Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An Introduction to Needle Felting is a fun and well written introduction to needle felting. Five stars. This is a useful and beginner accessible guide and would make a great selection for library acquisition.

NetGalley, Mary Brown

As featured in 'Bookstand':

Craft Focus

What a beautiful cover this book has with the delightful, felted animals on the front. It immediately makes you want to pick up the book and open it…

Needle felting involves tangling wool fleece using a needle to make 3D sculptures by adding layers of the wool. The process of working the wool initially feels strange, but it is surprising how quickly you can see a project taking shape and how easy it is to change the size and character of what you are trying to make.

I realised very quickly that I would need to practice to achieve the lovely animals in the book, as mine tended to come out a little lopsided with funny faces to begin with, but the craft is very addictive and I will persevere to achieve the standard I would like.

Love the owl project with his big beady eyes and I suspect that this will become one of my favourite projects to make. I can already see that you can take this craft as far as your imagination will stretch.

Another firm favourite from the book is the wet felted picture, which involves a slightly different process. I now have a sunset beach scene to frame and am very pleased with the result.

This book is a great introduction to felting and I think if you only work through the projects contained in its pages you will be more than happy, although probably by then, firmly addicted and wanting to make more.

5 stars

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Amazon Customer, Jayne

Those terrific figures on the front cover are delightful examples of needle felting in the hands of a practiced expert. The book is obviously for beginners, but could lead to something quite remarkable.

Books Monthly

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Learn to make your own adorable, tiny creations with this introduction to the art of needle felting. Calver includes step-by-step instructions with photos for each step (always helpful), and patterns for everything from a tiny bee in its own hive, to a mouse with a basket, to felted wool pictures. A good introduction to the subject.

NetGalley, Erin Gordenier

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An Introduction to Needle Felting is an excellent beginner guide to the craft. It will guide you through all the tools, techniques and materials you will need to get started. The photographs are beautiful and the projects are adorable. This is a brilliant book for anyone wanting to give it a go and it would make a great gift book for the keen crafter.

NetGalley, jc Cross

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Finally an easy to understand book that introduces needle felting! I live in a small town and did not want to order a whole kit with unnecessary items. This book was perfect for just getting a basic idea of what I needed and how to try the hobby out! I look forward to trying out more small projects in the book! Pictures were easy to see and to understand.

NetGalley, Leslie Warren

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Great guide to the art of felting. Ideal for beginners or those looking for inspiration in the craft.

NetGalley, Katie Smith

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful, illustrated guide to show the basics of needle felting, both wet and dry, and get you started with a few simple but adorable patterns, mainly cute animal friends.

NetGalley, Markey Olson

I love needle felting and this was a sweet little book about it. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the craft of needle felting.

NetGalley, Laura Fayle

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a very creative book. Needle felting is a craft I have been eyeing for awhile. The creatures created are very unique and going through this book I’d consider it a fine craft. I’m not sure I could do it justice despite this being an intro book. The author did a great job in the step by step but yet another craft I’m just not crafty enough for. Still I admired the skill and would definitely love to try and recommend to other crafters. Five stars!

NetGalley, Johanna Sawyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding! As a complete novice to Needlefelting I feel more confident to give a project a shot. Easily described step by step with excellent advice regarding tools and materials. I can’t wait to try my new knowledge out, a book I’m sure to revisit.

NetGalley, Emma Browning

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was so excited to have an opportunity to read this book.
I will enjoy and appreciate it repeatedly as I work my way through the projects included.
Clearly identifying and explaining the items needed to create using felting wools and also what to look out for, this book is enjoyable, informative, educational and just plain FUN.

I have wet felted before, but never a picture, so I will also be giving that a try.
I read through a digital version of this book, via Netgalley, but I am more old school and will be ordering a print copy for my personal library.

The beginner projects are cute and fun. The author tells us this is a jumping off book and the results are limited only by imagination. She also tells us how to overcome (and not get discouraged by) common unintended results.

I am going to get family members of various ages involved to enjoy crafting together.

NetGalley, Laura DogsMom-Roth

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is such an appealing and accessible technique and tutorial guide with clearly written instructions and colour photographs throughout which illustrate the steps from tool and materials selection through to the finished project. Many of the projects (there are, by my count, more than 20 including variations on the basic shapes) can be repurposed for other uses or just used as they are. They're full of whimsy and charm and will appeal to almost everyone. Since some of the projects contain small parts such as crowns, necklaces, etc, they might not be suitable without modification for babies or toddlers.

The introduction includes a good overview over the basic tools and supplies. The author has included a retailer list in the back of the book to make a basic kit. The stockists listed in the links are slanted to readers in the UK, but readers who live elsewhere won't have problems sourcing tools online or at larger crafts shops. The following chapters contain the tutorials: basic shapes, bee & beehive, owls, mouse, fairy, kitty, wet felting, and several seasonal holiday projects.

Five stars. This is a useful and beginner accessible guide and would make a great selection for library acquisition, maker's groups, activity groups, and the home library.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was the perfect book for someone who didn't know anything about needle felting, like me.
It's a very useful and informative book because it starts from the beginning and guide you through tools, materials, techniques and all you need to know.
The project are richly illustrated and easy to follow.
An excellent guide, highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is an excellent book for beginners. Easy to follow instructions, plenty of photographs to help explain and some lovely projects to get you started. Written in a friendly manner, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.

NetGalley, Tammy Muir

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Super cute projects with step by step instructions and clear photos showing the process. Clearly, I need to make a felted cat... or six. I also love the wet felted picture, like painting with wool.

NetGalley, Karen Ellsworth

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I’ve been needle felting for a couple of years and have read many books on the subject. Some books say they are for beginners but often they are not as they assume basic knowledge and/or present complex projects. However, this book by Linda Calver is perfect for someone who wants to learn how to needle felt.

An Introduction to Needle Felting begins with a thorough discussion of the tools and materials. Calver explains the four different types of wool and there are photos to illustrate them. She shows you all the tools, which are not many. As hobbies go, this one requires a rather small investment — needles, wool and a foam pad will get you going. Next it’s on to learning basic shapes. What I really appreciate in this book is Calver takes it to the next level and while teaching basic shapes, you also are making something, like a toadstool, a heart or a flower, and not just the shapes like in other books.

Then it’s on to the five major projects — beehive with bees, owl, mouse, fairy, and cat. For each project Calver goes step by step and there are lots of photos illustrating the different stages. Next is an introduction to wet felting and in the process of learning about it, Calver shows you how to make a picture. The final chapter consists of seasonal projects and includes a bunny pin, pumpkin, black cat, snowman, and a Christmas penguin and owl wearing Santa hats.

An Introduction to Needle Felting accomplishes exactly what it’s title suggests and does so in an inviting and methodical way. If you work through the book and make the projects, I have no doubt that you will have a lot of fun and be a master needle felter in no time.

NetGalley, Holly Cole

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A couple of months ago a friend of a friend on Facebook (you know how that goes 😉 ) showed a picture of needle felted dogs that was so adorable that the technique has intrigued me ever since. My only knowledge of felting is knitting an object in real wool, throwing it in the washer then dryer (which in normal life would be a big no-no resulting in bye-bye hat, sweater, etc. or, you know, giving it to a little child for their Barbie) and have the resulting object being stiffly joined together as the fibers seem to melt into each other. When I saw An Introduction to Needle Felting by Linda Calver as a Wish for It on Netgalley, I did and my wish was granted. Thank you!

An Introduction to Needle Felting is indeed an excellent introduction, providing the newbie with a brief history and terms used. As well, a list of the instruments, wool, and other accessories needed in order to undertake beginning needle felting projects is presented as well as a description of what different needles do and what you should expect (needles breaking and how to avoid that and avoid poking yourself with the needles(!)) and why you should use certain instruments over others.

Instructions are given to complete objects from the very simple like hearts and an easy flower to more complex like cats, owls, a delightfully cute mouse, penguins, fairies and so many more. The instructions also have colorful pictures that offer guidance. I love all of the designs and can easily see myself wanting to do each one.

The list of resources is for UK markets because this is a British book, but the needles and wool can probably be found in craft and knitting shops locally and online wherever your location.

I highly recommend An Introduction to Needle Felting for any budding needle felter, such as myself. It’s a great resource.

NetGalley, Sascha Darlington

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing book! If I could give this book ten stars I would. An Introduction to Needle Felting by Linda Calver is a complete workshop (or maybe two) in a book. From tools, materials, and simple shapes to more complex miniature animals, this book hit all of the must haves for me. Having taken an introductory class in needle felting, I still had many questions which this book addressed, for example using small layers of roving rather than one larger piece. The illustrations were clear, high quality and helpful to understanding the techniques. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) This is one book that I am glad to have on my crafting shelf and will refer to often. If you are interested in learning about needle felting or improving your needle felting techniques, add this book to your library now.

NetGalley, Cynthia Smith

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As someone newly interested in needle felting Calver's book is a great first place to start! Direct and easy to follow, it provides all the potentially necessary tools and walks readers through basic shapes and how to build up projects for optimal results. Reading the book made me excited to jump in and practice what I was learning!

NetGalley, Amanda Toledo

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I have been needle felting for some year, but mainly flat pieces which later become home wear or clothing. This book is mainly 3D with one picture made on the flat. Which means that it has been a real learning experience for me, the skill to sculpture these lovely little forms are a eye opener.
The book starts of with a history of felt making, then tools and material and lastly a series of projects to make, tarting from simple shapes and progressing to different items such a cute little beehives with bee, fairies and animals and owls amongst the items show .
I really enjoyed this book and have learnt about a different type of needle felting and I think my granddaughters
may have a little fairy or two in a gift parcel

NetGalley, Leyla Johnson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An Introduction to Needle Felting by Linda Calver . More of a mini course. Very concise. easy to follow instructions and tips of how to correct mistakes if they occur. Adorable projects that include a large variety of different styles. Very informative as to the history of needle felting and the supplies needed for each project. Thank you Linda, for this delightful book and for have clear polish on your nails so a not to distract from the project at hand. Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Irene McIntosh

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cute, detailed, and informative. Just enough charm to get someone to start dabbling in needle felting. Explores techniques for wet and dry felting.

NetGalley, Samantha Hehr

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An absolutely perfect book for people wanting to learn how to needle felt. The book is written by a uk based author and includes uk based stockists. The book has fabulous step by step instructions and plenty of coloured photos, taking you from simple flat shapes such as hearts (which you could use to make bunting) right through to cats, snowmen,, penguins, fairies, witches and beyond. I will be happily working my way through this book - highly recommended if you are looking at starting this addictive hobby!

NetGalley, Sue Stephens