft. I think the faces are the hardest and hopefully I'll improve in that area. I'm working on a lamb (with no pattern) and it's sitting down like the one in the last photo. It's quite a challenge! Hopefully he'll come out looking something like a lamb! Stay warm and cozy, my friend! ♥
DeleteNice job Martha Ellen. Our Michaels craft stores here sell the needles and roving. Is that where you got yours? When my Tasha Tudor group tried needle felting I told them it was easy to do. The hard part was keeping your fingers out of the way, as was evidenced by a few "ow"s now and then. The trick to not breaking your needle is to come straight in and out. I find it a very relaxing craft--the stabbing requires you pay attention to what you're doing and therefore you can't think of anything else!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. Hobby Lobby is the only craft store that carries needle felting supplies in my area. Yes, up and down straight is the key to not breaking needles and having the correct gauge needle. My first needles (the only ones they had) were way too fine. The new ones are more sturdy. Stay warm, my friend, it's so cold today! ♥
DeleteMartha Ellen, if you love needle felting, you would enjoy my friend, Penny's blog. It's on my side bar, Angelsdoor. She needle felts all her creations, and they are just darling. Stop by and say hello if you'd like. Your lambs are so cute, and you did a great job making them. The little red house in the background is charming too. :) Oh, you are so talented, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you, Sheri! I have a friend also who is an artist--Jeri Landers you can see her in my sidebar. She is so talented! My little lambs don't hold a candle to her creations! My sister,Susan, gave me the little red house years ago. It's a recipe file, but I just use it as decoration. Have a lovely evening! ♥
DeleteHi Martha! Oh, I'm so impressed. Your little lambs are adorable. I've seen this but thought I might not could do it. It's easy? I've never read a tutorial on how to do it. Can't wait to see what you do next.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me,
Shelia ;)
Thank you, Shelia. There are many Youtube videos that are online. You would be able to do it, you do everything! I hope you are healing well, dear one. ♥
DeleteSo nice to meet you Martha Ellen. I thank you for stopping over and leaving such kind words.. I think you are off to a great start! Your little lambs are very sweet. You may already know this but thought I would mention.. One thing that will break a tip on the needles is going in at an angle.. Always straight up and down is best.. I just know you are going to love this medium.. I hope it brings you as much joy as it has me.. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
Penny
Thank you, Penny! It is so sweet of you to encourage me in my felting endeavors. It is so much fun! Yes, I have learned that straight up and down jabbing is best! I have not broken any more needles since I received my 38 gauge needles. Thanks for coming by! ♥
DeleteHello Miss Martha!!
ReplyDeleteI was so fortunate to have owned two sheep in the past :-) Fraser McGrumply the Shetland, and Sammy the Suffolk. They were fun to have and actually much smarter then their reputation would have you believe!! We dearly loved them :-)
I love your sweet little felted sheep!! I'm looking forward to seeing what you shall be creating in the future!! (maybe a mouse)?? :-)
XX OO Warmth, love and many blessings, Linnie
Hello sweet Linnie!!
DeleteThe names of your sheep gave me a grin this cold morning. I just love those beautiful creatures! Your comments always warm my heart! A little felted mouse would be adorable --maybe they could play with the Mousekins at your place? Stay warm and cozy, my friend! Blessings to you as well! XOXO ♥
They are so cute Martha Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI love your top photo of your sun room.
So glad to be back online.
Fondly Michelle
Thank you, Michelle. I'm happy to see you online again. I spend most of my day in the Florida room (sun room) as it's the brightest cheeriest spot in our home. ♥
DeleteMartha,You are needle-felting, hurrah! You've done a fine bit of work here with your little sheep.It is such a wonderful craft, relaxing, soft and with the added pleasure of (almost) instant gratification; unlike so many time consuming needle crafts. I purchase my needles online from the Woolery and buy them in bulk. Usually, 36 and 38 work best. I haven't had much breakage with these. I am fortunate to have my wool right out in the meadow, but I also purchase some. If you ever want to try some of my "Sophia"wool, I will be happy to send you a bunch. She is silvery grey and her wool felts beautifully.
ReplyDeleteJeri, I am really enjoying needle felting! Thank you for your tip about Woolery--I did order 50, yes 50 needles in 38 gauge from another company on Amazon! I have not broken any since using them. I would love to try some of Sophia's wool. That would be extra special! You are so fortunate to have property that supports your Hollow folk. Stay warm and cozy! ♥
DeleteMartha, Email me your address and I will send you some wool. I sent some to Penny a few years ago and she enjoyed felting with it. Here is my email: jeri@hopalonggreetings.com
DeleteThank you so much, Jeri! ♥
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