Needle-Felting: A Brief History and Why I Fell in Love with It

Did you know that needle felting has been around longer than many popular fiber arts, like weaving or knitting?

It’s believed that early forms of felting date back to around 6000 BCE, when wool was used to make practical items like clothing, blankets, and even shelter materials.

What is needle-felting exactly?

Needle-felting is the process of taking loose wool and shaping it into something solid using special barbed needles. As the needles move in and out, they tangle the fibers together, allowing you to sculpt wool into nearly any form, from flat, decorative 2D pieces to life-like 3D figures.

Think of it as sculpting with clay, but instead of clay, you’re using wool.

Once the base shape is formed, you can let your creativity fly, blending natural or hand-dyed wools to create whimsical or realistic animals, plants, or entirely imagined creatures.

The benefits of needle-felting:

This art form offers endless creative possibilities… if you can dream it, you can probably felt it. And, between the textures and colors of wool, no two pieces are ever quite the same.

Many people also find needle felting to be a therapeutic hobby. The focus it requires quiets the mind, lowers stress, and leaves you feeling refreshed. It’s a form of active meditation that allows room for both patience and play.

Why needle-felting became my passion:

I’ve always needed to keep my hands busy and my mind creating.

I learned to knit from an aunt in my early teens, taught myself to crochet in college, and discovered needle-felting at the start of the pandemic. The process mesmerized me from the beginning, so I gathered materials, found a few tutorials, and dove in.

Five (going on six) years later, I’m more in love with this craft than ever. It’s deepened my connection with nature, with others, and with myself. Watching loose wool transform into a two-inch hummingbird or a ten-inch squirrel still feels like I’m making actual magic.

Yes, I’m the one holding the needle, but when I’m in the process, it feels like something greater is guiding my hands.

I’m honored to share my journey with you and grateful that my pieces have found homes all across the United States. Knowing they bring joy, spark reflection, or make someone smile… that’s truly at the heart of why I create.