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This table suggests needles suitable for various
applications according to what fibers you are using and what stage your
project is at.
It should be noted that there are a range of characteristics within each
fiber type, and definitive recommendations cannot be made. This table is
intended as a starting point.
As your experience increases, your ability to choose appropriate needles
for each task will increase.
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Fiber characteristics
|
Coarse
Lincoln
Leicester
Romney
Coopworth
Adult Mohair
Human Hair
Hemp
Linen
Cotswald |
Medium
Corriedale
Halfbred
Kid Mohair
Alpaca
Colonial
|
Fine
Merino
Polworth
Silk
Cashmere
Angora
Soy Silk
Ingeo
Cotton |
| prior to wet felting: |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Securing batts and surface designs |
Lime,
Green |
Pink, Red |
Brown, Cream |
| Securing fibers (also during
wet felting) |
Red |
Peach |
Cream,
White |
| Defining and reshaping outlines |
Yellow,
Blue |
Yellow,
Blue |
Orange,
Aqua |
| Dry felting (flat and
sculptured): |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Pre-felt stage |
Lime, Green |
Red,
Pink |
Brown, Cream |
| Hardening |
Pink, Red |
Mauve, Burgundy |
Cream,
White |
| Firming |
Mauve |
Peach |
Gold |
| Finishing |
Yellow,
Orange |
Orange,
White |
Orange,
Grey |
| Flat felt: |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Thickening thin areas |
Pink |
Gold |
Gold |
| Joining flat felt pieces together,
blending |
Red |
Peach |
Yellow,
White |
| Thin felt holding the needle sideways |
Burgundy |
Cream |
White |
| Sculpturing: |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Shaping |
Pink, Red |
Mauve,
Peach |
Cream,
White |
| Making deep depressions |
Green,
Blue |
Peach,
Brown |
Brown,
Aqua |
| Deep felting |
Pink,
Mauve |
Mauve,
Burgundy |
Gold,
Cream |
| Joining pieces |
Mauve,
Pink |
Peach,
Burgundy |
White,
Cream |
| Securing around wire or pipe
cleaner |
Red |
Peach,
Orange |
Grey |
| Surface texturing: |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Veneering |
Yellow |
Yellow,
Orange |
Orange,
Grey |
| Adding preformed pieces |
Pink |
Burgundy |
Cream |
| Appliqué |
Yellow,
Orange |
Orange |
Grey |
| Creating hairy textures |
Lime, Green |
Green |
Brown |
| Creating looped textures |
Blue |
Blue, Aqua |
Aqua |
| Outlining with yarn or reshaping outlines |
Yellow,
Orange |
Yellow,
White |
Orange,
Grey |
| Moving wool sideways |
Blue |
Blue,
Aqua |
Aqua |
| Minimal distortion |
Orange |
White |
Grey |
| Rooting doll's hair: |
Coarse |
Medium
|
Fine |
| Vinyl (plastic) heads |
Green,
Blue |
Mauve,
Burgundy |
|
| fabric heads (stuffed) |
Blue |
Red, Cream |
Peach,
White |
| solid felt heads |
Green,
Blue |
Brown,
Aqua |
Brown |
for needle descriptions choose the colour of the
needle you are looking for in the navigation bar
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