felting

Felting is a textile-forming process in which fibers are matted, compressed, and bound to create a nonwoven fabric. It most often uses animal fibers such as wool, cashmere, or alpaca, whose scales on the cuticle enable interlocking when subjected to moisture, heat, and agitation. The result is a dense material that can vary in thickness and texture without weaving or knitting.

There are two common methods: wet felting and needle (dry) felting. Wet felting uses warm water, soap, and agitation to bind fibers; it is often used for hats, scarves, and felted fabrics. Needle felting employs barbed needles to tangle fibers on a surface, building up shapes and textures for sculpture or decorative pieces.

Materials are primarily wool and other protein fibers, sometimes blended with silk or synthetic fibers. Wool's scales and staple length influence felting quality and texture. Common tools include felting needles, roving or batts, resist templates, water and mild soap, and washing facilities.

Historically, felting is an ancient technique documented in Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It has been used for garments such as hats and slippers, as well as for insulating, padding, and decorative items. In modern craft, felting is valued for versatility, color, and sculptural possibilities.

Finishing may involve shaping, fulling to further compact fibers, washing, and dyeing. Care instructions emphasize gentle handling and flat air drying to prevent distortion. Felting remains popular in studios and classrooms for both functional textiles and art.