Are you ready to dive into the world of wet felting?
Whether you’re a seasoned at felting wool or just starting out, choosing the right wool roving can make all the difference in your projects.
Though sometimes it can be a challenge to get your hands on this wonderful stuff if you don't know where to look, places like Adelaide Walker in England, Etsy, or eBay are all reputable sources for wool roving options, ensuring you get high-quality materials for your creations.
Wet felting wool is a time-consuming process that transforms wool into dense, durable fabric by combining heat, moisture, and pressure. The type of wool you choose affects everything from texture to color and final appearance.
Here, we'll explore the top wool rovings that are perfect for your wet felting (and needle felting) projects. From fine wool fibers to coarser wools, we've got you covered with options that will help you create everything from delicate jewelry to robust wall hangings.
Let's get started!
Merino Wool Top
Merino wool is renowned for its softness and fine fiber, making it an excellent choice for wet felting (and needle felting) wool.
BeesyBee Fibers offers a high-quality Merino wool top that comes in a variety of natural and vibrant dyed colors.
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- Fine Fiber: Ideal for creating smooth, detailed felted projects.
- Natural and Dyed Options: Choose from natural shades or vibrant colors to suit your project.
- Consistent Quality: Uniform micron count ensures even felting.
Note: Due to its fine fibers laying with straight strands, Merino wool works wonderfully for resembling hair in your needle felting projects where you would need animal fur.
Adelaide Walker in the UK also offers high-quality Merino wool roving.
Blue Faced Leicester (BFL)
Blue Faced Leicester wool is known for its long staple length and slight sheen, making it another favorite for felters. BeesyBee Fibers provides top-notch BFL wool that's perfect for larger projects needing a durable yet fine finish.
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- Long Staple Length: Great for creating firm shapes that hold well.
- Slight Sheen: Adds a subtle luster to your finished projects.
- Versatility: Suitable for both wet and needle felting.
Note: I used Blue Faced Leicester to make a fabric for upholstering two chairs. It turned out beautifully!
Adelaide Walker also offers Blue-Faced Leicester wool roving.
Corriedale Wool Roving
Corriedale wool roving, which is known for its versatility and ease of use, is ideal for those who are looking for a balance between fine and coarse wool. Corriedale offers excellent crimp and structure, which is fantastic for wet felt projects.
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- Medium Micron Count: Strikes a balance between softness and structural integrity.
- Good Crimp: Helps in interlocking fibers effectively during the felting process.
- Wide Range of Colors: Available in many colors, enhancing the versatility of your projects.
Note: Carded Corriedale wool works well as a core wool for needle felting.
Also available on Adelaide Walker.
Shetland Wool Roving
Shetland sheep produce a beautiful wool that's slightly coarser, making it excellent for projects that require a more robust texture. BeesyBee Fibers' Shetland wool is a top choice for traditional felting.
Insights:
- Coarser Wool: Provides a sturdier feel, ideal for decorative items that need to hold shape.
- Rich History: Comes from Shetland sheep known for their quality wool.
- Natural Colors: Typically available in beautiful, earthy tones that are perfect for naturalistic projects.
Note: Shetland also works well for resembling hair in your needle felting projects where you would need coarser or more wiry animal fur.
Adelaide Walker offers Shetland wool roving.
Icelandic Wool Roving
Icelandic roving is a fantastic choice for those looking to add a touch of rugged beauty to their wet felting pieces.
Whether you're crafting a custom hat or a decorative wall hanging, Icelandic wool's natural colors and excellent felting properties make it one of the best roving options to use for your felting projects.
Insights:
- Dual-coated Wool Fibers: Includes both a soft undercoat and a longer, coarser outer coat, it provides a unique texture that's ideal for creating firm shapes and durable items.
- Coarser Outer Fibers: Felting with Icelandic wool can be a bit more time-consuming due to its coarse outer fibers, but the results are well worth the effort.
- Natural Colors: Typically available in beautiful, natural tones.
For beginners, it's advisable to start with smaller projects to get a feel for the material. Remember to lay the fibers in alternating directions to ensure a flat, even finish.
As you become more familiar with Icelandic wool, you'll appreciate its ability to be air-dried into a sturdy, yet visually appealing product that showcases the beauty of natural wool.
Adelaide Walker offers Icelandic wool roving.
Masham Wool Roving
Masham wool roving stands out in the felting community due to its lustrous long lengths and robust nature, making it an excellent choice for more advanced wet felts projects that require a blend of durability and aesthetic appeal.
This wool is less commonly found but highly prized for its beautiful wool characteristics and versatility in both wet felting and needle felt projects.
Insights:
- Robust and Resilient: The fibers' natural resistance to felting actually benefits the layering technique, allowing for the creation of textured, voluminous felted pieces without the fibers becoming overly compacted.
- Blends Seamlessly: This wool's ability to blend seamlessly with finer wools and synthetic fibers makes it a staple for those who enjoy experimenting with textures and techniques.
- Takes on Color: This wool dyes effortlessly.
Crafters looking to explore different types of wool will appreciate Masham for its distinctive properties.
It's particularly effective for projects that involve alternating fiber directions or incorporating other fibers into the wool batting for a mixed-media effect.
Whether creating a flat piece or a dimensional sculpture, Masham wool provides the resilience and handling ease needed for both traditional and innovative felting applications.
Adelaide Walker offers Masham wool roving.
Alpaca Wool Roving
Alpaca wool roving, known for its softness and durability, is another excellent choice for wet felting and needle felt projects, offering a softer alternative to the more traditional sheep's wool.
Its fine fibers are perfect for achieving detailed and delicate designs, making it ideal for artists looking to create intricate pieces.
Insights:
- Luxury Fiber: Alpaca wool is not only softer but also hypoallergenic, which makes it a great option for items that will be worn close to the skin like scarves and gloves.
- Natural Colors: The natural shades of alpaca wool, ranging from deep blacks to warm browns and soft whites, allow for beautiful, subtle color transitions in felting projects.
- Handle Carefully: When working with alpaca roving, it's important to handle the fibers gently to maintain their integrity and softness.
This type of wool felts beautifully when wet and blended with other fibers, like a wool batt, to achieve different textures and strengths in your projects.
For those on their needle felting journey, incorporating alpaca wool can add a luxurious feel to your creations. As with all felting, ensure the fibers are well aligned in the same direction to avoid creating lumps and ensure a smooth, cohesive finish.
Note: Alpaca makes great hair for your needle-felted animals or dolls.
Adelaide Walker offers Alpaca wool roving in the UK.
Finnish Wool Roving
Known for its durability and coarse texture, Finnish wool from Laughing Lamb Fibers is excellent for projects that require a more rugged feel.
Insights:
- Coarse and Durable: Ideal for outdoor items or decorative pieces that will be handled frequently.
- Rich in Texture: Provides a tactile quality that enhances the sensory appeal of felted items.
- Variety of Natural Shades: Offers a spectrum of earthy tones that are perfect for blending.
Customer Review:
"I used Finnish Wool Roving for a set of coasters and was amazed at how resilient the felt was. It's definitely my top choice for items that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear." - Derek H.
Adelaide Walker offers Finnish wool roving.
Gotland Wool Roving
Gotland wool is known for its silvery sheen and curly locks, which add a fantastic texture to felted pieces. Laughing Lamb Fibers offers top-quality Gotland roving that's perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your projects.
Insights:
- Silvery Sheen: Adds a luxurious look to your felted items.
- Curly Locks: Provides unique textural elements that are visually appealing.
- Rare Wool: Makes your projects stand out with a material that's not commonly used.
Customer Review:
"The Gotland Wool Roving was perfect for my jewelry projects. The natural sheen and curly texture made each piece look sophisticated and unique." - Paula V.
Adelaide Walker offers Gotland wool roving.
Romney Wool Roving
Romney wool is excellent for those who need sturdier, coarser wool for their felting projects.
Insights:
- Coarser and Robust: Great for projects that require a more substantial feel.
- Clean and Well-Processed: Ensures smooth felting without impurities.
- Versatile: Works well for both decorative and functional items.
Customer Review:
"I've been using Romney Wool Roving for my larger projects like rugs and seat covers, and it's incredibly durable." - Greg K.
Adelaide Walker offers Romney wool roving.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right wool roving for your wet felting and/or needle felt projects is crucial for achieving the desired results.
Whether you're looking for fine, soft wool for delicate projects or coarser wool for more robust items, the options listed above offer something for every felting enthusiast.
Many stores carry wool roving Michaels, Adelaid Walker, the Woolery, and Etsy to name a few.
Remember, the best roving to use depends on your specific project needs and personal preferences.
Happy felting!
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Images Source: Canva and eBay
