Sunday, January 13, 2013

Needle Felting

If you have been reading Mereknits for any length of time you know I have a bit of a yarn problem.  I am a certified yarn-a-holic.  I have confessed this before so this should not come as a surprise.  If it has anything to do with yarn then count me in.  While visiting Rhinebeck with my sister Claudia several years ago, we came came across kits to make yarn with a drop spindle.  I have kept the kit, but never learned how to use the roving to make the yarn.  I  come across it now and again and look at that fluffy bunch of wool and wonder when I will take the time to learn.  I had also bought a needle felting kit that has gone unused for years.  It had the foam pad, four needles and some basic directions.  I may never learn how to make yarn because I just remembered I had both, so I was all set to try something new without going out and purchasing a thing.

I have been interested in needle felting for some time.  I pin lots of felted items on Pinterest.  I am fascinated at how people create such beauty from wool.  They create three dimensional objects from wool fluff, sculpting and painting using wool.  So this weekend I gave it a try.  Remember I am new, new, new to this, but I'll tell you I had fun trying to figure it out.  I watched some videos and read some information, but mostly I played around.  I decided to start with a simple shape and go from there.  What to see?  






Acorns!
 I cut up some beautiful pine cones I found on a walk with Max and there you have it.  I am hoping to spend more time today trying to fine tune my technique.  It just so happens that my LYS is visited by lots of spinners, so there are many options for beautiful colors of roving, almost at my back door.  I am very excited, the possibilities are endless, that is when I get much, much better at this.  Hooray a new way to work with wool.


I finished my friend Amy's scarf from the yarn of my friend Finula, who passed away this past Autumn.  I have washed it and now it is ready to be shipped to New York so Amy can have something that  Finula once had.  I am not in love with this Noro Yuzen yarn, I find it very scratchy and once again Noro just joins yarn wherever without consideration to the color palate being used, which can be very frustrating.  But it is the thought behind this knitted item, not necesarily about the yarn used for it. 


I hope she likes it. That is three finished projects for me, with my yarn total at 1,060 yards used so far in 2013.  I am crocheting up a ripple blanket that is consuming a lot of my knitting/crochet time.  It may be a bit before that project can be counted.  

Happy Sunday.

23 comments:

kathyinozarks said...

Hi I found you from 2 Bags Full. I love needle felting too-so that's what brought me over. I do not knit or crochet, but I do a little weaving, rug hooking, all kinds of things fiber and I love to make soap too Kathy

Nicky said...

How clever are you! Beautiful needle felting :)

kathy b said...

From tiny acorns grow great trees........

Lovely needle felting firsts!

Finula is certainly smiling at your FO !

Teresa Kasner said...

I love seeing all your crafty endeavors! My friend Shirley gave me 2 felted acorns last year. I'm working on a crazy looking crocheted cat - I'll show you when I'm done. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh love the acorns and the scarf is awesome. Like you said, it's extra special because it use to be your friends yarn.

Tell us more about this ripple blanket you are working on...details woman, we want details! What yarn are you using? How big will it be? Who's it for?

Hugs and blessings to you dear friend...oh, and Max, too. :)

Between Me and You said...

Loving those acorns - they look a little like those fruits called Persimmons?Anyhoo, I tried needle felting but all I got was a punctured finger so gave it up! I've been 'rippling' too. Can't wait to see yours. Lots of Love. x

Between Me and You said...

ps Forgot to say, you're lucky having something of Finula's - no such luck with anything similar at this end.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

I have heard of needle felting but really wasn't sure what it was. I love the little acorns! They are so delicate looking and look like little works of art!~Hugs, Patti

Anonymous said...

Cute acorn!

What is your local yarn shop?

Babajeza said...

Your first attempt looks great. I've never tried needle felting. Have a lovely week. Regula

WildflowerWool said...

Needle felting looks like a lot of fun. The scarf looks great. I am sure she will love it.

Crafty in the Med said...

Parcel winging its way to you Mere :-)

Love your felt fruit ... very creative .

keep well

Amanda :-)

Kris said...

Love the needle felting! And, everything you do!!!
xo Kris

Rizzi said...

HI MEREDITH,
I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO NEEDLE FELTING,
THEY MAKE MANY ADORABLE THINGS...YOU DID A GREAT JOB.....I LOVE YOUR FRUIT.......I BET YOU CAN MAKE A LOVABLE TEDDY BEAR.....HAPPY FELTING.
RIZZI

JCDiTaranto said...

Cool! The one in the second photo down looks just like a persimmon!

Pammy Sue said...

Wonderful job. I would never know this was your first attempt. Love those fall colors. Nice scarf too!

Gracie Saylor said...

Felting is another thing I have never tried to do...not even watched any videos on how to do it. Now you have me curious to figure out how you made acorns, Meredith : )
The scarf is a treasure...especially so because you made it.
xx,
Gracie

Mrs. Micawber said...

What adorable acorns - I think needle-felting would be great fun and very addictive. Have you seen Planet Penny's blog? She's an amazing needlefelter.

What a lovely scarf - the drop stitch is so very fluid-looking and perfect for that yarn.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Ack! Forgot to tell you that you won my giveaway! :)

Can you e-mail me your address, and also let me know if there's any kind of chocolate you can eat? :)

Tanna said...

I haven't tried felting yet either, but looks to me like you did a great job on your first attempts!! We call ourselves Fibre Addicts at my LYS. LOL! Anything we can do with any kind of fiber... preferably wool! ;) blessings ~ tanna

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

How fun! I've seen felting done in yarn shops and thought it looked so interesting and a tad difficult. All that needle punching. I'm sure you will master it in no time. Love that scarf -- the colors are great. Have a wonderful day. Tammy

Cache-Mire said...

Love the needle felting! I haven't tried it yet, but must put it on my 2013 to do list. Is the scarf made with a ribbon stitch (I think that's what it's called)? It is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am visiting you from Claudia's blog. Nice to meet you. I got to try needle felting this past week at my cousin's house, she made a horse and her 6-year-old daughter made a heart by putting the wool inside a heart cookie cutter. Did you stab yourself with the needle yet? I did and I screamed loudly, scaring everyone in the house, including a visitor :( But I fell in love with this craft and want to try some more.

Mary