Wool for felting – which is suitable?

Felting is a fascinating craft technique in which loose wool is transformed into stable yet soft pieces through friction, moisture, and heat. Choosing the right wool is crucial for a successful result. In this article, you'll learn which types of wool are particularly well-suited for felting and which products from Handarbeiten.de are recommended for this purpose.

Which wool is suitable for felting?

Not all wool is suitable for felting. Crucially, the fibers must have a natural scaly structure that can interlock when exposed to moisture and friction. Natural, untreated virgin wool without superwash treatment is therefore ideal. Superwash-treated wool has been processed to smooth the scaly structure, making it less suitable for felting.

Recommended types of wool for felting

Here are some types of wool that are particularly suitable for felting projects:

Merino wool

Merino wool is known for its softness and fineness. It is excellent for delicate felting and ideal for projects intended to be worn directly against the skin. At Handarbeiten.de you will find high-quality merino wool such as ggh Merino Deluxe with a yardage of 125 m per 50 g.

Mountain sheep wool

This wool is somewhat coarser and very durable. It is particularly suitable for robust felting projects such as slippers, bags, or seat cushions. Its coarse fiber structure allows for quick and even felting.

Gotland wool

Gotland wool has a medium to coarse fiber thickness and a natural sheen. It is ideal for weatherproof felt projects such as hats or outdoor clothing. Its unique structure makes it easy to felt, resulting in a dense, durable material.

Which wool is best suited for which felting technique?

Depending on the felting technique and project type, the choice of wool can vary:

• Wet felting : Coarse to medium-fine wools such as mountain sheep or Gotland wool are suitable for wet felting. They felt quickly and produce a firm material.
• Dry felting (needle felting) : This technique uses special felting needles. Finer wools like merino wool are ideal for this, as they are easy to shape and allow for fine details.
• Felting in the washing machine : For this technique, it is important to use pure new wool without a superwash finish. Products like Filzi from Schoeller + Stahl and ggh Husky with a running length of 50 m per 50 g from Handarbeiten.de are ideally suited for this.

Conclusion

Choosing the right wool is essential for successful felting projects. While coarse wools like mountain sheep wool are suitable for robust and durable projects, finer wools like merino wool offer the opportunity to create delicate and soft felt pieces. At Handarbeiten.de you'll find a diverse selection of suitable wool types for your next felting project.

Have you already had experience felting with different types of wool? Feel free to share your tips and favorite wool qualities from our shop in the comments!

Felted wool is a versatile material used for numerous creative and practical projects. Here are some of the most common uses:

1. Clothing & Accessories

• Slippers & house shoes – warm, robust and perfect for winter
• Hats & gloves – made especially dense and windproof through felting.
• Felt jackets & vests – often made from high-quality merino wool
• Handbags & Backpacks – durable and long-lasting

2. Decoration & Home Accessories

• Seat cushions & chair covers – pleasantly soft and heat-insulating
• Carpets & runners – dirt-repellent and durable
• Wall hangings & felt pictures – artistic designs made from colorful felted wool
• Placemats & coasters – protect surfaces and look stylish

3. Toys & Crafts

• Amigurumi & cuddly toys – shaped by needle felting and designed with great attention to detail
• Balls & juggling balls – soft, yet sturdy and perfect for children
• Fairy tale characters & nativity figures – for creative play worlds
• Mobiles & pendants – for babies or as decorative elements

4. Useful everyday items

• Soap felt – encases soap bars and provides gentle exfoliation
• Smartphone and laptop cases – protect against scratches and impacts
• Eyeglass cases & wallets – soft, yet dimensionally stable

5. Artistic & traditional felt work

• Figures & sculptures – modeled using needle felting technique
• Hats & caps – traditional or modern design
• Flowers & Jewelry – long-lasting and individually designed

Felted wool is therefore extremely versatile – whether for functional or decorative purposes. Do you have a specific project in mind? Let us know in the comments! 😊

Image: Designed by Freepik