What is the best wool to felt with?

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If you are new to felting, the range of available wools might seem overwhelming at first! Here is some crucial information regarding various wool types and how they're best utilized for your needle felting projects, whether it's for the foundational base or to introduce colors and intricate details.

Keep in mind that there aren’t strict rules when it comes to felting; this guide is derived from personal experiences and preferences! For beginners, it's advisable to start with a step-by-step kit containing assorted wools, allowing you to familiarize yourself with different textures and techniques. Proceed with caution; once you start, it can quickly become addictive!

Common Stages of Wool Processing

Raw Fleece

Raw fleece is collected directly from the sheep, complete with dirt and lanolin. You will need to clean and process it, which can be a lengthy yet rewarding endeavor!

Cleaned Raw Fleece or Locks

This wool has been washed and cleaned, losing its dirt while preserving some natural texture. It’s excellent for creating effects with unique curls.

Tops or Roving

These fibers are washed and carded so that they align in the same direction. In various regions, the terminology differs; for example, in the UK, 'roving' refers to a thinner version prepared to be spun. This type of wool works well in kits and is ideal for both needle and wet felting, lending a beautiful finish with fibers unified in direction. It's widely available in many sheep breeds.

Batts

Batts are also washed but have undergone carding, resulting in fibers oriented in diverse directions. This gives them a chunky sheet form and makes them particularly useful for creating core shapes, as you can easily pull off small pieces. However, they aren't as easily found in the UK as tops.

Popular Sheep Breeds for Needle Felting

Merino

As the most sought-after wool for felting, Merino is available in countless colors, primarily sourced from Australasia and South Africa. Despite its softness and staple length of about 3-4 inches, it is slower to felt, often resulting in a fluffy finish. This wool is exceptional for adding color and details after creating a robust base using bulkier wools like Jacob, Shetland, or Manx Loaghtan.

Blue Faced Leicester

With a staple length of 4-6 inches, Blue Faced Leicester features a soft texture and beautiful sheen. It takes a bit longer to felt, but the resulting detail is outstanding. This wool comes in natural hues, including jet black, and various dyed colors.

Shetland

This wool offers bulk and crimp, with a fine texture that many crafters adore. While perfect for intricate details, it may be too fine for larger projects.

Corriedale

A New Zealand breed, Corriedale delivers a delightful crimp, making it felt quickly. However, fine details can be challenging to achieve.

Manx Loaghtan

This wool boasts plenty of natural bulk and felting speed, but its brown hue may limit its use unless it coincides with your project needs. You can layer brighter colors using wools like Merino or Shetland.

Jacob

Jacob wool is diverse in color and shares a medium fineness with decent crimp, making felting a breeze.

Herdwick

This coarse wool is dense and can be tricky to achieve a neat finish, but it adds remarkable texture to creations, primarily in shades of grey.

Alpaca

Distinct from sheep wool, alpaca is fine and incredibly soft, adding a unique texture to projects. However, due to its longer felting time, it's best used sparingly as a color overlay.

This overview isn't exhaustive but covers the essential wools used in felting. If you're considering needle felting, explore our Mini or Large Needle Felting Kits with everything needed for beginners, or browse our extensive collection of Wool Bundles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wool Types for Felting

What is the best wool for beginners?
For those just venturing into felting, we recommend starting with Corriedale or Shetland due to their friendly texture and ease of use.

Can I use synthetic fibers in felting?
Yes, you can experiment with synthetic fibers like acrylic or bamboo, but they will behave differently than natural wools, providing unique results.

What is the difference between batts and tops?
Batts are carded wool with fibers oriented in various directions, creating a fluffy and voluminous sheet, while tops consist of long, aligned fibers making them ideal for detailed work but harder to felt together.

Explore the wonderful world of wool and discover your favorites among the breeds and textures available!