Needle-felting is an art that allows us to create texture, depth, and vibrancy using natural fibres. But, as I’ve learned over the years, not all wool is created equal. When it comes to selecting the best fibre for needle-felting, the breed of sheep, or the animal, or the type of plant fibre matters a lot more than you might think.
The breed matters
I remember the first time I was gifted a Suffolk fleece. Eager to experiment, I dove straight into washing and prepping it, excited to see how it would perform in my needle-felting projects. After hours of effort, I discovered that the Suffolk fleece was, unfortunately, quite unsuitable for my needs. It was coarse, lacked the crimp (the natural waviness of wool fibres), and didn’t felt together as easily or smoothly as I’d hoped. When I mentioned this experience to a sheep breeder, she laughed and told me she could have saved me the trouble had she known what I was attempting!
A similar situation occurred when I experimented with Angora Mohair. I was on a mission to replace silk in my art practice, and thought I had found the ideal replacement. While mohair has its charm – being lustrous and shiny — its slippery texture made it difficult to work with for needle-felting. It simply didn’t hold together in the way that more felting-friendly fibres do, even when combined with wool.
Other notable fails of mine have been possum, llama and viscose. I’d also put Alpaca into the ‘fail’ category (unfortunately). Alpaca is a go-to fibre for wet-felters, and super-soft and silky, making it ideal for blending with other wools to add texture or softness. However, it lacks the crimp of sheep wool, so it doesn't felt as easily on its own and you may find it’s too soft for your needle-felting projects. Personally, while I love the feel of Alpaca, I don’t use it in my fibre art.
After these experiments, I found myself gravitating back to the tried and true: Corriedale and Merino. Both of these sheep breeds produce fibre that is ideal for needle-felting: they have the right balance of softness, crimp, and durability, making them a joy to work with. They are also widely available here in New Zealand, where they are popular choices for all sorts of wool crafts.
Why are some breeds better for needle-felting?
The suitability of a fibre for needle-felting often depends on a few key characteristics:
Fibre diameter (micron count): The diameter of the wool fibre, measured in microns, plays a crucial role. Finer fibres, such as those from Merino sheep (typically around 18–24 microns), tend to be softer but may require more work to felt, depending on their crimp. Coarser fibres, like those from Suffolk sheep (often 30 microns or more), tend to be less pliable and can feel scratchy, making them less ideal for fine or delicate felting work.
Crimp: The natural waviness of wool, known as crimp, is essential for felting. A high crimp means the fibres have more surface area to interlock with each other, making felting easier and more stable. Corriedale wool, for example, has a good balance of crimp and fibre diameter, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced felters.
Staple length: The length of the individual wool fibres, or staple length, also affects its felting properties. Shorter fibres tend to felt more quickly because they can interlock more easily, while longer fibres (such as Angora Mohair) may require more effort. Merino wool, with its medium staple length, strikes a good balance for many needle-felters.
Cleanliness and preparation: The cleanliness and preparation of the fibre are crucial. Fibres that are washed, carded, and prepared specifically for needle-felting tend to be easier to work with than those that are raw or intended for spinning. Raw fibres can have lanolin, vegetable matter, or other impurities that make the felting process more challenging.
Popular sheep breeds for needle-felting
Here are some of the best sheep breeds for needle-felting:
Merino: My personal favourite (but often pricey), Merino is known for its softness and fine micron count and is an excellent choice for detailed and delicate needle-felting projects. It feels luxurious, is lustrous, and works well for pieces that will be worn close to the skin, like jewellery or small accessories.
Corriedale: Less pricey than Merino, Corriedale wool, offers a perfect balance between softness and durability. It felts relatively quickly and holds its shape well, making it ideal for creating sturdy, well-defined pieces.
Romney: Romney wool is slightly coarser than Merino but still has a good crimp, which helps it felt quickly. It’s a versatile option that can be used for various projects, from sculptural work to flat pieces.
Icelandic: This breed has a dual coat, with a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat. The finer undercoat is great for needle-felting, particularly for creating textured effects or mixed-media pieces.
Shetland: Shetland wool comes in a wide range of natural colours and has a good crimp, which makes it a versatile option for needle-felting projects. It is slightly finer than Corriedale but not as soft as Merino, offering a unique texture.
Silk
Silk, a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms, is renowned for its exceptional softness, sheen, and strength. This luxurious fibre adds a touch of elegance to any needle-felting project. While silk does not felt on its own due to its smooth texture and lack of natural scales, it can be blended with wool to create beautiful surface textures and shimmering highlights.
Silk fibres, such as silk roving or silk noil, are often used in wet felting to introduce lustre and visual interest, but they can also be effectively integrated into needle-felting to add depth and dimension. Even a small amount of silk can transform a piece, giving it a unique and refined finish.
Whilst silk is the ultimate fibre for creating highlights and sheen in a fibre painting, I made a personal decision to remove silk out of my needle-felting practice. Unless you are using Ahimsa silk or Peace silk, the silk is harvested before the silkworm completes its lifecycle (and dies naturally), meaning that the silkworm is killed by boiling or steaming during the harvest process. I am determined that no living creature should have to die for my art, therefore I have chosen to replace silk with bamboo – not as luxurious, but absolutely fine for my purposes. In doing this I can stay true to my focus on having a cruelty-free art practice.
Plant-based fibres
While animal fibres are traditionally the go-to for needle-felting, there are also some plant-based fibres that you might consider for specific effects or projects. Just remember that because they lack the natural barbs and crimps of wool, they require a bit more creativity and experimentation to integrate effectively into needle-felting work.
Bamboo: Bamboo fibre is known for its silky, smooth texture and natural sheen. It's often used in blends with wool to add a soft, lustrous quality to felted pieces. Bamboo doesn't felt on its own, but when blended with a good felting wool like Merino or Corriedale, it can add a beautiful texture and shine to the surface of your work. Bamboo is my go-to fibre for adding sheen.
Cotton: Cotton fibres are not typically used for needle-felting because they lack the natural crimp and scales that help wool fibres bind together. However, cotton can be used as an embellishment or surface detail, adding a soft, matte texture to felted works. I combine cotton fibre with either white wool fibre or coloured fibre, to create tints and highlights. Most white wool is either off-white or cream, so cotton provides felters with a ‘white-white’ option.
Hemp and flax (linen): Hemp and flax fibres are stronger and coarser compared to cotton. Like bamboo, they don't felt easily on their own, but they can add an interesting texture when blended with wool. They are great for creating a more rustic or natural look and can be incorporated to give your work a unique, tactile quality.
Soy: Often referred to as "vegetable cashmere," soy fibre is soft and has a lovely sheen. It’s biodegradable and can be blended with wool to add a silky feel to your felted pieces.
A point to note: If you are an environmentally-conscious felter, that plant-based fibres can be problematic when it comes to environmental aspects, such as high water use or a chemical production processes. If the environment is something you value highly, then I recommend you investigate further, to give you as much knowledge as possible before choosing the felting fibre that is right for you.
Ultimately, the best fibre for your needle-felting projects will depend on your specific needs and the look and feel you want to achieve. For beginners, I recommend starting with Corriedale or Merino wool, as they are forgiving and versatile. As you gain experience, you might want to experiment with different sheep breeds or other animal or plant fibres to see how they behave and what unique textures they can bring to your creations.
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