What is a felting needle?

What is the difference between a felting needle and a regular needle?

Just as a sewing needle or doctor’s needle, a felting needle is also made of metal and is thin, pointy, and very sharp. However, the main difference is that in a felting needle, the bottom third of its needle is extremely thin, pointy and fragile, which makes it exceptionally sharp.

What are spiral felting needles?

A felting needle also has tiny barbs on the tip, like a fishing hook, which allows it to punch at the small wool fibers to create felt fabric. The barbs on these needles twist around the end and matt and lock the fibers together, allowing the needle to felt quickly with a minimal number of surface holes. Therefore, a regular sewing needle would not be able to create felt fabric as a felting needle is able to do.

What are felting needles used for?

Felting needles are generally used to make a large amount of felt by using them in industrial felting machines. There are thousands of felting needles in these machines that allow the mass production of nonwoven fabric or felt sheets.

Which felting needle gauges and types are there?

Felting needles come in various shapes and sizes. The gauge of a felting needle refers to the diameter of the needle. The higher the gauge, the finer the needle and the smaller the barbs. Felting needle sizes can range anywhere from 19 to 42. The higher the needle number, the finer the needle is.

Is needle felting difficult to learn?

Needle felting is quite easy and fun to learn. There are many starter kits that provide all the supplies and felt materials that you need to get started.