Needle Felting with Alpaca Fiber

Introductory Class – Ages 5 and Up

Join us for a fun and creative introduction to the art of needle felting with alpaca fiber. This hands-on class is held once a month on Mondays at 2:00 PM and is perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of working with this soft, natural fiber.

During this class, students will learn:

• About Alpaca Fiber – its unique characteristics, why it felts so well, and how it differs from other fibers.
• Needle Felting Tools – how to safely handle felting needles and the differences between common needle types, including:

Coarse needles – used for shaping and forming the base of a project.

Medium needles – ideal for general felting and shaping.

Fine needles – used for detail work and smoothing the surface.

Star or spiral needles – used to felt fiber faster and create a smoother finish.
• Design Basics – how to plan a simple design and build it step-by-step.
• Working with Color – using single colors and blended fibers to create shading and texture.

Students will create a small beginner project while learning the techniques needed to eventually make felted pictures or simple 3-D creations such as bugs or animals.

By the end of the class, students will understand:
• The basic supplies needed for needle felting
• How long projects typically take to complete
• Where to purchase many of the tools and materials needed to continue felting at home

All materials for the class project are provided.