What do you need?
red (carded) sheep's wool
white (carded) sheep's wool
a medium size felting needle in a holder
a foam mat
Fairy tales, toadstools and gnomes are beautiful and an inspiration to many hobbyists. But if you encounter a true 'red with white dots' mushroom outside then you know for 100% sure, nothing is as beautiful as nature! Having said this, we still want to needle felt a (simple) mushroom. Red with white dots? Yes INDEED!
How to felt a Toad Stool
Start with the hat of the toadstool, but first a few tips
- The needle holder makes it easier to hold the needle
- Prick the needle straight up and down, otherwise you may break it
- The longer you prick, the firmer the felted wool becomes
- Allow the ends that will be attached to stay fluffy, then it will hold better.
- Please mind your fingers, the needles have very sharp barbs!
Place the wool on the foam mat.
Shape the wool into a circle.
Start pricking in the wool.
When the hat is firm place white.
Start pricking again, leave the middle fluffy.
Prick little white dots onto the red side.
This is how the finished hat should look.
How to felt the stem
Pull some wool from the ball.
Roll it up neatly into a stem.
Prick all around into the stem.
*Place the stem upwards.
- *Pull out the underside of the stem, prick all around until you have a firm rim, so the toadstool can stand.
- Prick with the needle straight, the angle of our needle is just for the picture!
- If the stem is too thin roll on some more wool and keep pricking until the stem is firm again.
- When you place the stem upward leave the top fluffy, then you can attach the stem firmly to the hat.
Prick the fluffy top of the stem onto the toadstool's hat.
Now we have a cozy toadstool at home!
Felting this simple flat toadstool was a nice beginners craft and it looks pretty, on our table with Autumn treasures. Next time we make it a bit more difficult, then we felt a little rabbit!