DIY Needle Felted Trees

This week I started to get into needle felting. I am really enjoying the process and results! These needle felted trees are the perfect first project. They are super simple to make. This would also be a great project for older kids.

1. Prepare your wood. These were fallen branches we found while we were on a walk. First I peeled the bark off the branches using my Mora knife. This knife is amazing. I use it for whitling and it is so satisfying to use. After I removed the bark, I cut it in pieces suitable for the trees. I sanded the ends to make it as straight and even as possible so that it can stand up on it’s own. Then I scrubbed the branches with a toothbrush. I dipped the toothbrush in a mixture of castile soap and baking soda. I then scrubbed with with a little vinegar mixed with water. My branches were very dirty. I also did not dry my branches ahead of time, but this should ideally be done to prevent cracking. 
2. On to the fun part, the needle felting! This is ideally done with wool roving as a base. Mine was made with a base of acrylic roving yarn that I had leftover and it did the job. Here is a fantastic set for beginners which has needles, roving, a foam pad and anything else you may need. First, you gather the wool and form it in your hands in a circular shape. Then start stabbing the wool with your needle with the foam pad underneath. Keep stabbing into the shape that you want your tree to be in. As you needle felt the wool will get more compact and shrink. Keep going until it’s slightly larger than the shape you want to end up with. Once you are happy with the shape, add your color. Cover the ball in with the color of your choice and start stabbing. The ball will shrink slightly as it compresses from the needle. 
3. Adhere the needle felted ball to the wood base. I did this with hot glue. It is very secure. 

Needle felting looks intimidating but it is a very intuitive process. Once you have the material in your hands you will figure it out as you go along. I caught the needle felting bug, so I also felted this cute little fox. Happy felting!