This is my first post of the year, life has yet again got in the way. When I have had some spare time I have been doing various crafts and training Dottie (although she is very well behaved and doesn't need too much training).
Some time ago when I was having a look through Pinterest (so addictive!) I came across needle felting. I decided I would like to try this out and had a look on Etsy to see if they had any kits, there are literally hundreds of needle felting items on there. I whittled it down to two, one was a Swaledale Sheep kit from Hawthorn Handmade and the other was a Deluxe kit from Sue's Country Creations.
The Swaledale Sheep kit consists of a foam pad, two needles (in case the first one breaks), British Swaledale wool, British Blue Faced Leicester wool, British Shetland wool plus full colour instructions with 27 step by step photos. Hawthorn Handmade now has their own website. This kit costs £18.00 with the foam pad and £15.50 without it. The finished sheep should measure 15cm, I thought this might be a little bit too big so I decided to make a smaller one and had enough wool left over to make a second one if I wanted to.
I followed the instructions which were well written and the photographs definitely helped, although I did Google Swaledale sheep, so I could have a better look at how their colouring and shape actually is.
I think the main part of the body was probably the hardest part as you need to roll the felt in your hands and shape it and then start to prick it with the needle and keep following this pattern until it takes the shape you need.
I forgot to take photographs of the legs, these were made by cutting small pieces of pipe cleaner and wrapping the black wool around it and then very carefully pricking it with the needle, the pipe cleaners are used as it makes the legs a lot sturdier and helps it to stand up.
The second box I bought was called a Super Deluxe Animal Felting Kit from Sue's Country Creations on Etsy. The box included 17 different colours in merino wool, 3 Shetland colours, 6 different colour coded needles, a wooden needle handle, foam felt pad, 2 finger protectors, 30 pairs of 4mm black eyes and an awl plus a bundle of mixed armature wire this cost £26.00 and Sue also includes a small kit for making your own bee. Sue has plenty of different kits, wool and accessories and her Etsy site is definitely worth a look. Please note I do not know Sue personally I was just impressed with her shop and also the fact that I like to support local shops/craft people and Sue comes from Kendal.
Posted with Blogsyhttp://www.hawthornhandmade.com/product-category/needle-felting-kits/https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SuesCountryCreations