Something Crafty #5: Needle-Felted Garland

We’re delighted to share the homespun goodness that Polly’s wonderfully crafty brain came up with this week. On a one-to-ten scale of adorableness, this needle-felted garland is a solid eleven. And even though we’re a solid negative eleven on a one-to-ten scale of craftiness, we’re still seriously tempted to give this a shot. Here’s Polly to show you how it’s done!

Wool imparts a homey feeling to everything it touches. If you want your wedding to have a little added warmth, needle-felted accessories are a simple way to accomplish this goal! You don’t have to know how to knit or crochet to work with wool; wool roving is like a pre-yarn. It’s just a big ball of wooly fluff! It’s also inexpensive and easy to work with once you get the hang of it. Felting needles are a little scary at first (they’re sharp!), but I’ve witnessed so many people get hooked on felting because it’s incredibly versatile; you can make some really nice gifts and accessories with this skill. In the wedding realm alone, there are endless possibilities: needle-felted flowers, ring pillows/bowls, place card holders, boutonnieres, and, in the how-to below, fun garlands in your wedding colors! 

Supplies needed:

1. Wool roving in colors of your choice

2. Felting needles (Clover brand is my favorite.)

3. Felting mat (You can also use a chunk of foam.)

4. Standard needle

5. Thread

6. Optional: wool felt 

Step 1: Pull about three inches worth of wool roving from the larger tuft. This should be enough to make a 1″ ball. Roll the fluffy roving in your hand to make an approximate round shape. This is the beginning of your ball.  

Step 2: Place the ball you’ve created on top of the felting mat and start poking it with the felting needle. That’s right, poking! Needle felting works because the needles are barbed; the wool catches on the barbs, which tangle it up, creating structure (kinda like back-combing your own hair). As you continue poking evenly around the ball, you’ll notice it getting smaller and harder. This is good! 

Step 3: Roll the ball around in your hand a few times to reinforce the shape. Keep poking until you have a perfectly round little ball. 

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have as many balls as you need. (Optional: Cut a strip of wool felt into flag shapes and, using the felting needle, add shapes or initials.) Then thread your regular needle with a length of coordinating thread and begin to string the balls onto it. Evenly place them along the thread, and voila! You have a lovely, funky garland to hang anywhere. I love these as cake toppers, but they also look great across doorways, chair backs, and anywhere that needs a little cozy color!