What you’ll need:
100% Wool Batting
Brown Wool
Barbed Felting Needle
Foam Felting Pad
Black Beads
Needle & Thread
Black Clay Nose (You can find tutorial under Needle Felting. This is optional. You can substitute black wool. )
I never know exactly how I’m going to make something when I start. There is a lot of trial and error. This craft is very forgiving. Too little wool, add more. Too much? Just snip a chunk off with your scissors. Don’t be afraid to play around with it.
Here is my starting point. One chunk of batting and a barbed needle (38 gauge).
Now, start randomly poking the wool until you start to form a rough shape. That’s the beginning of the head, torso and back legs.
A little further along.
I need to get some front legs on!
I made a flat piece of felted wool that I’m attaching for ears. Will cut off excess wool after it’s secured. Start forming face.
Forming face. Now I need to sew in some black beads before I get any further. I stick a needle in through the back of the head and poke out near the eye socket. I push the needle back in and tie it in the back of the head. I cover the thread in the back with a light layer of wool.
I added some colored fur and eyelids. I glued on a clay nose and poked in the mouth and wrinkles more. I also added a few strands of grew wool to accent the mouth. To make wrinkles, just poke in a line repeatedly.
January 19, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I am one of the most crafty-impaired people on the planet, I think there was some discussion about starting a support group for those of us without this talent LOL This is just a beautiful piece of art. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. What should you make next? I am a fan of the canines – how about a wolf and if that does not get your creative juices flowing – I always love a gargoyle. Oh how awesome that would be. Thank you for sharing this with us and for the awesome chance to win this beautiful treat!
January 20, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Thanks, Denise! I did a wolf for http://www.ismellsheep.com Did you see that one? I might have to do another wolf since so many people like them, me included.
January 20, 2014 at 4:08 am
This is so neat! I love doing crafts and I’d love to try this.
January 20, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Thank you!
January 20, 2014 at 4:09 am
A cat or would it be too weird to make a sheep? LOL!
January 20, 2014 at 6:45 pm
A lot of people make sheep! They come out quite cute!
January 20, 2014 at 4:35 am
OMG that is awesome! my hubby has always wanted a bulldog!
You should make a cat….or better yet a FROG!! 😉
Froggy
January 20, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Thanks! I have a large cat I already started : ) It’s going to be a panther or a lion. Not sure which yet.
January 20, 2014 at 5:26 am
This is so cool! I didn’t know that felting meant with a needle like that. For some reason, perhaps because I’m a knitter, I always thought you had to knit the thing in gigantic proportions and then felt it in the wash. I couldn’t figure out how people got such amazing detail.
Awesome!
Do a westie next! 😀
January 20, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Thanks! Felting did initially start with people washing wool waaaaaay back when. I don’t know who came up with this form.
January 20, 2014 at 6:54 am
Absolutely love this. I have never seen this done before. Can you do a wolf?
January 20, 2014 at 6:51 pm
I might have to do another wolf because everyone likes them so much! Thanks : )
January 20, 2014 at 5:34 pm
OMG he is so cute… I think you should do either a teddy bear or rabbit
January 20, 2014 at 6:56 pm
I’m in love with this rabbit!
January 20, 2014 at 6:18 pm
You should do a seal or walrus – it’s my favorite animal and I bet it would be beautiful 🙂
January 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Seals are adorable. I have done one of those : )
January 20, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Would it be hard to do a mermaid?
January 21, 2014 at 12:57 am
I honestly don’t know how it would come out. I’m not sure the wool would look as good on a mermaid but I’ve also seen things made that really surprised me.
January 21, 2014 at 2:11 am
Felt a yorkie dog..I want it. That’s so cool!
January 21, 2014 at 2:12 am
Get a yorkie dog. I want to win it. That’s so cool! Creative!@
January 27, 2014 at 5:47 pm
I love doing dogs so I will probably do one sometime in the future!
January 26, 2014 at 5:14 pm
He is adorable! I think you ve talked about making a bat and I love bats. I love all animals but my favorite is a hors. I’m a horse nut so would love to see that.
January 27, 2014 at 5:46 pm
I’m actually working on a horse and a bat right now : ) I’m hoping to have the bat done for the next giveaway.
February 19, 2014 at 7:29 am
These are amazing. There is a place up here (Maine) where they sell felting wool – I may have to take it up. When you say batting do you mean cleaned un spun wool?
February 28, 2014 at 12:15 am
Hi Steph,
Thanks! Yes, it’s just bulk wool. It goes quick so if you think you might do it a while, I’d get a larger batch. There’s a bunch of sellers on Etsy that sell larger lots. Does your place in Maine have a website? I’d love to check them out.
Thanks,
Donna
December 25, 2016 at 5:41 am
I like this curious article, I hope I can make a nice Bulldog and put in pictures of my website sharonbull Bulldogs
thanks for the information
January 1, 2017 at 2:20 pm
I’m sure you can! The good thing about needle felting is there’s pretty much nothing you can’t fix. If you add too much, just cut some wool off. It’s very easy to fix stuff with these and tweak until you get it how you want it. Your dogs are adorable! If you need help, let me know.