Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I am a beginner in the world of needle felting and the possibilities for projects seem endless. I love the idea of a few small projects to complete based on the season, as this book is organized, so it's right up my alley. A true beginner book, a discussion of tools, materials, and techniques proceeds the projects. Not only does Gretel list which tools you will need, but also explains why she chooses the ones she does (Marino wool over other options, etc). The projects are adorable, the instructions are clear, and the accompanying pictures are very helpful.

NetGalley, Sara Herrman

Featured in the article: 'How to make... needlefelt doglets'

The Best of Mollie Makes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Gretel Parker is an outstanding needle felter and I have admired her work for a long time. I bought her previous book, Little Needle-Felt Animals, which is great, and will surely buy her newest one, Decorative Needle Felting Projects. She is an amazing artist and her designs are always adorable.

The book is divided into the four seasons with five projects per season. Parker begins with a thorough discussion of tools and techniques, including layering wool and stitching, darning, patching and beading on to felt and more. There are so many projects that I want to try like bunny pops, lollipop trees, hill landscapes, adorable birds, and gingerbread wonderland. I’ve never sewed onto felt or attached beads so the instruction was very useful to me as I would like to try these techniques. For each project there are big photos and accompanying text telling you how to proceed. I find that Parker is meticulous in her instructions so this book is both appropriate for a beginner as well as a more advanced felter. You will definitely find multiple projects in this book that you will want to make! I love how she decorates her needle felted objects with patches, stitching and beads.

Just like her first book, Decorative Needle Felting Projects is a keeper and I am excited to try the projects. Ms. Parker has a lot to teach us and I am thrilled to be a “student” of her’s through her books.

NetGalley, Holly Cole

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a beginner who has wanted to try wool felting for ages, I thought this was a wonderful introduction to the craft, it broke it down into easy and understandable instructions, it’s full of great projects, it’s appealing and open in its presentation, this makes it such a joy to begin.

NetGalley, Tara Keating

Having been on a course to make a needle felted picture, I had a fair idea of the tools and materials used in this book, but had never attempted a 3D sculpture.

Each project has clear pictorial and written instructions. Lovely illustrations throughout the book. Adore the squirrel brooch, the love birds and the advent bells.

Took a little practice to get my projects looking as well shaped as those of the author, but I am determined to practice and I hate to say it, but I may have found yet another favourite crafting hobby.

Amazon Customer, Jayne

I don't really know what needle felting is - but Gretel Parker's book will guide you through the basics in spectacular fashion.

Books Monthly

As featured in

Craft Focus

Decorative Needle Felting Projects is divided into projects representing the 4 main seasons with 20 projects to follow.

The book begins with an introduction that explains how to follow the patterns, tools required, and techniques. Each of the techniques comes with stepped instructions and full-colour photographs.

The projects themselves provide a difficulty level: easy, medium, or medium/hard It gives a list of materials required, tips, and numbered steps with accompanying colour photographs. At the rear of the book is a list of suppliers.

Included in the projects are brooches, garlands, eggs, Christmas decorations, and more cute items. There are certainly enough to cute items to choose from and get you started in needle felting.

I've had some felting kits before, but often they can with a foam shell that you put the felting onto - this book requires you to create the shapes yourself, which is much more fun!

NetGalley, Samantha Stroud

With lots of cute projects and advice this is a great book for someone who wants to take up needle felting. There are great tips and support with easy projects.

NetGalley, Kate Keaveny

Decorative Needle Felting Projects has fully illustrated instructions showing how to turn wool into cute designs for your home and jewelry chest.

The book begins with an extensive section on tools and techniques. It then includes twenty projects: five per season. They include Easter eggs for Spring, a brooch for Summer, a bangle for Autumn and a tree topper for Winter.

To be honest, I didn’t realize how difficult it is to felt wool. However, the author breaks down the work into easy-to-follow steps. If you have an interest in learning a unique craft, check out Decorative Needle Felting Projects. 4 stars!

NetGalley, Diane Hernandez

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Oh my goodness there are adorable!! I love the step by step instructions with pictures for each of the steps. The creations are so cute and unique as well! I adore the chicken, eggs, lollipop trees, squirrel, okay they are all cute and it is hard to choose a favorite! Separating by season was a nice touch as well.

NetGalley, Kate Z

As featured in

Simply Crochet

Decorative Needle Felting Projects does a great job of laying out all the tools and methods to make felted needle projects. Lots of adorable projects to try out with plenty of pictures to help you follow. I am eager to get started.

NetGalley, Stacy Saul

I really enjoyed reading decorative needle felting projects. It is well illustrated and well laid out. I learnt a lot from it.

NetGalley, Laura Fayle

Fun projects and easy to follow instructions make this a great starter craft book. People interested in trying out needle felting would be well-served by this book.

NetGalley, Aimee Meuchel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A delightfully handy book for lovers of needle felting. Perfect for beginners those thinking of dabbling in this whimsical art. The possibilities are endless!

NetGalley, Samantha Hehr

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What a jem and a treasure of a book about needle felting art! Gretal Parker is very talented. Oh my goodness the chripy chicken bowls' and the 'slinky fox bangles'! Gretel made an amazing book.

The photographs are beautiful, sharp, and clear and the instructions are very detailed. Even the most reluctant beginner could feel confident that everything is covered and spelled out how to start and complete each project. Each project is listed in skill level from easy to difficult. Most are easy with a few moderately difficult thrown in.

The book of course starts off with what supplies are needed to begin and then each project has the list of what you'll need for each additional project. Each project has Gretel's tips which I found VERY helpful. There are about twenty projects with great technique photos along the way. I can't add anything helpful except maybe more projects or another book because Gretel has it down on how to achieve success on her felting project ideas.

NetGalley, Mik Young

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a lovely book on the easy techniques of using needle felting to make beautiful small projects to be used for gifts or decoration. The projects are a good way for people learning needle felting to practice with an end result, and for others to create lovely projects.
There is a very cute chicken egg cup and some gingerbread cones just to name two. The instructions are easy to follow, fully photographed and level of difficulty (and cuteness) grows with each project.
The beginning of the book explains the basics and it is a great book learn from.

NetGalley, Leyla Johnson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Simple and practical; utterly cute projects I would say! Who wouldn't love those cute little strawberries or the small animals made possible with a little bit of needle felting! Yes, needles do work wonders. This is such a pretty good guidebook on how to make simple, yet beautiful creations in no time just using a barbed needle.

The instructions are easy to follow, precise and clear.
The real pictures do help a lot.

Amazing compilation. Get ready for some easy-to-do project ideas from this new guidebook.

NetGalley, Reading Tamishly

A lovely, simple to follow book on the fabulously addictive craft of needle felting. There is an introductory chapter with explanations on techniques used, equipment required, reading instructions and handy tips. Following on, there are lots of simple and quick to complete needle felting projects, using the theme of seasons with some lovely photographs to illustrate the finished project... Overall a wonderful and informative book, useful for both beginners and inspiration for more experienced needle felters.

NetGalley, Sue Stephens

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The projects in this book are so sweet and more importantly look like something you could achieve with a little practice. Many craft books are beautiful to look at but you could never achieve the results shown and then you give up, disappointed. This is so much better, I can't wait to start.

NetGalley, Karen Hammond

As featured in

Made in Felt magazine, March 2022