Stumble It!
Idle Fingers Need(le) to Felt Dogs or other animals for that matter...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 08:28PM 
Fleece Dog Book by SincoI have always struggled with allowing my hands to be idle. Whether in meetings, on a plane, in a car ride, waiting room or subway...idle hands (mine of course) drive me insane. So through out the years I've taken up all sorts of portable string and hook activities like embroidery, crocheting and knitting. When I was eight yrs. old on my weekend trips to go see my grandmother, I used to crochet on the number seven el train while I sat alongside of my mother.
However, when it came to needle-felting arts, what I had seen the most of were felted fruit and I was never really intrigued with hairy strawberries and grapes. Infact, I was kind of 'ick' about it. So I never got into it, until thirty years later when I ran across Sinco's book Felted Dog. Dogs (unlike fruit) SHOULD be hairy!
In addition, Sinco has an entire site to support, supplement and encourage you called www.fleecedog.com! She has tutorials too and even guides you in how to incorporate REAL dog hair into your little miniature faux dog!
In order to needle felt you need carded wool
Felting Needles vaible from Sinco And in craft stores or Felting Sites
The one downside to needle felting is that you need barbed needles that are VERY dangerous (think of the tip of a fishing hook multiplied a thousand times AND reduced to microscopic size!) Since the action of needle felting is to repeatedly move the felting needles in and out/ up and down (like a sewing machine) through the fibers in order to entangle and bind them - it is often easy to poke your finger.
Glass Eyes from Sinco
Two Unfinished Dogs I've started (Chica and Chulo)
My Maya
Maya by me!My friend Laura has a pug named Nugget and I made her this felt dog (though I haven't given it to her YET- but I will!) So here is Nugget:
Nugget by marisol diaz
If you're interested in this or in other felted animals (like cats) there are many new books available including one called Little Felted Animals.
Felt, Felted dogs, Fleece Dogs, Idle hands, Little Felted Animals, Needle Felting, Sinco in Craft, Dogs, Fiberart, Gifts, Tutorials
Reader Comments (6)
I like dees.
I kind of want to do it now.
Out of curiosity, did it take you a lot of time?
OMG, these are soooo good. Is nugget after Ms. Whetsel's dog?
holy moses
these are amazing!!!
you are amazing..no idle fingers here...maybe I have that too, that is why I can't stop playing videogames! not quite the same...maybe I should try felting.
I LOVE these!! I can't wait to see Chica & Chulo finished!!
Oh look at Maya, she came out wonderfully. I would love to try this, it may be a good summer activity to assign myself.