needlefelted alpaca
A long weekend makes the perfect opportunity to start a new craft project. I’ve been dying to do something with the alpaca fleece I bought from my Alpaca Loom trip a couple of weeks ago, and I thought a suitable first project would be to try needlefelting an alpaca (fibre) Alpaca (animal) – and I’m so happy with how it turned out!
I’ve needlefelted only once before, and reading my previous blog post, I see that was almost exactly 9 years ago(!), so I think that qualifies me as an absolute beginner again…
If you’d like to try needlefelting (particularly to make animals), I recommend the video tutorials at Sarafina Fiber Art. After watching a few hours of those, I felt ready to jump in and just learn by doing. My fleece was a lot shorter than the roving Sara uses, so my learning curve was a bit steeper than I was expecting, but I got there in the end. And, after maybe 5 hours of very slow but enjoyable progress, here’s what I ended up with:
I started with a pipe cleaner armature for stability and used animal eyes (without the backs), but everything else is pure alpaca fleece. I tried to loosely attach a top layer to make it look more fuzzy, and added a little fluffy topknot as a finishing touch.
I’m very much still a beginner, but it’s so satisfying to see the animal slowly start to take shape, and there’s something extra-special about knowing you’re making an animal sculpture from that animal’s own fibre.
I only used a tiny fraction of my fleece, and I can already see I’m going to making more needlefelted animals, when I have time. (I also have some acrylic needlefelting fibre – thanks Alison! – that I’ve been scared to waste, so I’m looking forward to trying some more colourful animal sculptures once I’ve built a bit more confidence with the basic shaping techniques.)
It’s very freeing to make things in a different way from my usual crochet, where I can build up layers if it’s not quite right, and not have to worry about how to explain what I did to anyone. It’s good to have a new hobby 🙂
Have you ever tried needlefelting? Isn’t it fun?
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muna saigol said
Amazing first effort
June said
Thank you, Muna! I impressed myself, actually 🙂
Jennifer said
That. Is. Adorable! I love your alpaca Alpaca! I have never tried needlefelting, but I have seen some amazing little sculptures made using the technique. I might be tempted, but I am really trying not to acquire more new hobbies/crafts/arts because I just don’t seem able to find adequate time for the different ones I am already attempting to pursue. I apparently need a lot more hours per day…..You seem able to carry on multiple creative interests successfully, however! Maybe you need to write a blog post on the secret to finding more creative time! = )
June said
I wish I knew that secret, Jennifer! I have many more crafts and hobbies (and new things I want to try) than I have time or energy to practice… Lots of unused materials and neglected plans here!
But I almost always get around to playing with everything at some point, so I don’t let myself feel guilty for buying craft tools and supplies, even if it takes a decade to use them (I’m looking at you, felting equipment!)
And my best tip is that I make sure to always have at least one project in progress near the sofa, so I always have some sort of craft to work on whenever I’m sitting around watching TV. I don’t feel right if my hands aren’t busy with something…
Jennifer said
Well, I’m glad I’m not the only one with unused materials and equipment that I may not get to for a really long time, and lots of unfulfilled ideas and plans! Maybe I’ll eventually get around to it all somehow….. = ) We all just need to keep on making! = )
Alanis said
Needle felting is so fun and amazing, you can make so many things from just wool and a needle or hook, whether it’s knitting, crochet, or even felting and that’s the thing that brings all woolwork together!
June said
Yes! And also spinning, weaving, tatting… there are still so many interesting crafts I have yet to try 🙂