Workshops

Felting needles in different gauges. Here's what each one does:

— 36 gauge — coarse and fast, used for bulk shaping and building structure with core wool

— 38 gauge — your workhorse needle for general felting, joining pieces, and layering color

— 40 gauge — fine detail work, surface smoothing, and clean edges

— 42 gauge — extra fine for delicate details and tiny markings

Higher number = finer needle = more control but slower felting. When in doubt, reach for the 38.

Safety

Felting needles are razor sharp and we take safety seriously — in the friendliest possible way. You'll learn the right motion, how to use your finger guards, and how to store your needles safely at home.

There are two types of wool:

Core wool is coarse, unprocessed, and not dyed. It's used to build the inner bulk and shape of your project. It felts down fast and holds its form well. Think of it as the skeleton of your piece.

Roving — also called top wool — is the dyed, soft wool you use on the outside for color and finish. It comes in different fiber types. Merino is the softest and most popular. Corriedale is slightly coarser but more economical and great for beginners. Blends with silk or alpaca add beautiful texture and sheen. 

We will use core wool and Corriedale is what I prefer and what we will use in class.

The golden rule: build your core wool first, then add thin layers of roving on the outside. Thin layers always give better results than piling it on at once.

Every guest leaves with a high quality professional kit that includes the following supplies:

— Four professional grade color-coded felting needles (36, 38, 40, and 42 gauge)

— A needle gauge reference guide
— A wood needle holder
— A needle storage tube
— A 5×5 felting foam pad
— A wood skewer for shaping

— Finger guards

— Your finished piece