Popular Science on Wool Felt - What‘s the methods？

Wool felting methods are mainly divided into three categories:

1. Wet Felting;

2. Needle Felting;

3. A combination of Wet Felting and Needle Felting.

Wet Felting: This is the earliest felting technique used by humans, exemplified by the traditional method Mongolian nomads use to make felt bags. The traditional felting process requires suitable animal fibers, such as wool and alpaca fleece, which are wetted with soapy water and then subjected to mechanical rolling. Initially, the natural lanolin in raw wool provided necessary lubrication, but today’s wool fibers are cleaned, so soap is required. Although we can now use advanced friction equipment and technologies, such as bubble baths and bamboo mats for rolling, as well as washing machines for spinning, the fundamental principles of wet felting remain the same as those used by our ancestors.

Suitable for: Large, seamless items like phone cases, handbags, book covers, pen holders, hats, shoes, scarves, and rugs.

Needle Felting: Developed later due to industrial advancements, this method expands and enhances the felting process, allowing the use of various synthetic and plant fibers. Originally, non-textile needle felting was used for bedding and furniture insulation, later evolving into automotive carpets. The principle involves using specialized barbed needles to repeatedly stab the wool, creating friction that entangles the internal fibers to achieve felting.

Suitable for: Small, three-dimensional items like dolls, ornaments, and keychains. It’s ideal for shaping animals and figures and decorating surfaces with various patterns.

Wet and Needle Felting Combination: This method combines the advantages of both techniques, allowing the creation of items that are both seamlessly formed and detailed with fine finishing.