If you're looking for a creative hobby that's easy to learn and easy to clean up, look no further than needle felting! It only requires a few basic items to get started and you can needle felt nearly any object you can think of. By the end of it, you'll have a soft (and likely adorable) toy to show off.
That's why we decided to research some of the best needle felting kits out there. Our favorite? The Mayboos Needle Felting Kit. With 40 different shades of wool, a selection of felting needles, protective gear, and other tools, this kit has everything you need to dive headfirst into the world of needle felting. Read on for more of our favorites and a guide to help you choose one on your own!
Quick List - Top Needle Felting Kits
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You might already be familiar with wet felting, which is when a knitted item is agitated in water to create felt. The agitation mixes the fibers together, creating an object that is soft but quite solid and durable. You'll often find felted clothing items like sweaters or slippers, as well as felted toys.
Needle felting is the same general idea, but instead of using water, it’s done by repeatedly poking the fibers with a barbed needle. Needle felting is often used to create small decorative objects or toys. Many people find the process of needle felting to be quite calming or even meditative, making it a relaxing hobby.
Some needle felting kits just contain the basics. Some have extra bells and whistles. Here's what to look for when deciding which kit is best for you.
While it can be tempting to dive right in and needle felt an intricate design from the get-go, it’s best to get the basics down first. Starting simple will also allow you to figure out what kind of needles and wool you prefer to work with. Beginners should stick to simple shapes like round Christmas ornaments or owls.
If you like to have a lot of guidance when you’re starting out, look for a kit that will teach you how to needle felt a specific object rather than just a general kit. These will include instructions and all of the tools you need to make the design. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can move on to more detailed objects.
If you like the idea of playing around and seeing where your creativity takes you, look for a more general kit that contains a variety of wool colors and tools. Then, let your imagination be your guide.
Whether you're new to needle felting or looking to expand your skills, make sure that the kit you choose has all of the equipment you'll need.
In order to needle felt, you need two essential items: wool and felting needles. You can't felt without these items, so make sure that they're included in your kit or that you already have them on hand. Felting needles are delicate and can break, so you may want to look for a kit that comes with multiple needles.
Another must-have is protective equipment. Felting needles are quite sharp and can damage your table and fingers! A felting mat will protect your work surface, while finger gloves will keep your fingers safe.
Beyond the basics, you'll find many kits that include other useful tools and accessories. Extra tools can make felting easier or more efficient. Accessories can be added onto your finished product to add detail or function.
One common tool is a wooden needle handle that you can insert multiple needles into. This is great for felting large surfaces and can be easier to hold than just a single needle. You might also see tools like scissors, glue sticks, and tweezers. If you plan to travel with your kit, having these basics included can be very convenient.
In addition to tools, some kits come with accessories to help finish your project. These could include eyes for creating animals, or lanyards and keychains so that you can hang your finished project from your phone or bag.
Felting needles come in a variety of gauges and shapes that affect the felting process and the finished product. Most kits contain a variety of needles so you can play around with them and see which ones you like best.
When purchasing a felting kit, you'll most often receive triangle blade needles. They have three sides, typically with two or three barbs on each side. Spiral blade needles are twisted triangle needles. The barbs are evenly spaced and corkscrew up the blade. They tend to leave less noticeable hole marks.
Star blade needles have four sides. They push more wool per poke and are great for all-purpose felting. Reverse barb needles pull the wool out rather than push it in when you stab. They’re often used to create fuzzy textures or for blending colored layers.
Most kits include a range of needle gauges. The gauge of a needle refers to how thick it is. The lower the number, the thicker the needle. Felting needles typically come in gauge sizes 32, 36, 38, 40, and 42.
Heavy-gauge needles grab more fiber, so they're good for starting projects and felting larger areas. Finer-gauge needles are good for smoothing and finishing surfaces and adding details. Ideally, you’ll want a mix of needle gauges for the most effective and efficient felting.
While synthetic or plant fibers can be used in needle felting, the most popular option is sheep's wool.
Different sheep breeds produce wool with different characteristics, which affects the felting process and the finished product. The best wool for needle felting will be a medium-coarse fiber. Some examples of medium-coarse wool are New Zealand, Romney, Shetland, Corriedale, and Norwegian wool.
Merino and Blue Faced Leicester wool are finer and better suited to wet felting. Icelandic wool is coarse and hairy, which makes it great for needle felting. However, it tends to have a less smooth finish.
When purchasing a needle felting kit, the type of wool won't always be specified, especially if it's a more general kit. However, you may be able to find more details in the Q&A section or in the reviews.
Once you know what type of wool you like, you might see the option of roving or batting. Batting is wool that has been carded (disentangled and cleaned) and then layered in fluffy sheets. Because it's textured and the fibers are running in different directions, batting is great for needle felting.
Roving is wool that has been carded and then pulled off the machine in ropes so that the fibers are mostly aligned. It still retains the natural crimp of the wool, so it will work for needle felting too! Roving can also be easier to store since it’s more organized than batting. When purchasing a needle felting kit, you'll most likely see roving.
If the kit you're buying comes with a lot of wool or tools, it might be helpful to have an easy, compact place to store it all. Some kits come with a plastic storage case that can help ensure that none of your needle felting supplies get lost.
Many kits come with a case just for the tools, while the wool roving is stored in individual plastic bags. However, some kits have a case that can hold all of the tools as well as the wool, which can be great for travel.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mayboos Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | A Kit That Goes Beyond the Basics | |
2 | Woolbuddy Needle Felting Starter Kit | ![]() | Make a Flock of Fuzzy Creatures | |
3 | UOOU Needle Felting Kit for Beginners | ![]() | A Kit for Shiba Inu Lovers | |
4 | Sandy Leaf Farm Fluffy Unicorn Needle Felt Kit | ![]() | Felt a Unicorn That Fits in Your Pocket | |
5 | West Bay Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | A Kit With a Carrying Case | |
6 | Woolbuddy Needle Felting Cactus Kit | ![]() | Craft Easy-to-Care-for Cacti | |
7 | Dimensions Bunny Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | A Bunny That Will Steal Your Heart | |
8 | Habbi Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | A Huge Collection of Wool Colors | |
9 | Wool Queen Hedgehog Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | Felt an Adorable Hedgehog Friend | |
10 | Mayboos 72 Pcs Needle Felting Kit | ![]() | A Kit With Just the Tools |
This needle felting kit from Mayboos provides everything you need to get started with needle felting, and more! There are 40 assorted colors of wool roving along with plastic noses and eyes, so you'll be able to felt nearly any cute critter you can think of.
The kit also comes with an assortment of tools, including scissors, an awl, pliers, tweezers, glue sticks, finger protection, and a wooden felting handle that can hold multiple needles. There's a container to keep all the tools in one place, and each wool color comes in its own plastic bag.
Some reviewers noticed that their kit was missing items when it arrived. Others complained that the needles broke easily or that the wool wasn't very high quality. A few also noted that there's a fairly small amount of wool per color, and it may not be enough to complete a larger project.
However, many reviewers thought this was a great and comprehensive kit for beginner needle felters. They were especially thankful for the extra tools that they wouldn't have thought to purchase, like the finger gloves.
This kit from Woolbuddy provides the wool and tools to felt half a dozen mini toys, each about three inches in size. Choose from cute critters in the instruction booklet, like a penguin or a cactus, or go free form!
The kit includes a 16-pack of hypoallergenic wool in different colors, white wool, six needles, three thimbles, and a foam mat. The included instruction booklet contains follow-along pictures, making this a great kit for beginners.
Some reviewers were underwhelmed by the instruction booklet, saying that it didn't have enough detail. However, other reviewers found the instruction booklet to be helpful and easy to follow. Most reviewers thought this was a quality kit, with durable needles and a good amount of wool for their projects.
This needle felting kit ups the cuteness ante with all the tools you'll need to create adorable needle felted shiba pups. They even have accessories, like hats and purses! Use them as phone charms, decorations, kids' toys, or even cat toys.
The kit contains enough eco-friendly wool roving for four critters, as well as six needles, tweezers, finger gloves, a wooden handle, a felting pad, and phone lanyards. They're all packaged in a pretty box and tied with a bow, making this a great kit to give as a gift.
A couple of reviewers noted that this is not the most beginner-friendly kit. The designs are quite intricate and may be frustrating for children or people just learning how to needle felt. However, most reviewers felt this kit was thoughtful and comprehensive. And they loved how beautifully everything was packaged!
Add some magic to your life with this unicorn needle felting kit from Sandy Leaf Farm. It includes everything you need to make the cutest little white and pink unicorn. Use it as a toy, put it on your desk for decoration, or carry it around with you for good luck!
The kit includes enough wool for one unicorn, as well as a felting mat, needles, finger protection, and press-on eyes. It also comes with complete instructions that include photos, making it easy for beginner felters to follow along.
A few reviewers thought that the unicorn came out to be too small and were disappointed. However, most reviewers were pleased with their finished product and said the instructions were super easy to follow while still allowing them to add their own personal flair. Many of them purchased this kit as a gift and said the recipients were very happy!
A great option for beginners, this needle felting kit comes with a variety of wool and tools and even includes a storage case to keep everything organized. The case consists of three layers that attach together, complete with a handle on top.
With 36 bright colors of wool and accessories like eyes, rope chains, and silver bells, you'll be able to felt all sorts of eye-catching designs. The kit also includes a foam mat, finger gloves, and a wooden needle handle to keep you safe and protected while crafting.
Some reviewers were surprised by how small this kit was. They complained that there wasn't enough wool to make substantial projects. However, other reviewers thought this was an excellent kit for beginners, saying that the small amounts of wool were perfect for those who just wanted to try out a new hobby.
Whether you're a plant lover or someone who struggles to keep even a cactus alive, these needle felted cacti will thrive under your care (or lack thereof). With their colorful limbs and wacky expressions, they're sure to put a smile on your face.
The kit contains everything you need to felt four cacti, including hypoallergenic felting wool, a foam mat work surface, four felting needles, and two clay pots. It also includes in-depth photo instructions to help you along the way.
Reviewers had a great time using this kit, either alone or with their kids. They found the instructions super easy to follow and thought all of the included tools were useful. And because the cacti are a bit wacky to begin with, reviewers were able to let their creativity run wild and add their own flair to the design.
Craft a fuzzy little friend with this needle felting kit from Dimensions. This kit contains 100% wool roving and all of the tools you'll need for a 3-inch by 4-inch bunny. It also comes with embroidery thread and a needle so you can add details like the nose and whiskers.
The included instructions contain step-by-step guidance as well as pictures to help you follow along with ease. And the kit also includes reusable felting molds to help you shape the body and limbs of the bunny!
Some reviewers were disappointed in the texture of the wool, saying it was gritty or seemed to have debris in it. Others wished that more needles were included since they have a tendency to break. Some reviewers who considered themselves to be beginners found this to be a difficult project.
However, many reviewers found this kit to be a wonderful option for adults and kids alike. They said there was a generous amount of wool in the kit and they appreciated the silicone mold, which many of them repurposed to create other creatures later on.
With a whopping 72 colors of wool roving, this kit from Habbi is sure to have you needle felting in no time. There are about three grams of wool in each color, from pretty pastels to bright reds to calming blues.
The kit also comes with a set of needle felting tools, including 10 needles, wooden needle handles, finger gloves for protection, a foam mat, scissors, and glue sticks. And there's a handy plastic case to store the tools in so they don't get lost.
Some reviewers complained about the quality of the tools, saying that they broke easily. A few mentioned that the scissors arrived bent and unusable. Reviewers also noted that there wasn't a lot of wool per color, so this kit is best for small projects.
However, many reviewers thought this kit was a perfect way to get started with needle felting. They loved the huge variety of colors and found all of the included tools to be very useful.
This kit from Wool Queen has everything you need to make your own little hedgehog. Having a real live pet hedgehog can require a lot of care, but this adorable needle felted critter just needs a couple of hours of work to be finished. And, he won't prick your fingers when you hold him!
The kit includes just the basics: wool, two needles, and a foam pad. The step-by-step instructions have plenty of photos so you can easily follow along. You can make just the hedgehog or add a little apple for him to munch on.
A couple of reviewers didn't receive the correct wool color or amount in their package. Others wished that the kit included finger protection since the needles are very sharp. However, many reviewers found this project to be fairly quick and easy, and loved their finished hedgehog.
If you prefer to purchase your wool separately but still need needle felting tools, this kit is perfect. It contains 60 needles in three different sizes so you can felt large areas and small details with ease. It also comes with two wooden felting handles that can hold multiple needles.
In addition, you'll find other useful tools like an awl, scissors, finger gloves, and a foam pad to protect your work surface. The needles come in tubes so you're not at risk of losing them, and all of the tools fit nicely into a plastic carrying case for easy storage.
A few reviewers had complaints about the needles, saying that they broke easily or were dull. Others found that the needles didn't fit well into the wooden handle because the holes were off-center.
However, most reviewers thought this was a solid kit. They appreciated that it contained a large number of needles in case of breakage and liked the three sizes. They also said the awl was a thoughtful addition that they found to be quite useful in their felting.
Needle felting kits can be geared towards crafters of all experience levels, so not all of them include instructions. If you're just starting out, here are some helpful tips!
Felting needles are sharp and fragile, so you’ll want a soft but resilient surface to work on. One option is to use towels or cushions that you already have at home. Alternately, you can use a felting mat made specifically for this purpose.
Some mats have a brush-like surface that allows your project to sit on top of the bristles and the needle to penetrate beneath. Other felting mats are made of dense foam. Most kits come with a mat included.
Some needle felting kits provide in-depth instruction booklets, but not all of them do. If you find that you're having trouble getting started, creating a certain shape, or getting a specific texture, the internet can be a huge help.
With a quick search, you'll be able to find a number of helpful videos and websites. Here's a YouTube video that we thought was very helpful for beginners!
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way to needle felt; a lot of it is up to personal preference.
Play around with different types of needles and different types of wool to find a combination that you like. Needle kits usually come with a variety of needles and wool so you don’t have to purchase everything individually, and are an excellent option for beginners!
There's no lack of fun hobbies to fill your free time with. Here are some more kits to get you started on your next creative project.
No. 1: Mayboos|Needle Felting Kit
No. 2: Woolbuddy|Needle Felting Starter Kit
No. 3: UOOU|Needle Felting Kit for Beginners
No. 4: Sandy Leaf Farm|Fluffy Unicorn Needle Felt Kit
No. 5: West Bay|Needle Felting Kit
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