How to Needle Felt a Small Animal: Easy Sheep Bauble

Steps

1. 1. Roll Core Wool Into a Firm Sheep Body Ball

   Take a handful of core wool and wrap it up tightly into a ball, holding it together with your fingers. Stab it all over with a triple needle tool, turning it as you go, until it holds a round shape.

   Tip: Rough or scratchy scrap wool is fine here. Nobody sees the core.

   

2. 2. Roll White Wool Into Needle Felted Sheep Legs

   Pull off a small piece of white carded wool and roll it into a tight tube. Hold one end and felt the other end round, since sheep legs have soft rounded feet.

   Tip: Lay the four legs side by side to compare them before you attach any.

   

3. 3. Needle Felt the Legs Onto the Sheep Body

   Hold a leg against the underside of the body and felt the fluffy end into it, working all around the base. Felt firmly.

   Tip: Attach two legs on opposite corners first, then fill in the other two.

   

4. 4. Shape a Cone of Wool for the Sheep Head

   The head is bigger than a leg. Think of a cone with the tip cut off and rounded.

   Tip: Leave fluffy fibers at the back of the head. They help it attach later.

   

5. 5. Needle Felt the Mouth and Nose on the Sheep Face

   Switch to a fine needle, around 40 gauge. Twist a thin wisp of black wool.

   Tip: Dark brown or dark grey wool works too if you want a softer face.

   

6. 6. Add Tiny Black Wool Eyes to the Sheep Face

   Point your needle at the face to find where each eye should go. Take a very small amount of black wool and felt it in gently.

   Tip: Use a thick 36 gauge needle to nudge an eye that sits too high.

   

7. 7. Felt One-Piece Ears Onto the Sheep Head

   Make both ears from one long strip. Lay a piece of wool on the mat, round off each end and fold the edges in with your needle.

   Tip: Add a little pink wool inside the ears for color.

   

8. 8. Needle Felt the Head Onto the Sheep Body

   Hold the head against the front of the body, using the fluffy fibers left on the back of the head. Felt all the way around the join, going deep.

   Tip: A coarse 36 gauge needle grabs more fibers and makes a stronger join.

   

9. 9. Sew a Ribbon Hanging Loop Into the Sheep Bauble

   Fold over the ends of a length of ribbon so they are firm. Find the middle of the sheep's back and sew the ribbon on with strong thread, stitching through the wool several times.

   Tip: Do not worry if the join looks messy. The fleece coat covers it.

   

10. 10. Felt a Curly Wool Coat Over the Sheep Bauble

    Lay curly wool locks over the body a few at a time and felt each one on with a fine needle, working around the ribbon. Cut and pick the curls you like best.

    Tip: No curly locks? Fluff up white carded wool and felt it on lightly.