What is Needle felting?
[[File:Felt monkey.jpg|thumb|A needle felted monkey holding a banana.]] '''Needle felting''' is a dry felting technique which employs one or more specially designed needles to manipulate [[Felt|wool fibers]]. This technique is used by artists and craftspeople to sculpt objects and embellish textiles with [[wool]]. Needle felting can be used to create soft sculpture, dolls, figurines, and 2 dimensional wool paintings. == History == Needle felting dates back to the 1980s. The technique was adapted from industrial felting by David & Eleanor Stanwood. They took needles from a wool factory and used them to create handmade felt without the use of water or soap. The skills for needle felting were passed on to Ayala Talpai who wrote books and taught others to needle felt. Today, needle felting is still not as popular as wet felting. However, it has a strong following with people who enjoy arts and crafts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livingfelt.com/felt.html|title=Free Needle Felting Patterns {{!}} Needle Felting Kit {{!}} Needle Felting Wool {{!}} Needle Felting Instructions|website=www.livingfelt.com|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> == Materials == === Finger gloves === Finger gloves are small [[leather]] strips that cover the index finger and thumb in order to protect fingers from injury. Finger gloves can be useful for beginners, but contact with a hard surface can damage or break delicate felting needles. === Felting cushion === [[File:Felting needles.jpg|thumb|Felting needles]] A cushion or mat is required for needle felting. A mat is used to protect both the delicate felting needles as well as the work surface below. A felting mat can be made out of many materials, but are commonly [[foam]], sponge, or other soft materials that can withstand repeated puncture by the needle without causing damage to it. [[File:Wool roving.jpg|thumb|Colorful wool roving]] === Felting needle === Felting needles are the most important tool for needle felting. They are specially designed with notches or 'barbs' all along the shaft t