Have you been thinking of starting a new hobby, maybe you have seen a few videos on line and are wondering is this for me? Or you have done felting but are not making the time to felt and wonder is it worth it?

Needle felting is a unique and enjoyable craft that involves using a specialized barbed needle to manipulate and shape wool fibers into various forms of art. Here are 5 reasons why you might want to try needle felting:

Creative Expression

Needle felting allows you to create a wide range of shapes and designs, from 3D sculptures to 2D pictures, and even jewellery or home decor. It's a wonderful outlet for creativity and personal expression, nearly everything you make you fall in love with.

Relaxation and Stress relieving

The repetitive motion of stabbing the wool with the needle can be quite therapeutic and relaxing. It's a great way to unwind and practice mindfulness. You can be completely emersed in the work. The rhythmic motion of needle felting can be meditative, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

Easy to Learn and Satisfying Results

While it may take some practice to become proficient, needle felting is easy to pick up. There are many online tutorials and resources available to help you get started. Then seeing your creation come to life as you work the wool can be incredibly satisfying. The tactile experience of needle felting can also be quite rewarding.

Affordable

The basic materials required for needle felting (wool roving, a felting needle, and a foam pad) are quite inexpensive, making it an accessible hobby for people of all ages and skill levels (Children under 16 need supervision as needles are sharp).

Portability

Unlike some crafts that require a dedicated workspace with specialized equipment, needle felting is quite portable. You can easily take your materials with you to work on projects while travelling or during downtime.

FAQ: Why use a blending board?

A blending board creates a large carded area to make wool batts or rolags, offering ease of use and encouraging creativity.

Can I card wool on the board?

The board is covered with strong carding cloth, and is robust enough to card clean wool, locks may benefit from being hand loosened first if the curl in very tight.

Can I blend two colours into one?

You can mix two colours on the blending board, a complete blend will take several times placing the wool on a board similar to carders where the fibres are passed between the two carders.

Can I repeat a blending board mix to create uniform rolags?

Yes, you must weigh equal amounts of wool and fibres for each board and remember the approximate placement.

Can I create large lofty batts or does it only create tight rolags?

The blending board can hold a lot of fiber and create large, lofty art batts.

Is it safe for children?

The blending board has sharp tines that can scrape the skin, so children under 12 need supervision.

Do I have to be a spinner to use it?

No, the blending board is useful for making batts for felting or spinning.

Can you make roving/sliver with a blending board?

Yes, once the board is full, you can remove wool with a diz to create roving/sliver or hand draft wool into roving.

Can I create pictures with a blending board?

The blending board is good for creating a picture base or simple picture ready for finer detail.

Can I use the board for wet felting or needle felting?

Yes, the board can create a batt or roving for felting or a base for wet or needle felting.

A blending board is a versatile tool that allows for the preparation of various textile fibres such as wool, alpaca, mohair, and silk into batts or rolags for spinning or other fibre arts projects.

It is particularly useful for blending different colours and textures of fibres together to create unique and artful yarns. Here are some key reasons why you might choose to use a blending board:

1. **Efficiency**: Blending boards can hold a significant amount of fibre, which can save time and effort when blending large quantities of wool.

2. **Control**: The board provides a flat, stable surface with fine teeth that gently comb and align the fibres as you work them, allowing for better control over the blending process.

3. **Creativity**: The board enables you to create visual patterns and textures in your fibre preparation, which can translate into beautiful yarns or felted pieces.

4. **Accessibility**: Unlike some other carding tools, blending boards are relatively easy to use either on your lap or a table, making them a good option for both beginners and experienced fibre artists.

5. **Portability**: Blending boards are generally lightweight and easy to transport, making them suitable for taking to workshops or using in different workspaces

When deciding whether to add glass eyes or felted eyes to your felted animal creation, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Realism: Glass eyes often provide a more realistic and lifelike look due to their shine and depth. They can closely mimic the appearance of real animal eyes and may be the better choice if you aim for a very precise or detailed representation.