NZ & Maori Carded Felting Wool Colourchart and Sizes-NZ vs Maori Wool Guide
Choosing the right felting wool? This side-by-side guide compares our two most-loved carded wool batting ranges: Carded New Zealand (NZ) and DHG Maori. Both are ~27 micron mixed sheep’s wool that felt quickly, hold shape, and work beautifully as core wool and as finishing layers for smooth surfaces. You’ll find a practical size guide, plus full colour charts with shade descriptions.
Shade naming at a glance:
- Carded NZ Wool uses numbers (e.g., 01, 100, 79).
- Maori Wool uses names (e.g., Sage, Raspberry, Twilight).
NZ vs Maori – What’s the difference?
- Origin & processing – Both are mixed sheep’s wool; NZ and Maori are dyed and carded in separate certified facilities.
- Feel & felting behaviour – Very similar hand-feel and performance for needle felting and wet felting; many makers happily mix both in one project.
- Shade range – NZ Carded offers a very broad palette (100+); Maori offers a curated, 70-shade palette.
- Format – Both are carded wool batting (not combed tops/roving) so fibres are inter-mixed → faster felting and easier sculpting.
- Use cases – Excellent as core (builds volume fast) and finish (smooth blends & surface detail).
► How much can you make? (Size guide)
Sizes are approximate — your felting density and style matter. This assumes you make the entire item from this wool.
- 20 g bundle – Small project ~7 × 4 cm (tiny animals, fruit, mini ornaments)
- 50 g bundle – Palm-sized project ~14 × 8 cm (owl, hare, small doll)
- 100 g bundle – Larger piece ~18 × 12 cm (felted doll, medium animal, structured wet-felted panel)
- 500 g bundle – Big project ~30 × 20 cm (cushion panel, large animal, or several smaller makes)
Why crafters love our carded wool
- Needle-felting made easier – carded batting with mixed fibres felts quickly and holds shape.
- Versatile – brilliant as core wool and as finishing wool for smooth surfaces.
- Great for 3D & 2D – sculpt animals, dolls, minis, plus flat pictures and embellishments.
- Wet-felting friendly – makes sturdy sheets, bags, slippers and panels.
- Natural fibre – 100% wool; occasional tiny bits of plant matter are normal and easily picked out.
Full Colour Charts & Descriptions
Use these as a needle-felting colour chart to plan blends, match animal coats, florals, and landscapes. Both toggles open on click.
► Carded NZ Wool – Full Colour Chart ( Click to open and Close to view 100+ shades)
Shades shift slightly from batch to batch
- 01 Off White – Light and creamy with a soft yellowish tint, reflecting the quiet elegance of Pantone 7527. Ideal for sheep, polar bears, soft clouds, daffodils, and classic bunnies
- 100 White – Crisp, bright white, similar to Pantone 663. Great for Samoyeds, snowflakes, swans, wedding flowers, and angels
- 02 Hint of Grey (Melange) – Pale off-white with soft grey (Pantone 427C). Doves, arctic foxes, kittens, pebbles, misty scenes
- 03 Light Grey (Melange) – Subtle grey warmed with cream (Pantone 420). Tabby cats, mice, owls, tree bark
- 04 Mouse Grey (Melange) – Medium warm grey (Pantone 4275). Squirrels, mice, wolves, grey stones
- 05 Dark Grey (Melange) – Deeper grey with soft brownish warmth (Pantone 4276). Shading, raccoons, elephants, granite
- 06 Charcoal 1 (Melange) – Bold dark charcoal (Pantone 4279). German Shepherds, crows, depth shadows
- 07 Charcoal 2 (Melange) – Deep charcoal nearing black (Pantone 426). Black cats, bears, crows, night skies
- 08 Black – True black (Pantone Black 6). Outlining, black Labradors, tuxedo cats, Halloween accents
- 09 Grey – Neutral mid-grey (Pantone 4276). Huskies, koalas, donkeys, stone textures
- 10 Granite Grey – Cool steel grey with a hint of blue (Pantone 430). Whales, owls, storm clouds, statues
- 11 Silver – Pale soft metallic grey (Pantone 427). Silver tabbies, snow leopards, moonlight effects
- 12 Marigold – Golden yellow (Pantone 137). Marigolds, retrievers, bees, autumn leaves
- 13 Curry – Mustard yellow with orange (Pantone 129). Autumn accents, owls, gourds
- 14 Yellow – Primary bright yellow (Pantone 102). Sunflowers, chicks, lemons
- 15 Dusky Yellow – Muted golden yellow (Pantone 0131). Vintage daisies, hay, sandy creatures
- 16 Mellow Yellow – Gentle pastel yellow (Pantone 7401). Ducklings, buttercups, baby animals
- 17 Daffodil – Cheerful yellow (Pantone 101). Daffodils, chicks, sunny details
- 19 Camel – Beige-yellow warmth (Pantone 467). Camels, lions, horses, thatch
- 20 Sunflower – Deep golden (Pantone 116u). Sunflowers, fur highlights, harvest
- 21 Ginger – Spicy yellow-orange (Pantone 7550). Foxes, pumpkins, cosy accents
- 22 Caramel – Golden brown (Pantone 7551). Spaniels, horses, toasted breads
- 23 Chestnut – Reddish brown (Pantone 154u). Squirrels, conkers, red pandas
- 24 Coffee – Dark roasted brown (Pantone 1684u). Brown bears, Labradors, espresso
- 25 Walnut – Earthy medium brown (Pantone 1545u). Deer, owls, tree trunks
- 26 Primrose – Pale yellow (Pantone 600). Baby ducks, primroses
- 27 Vanilla – Buttery pastel (Pantone 7499). Cupcakes, buttercream, light backgrounds
- 28 Red – Primary red (Pantone 3517). Cardinals, apples, mushrooms, holidays
- 30 Tomato – Vibrant postbox red (Pantone 3556). Tomatoes, ladybirds, festive
- 31 Flame – Bright festive red (Pantone 3546). Poinsettias, Santa hats, florals
- 32 Orange – Vivid orange (Pantone 3564). Tigers, marigolds, autumn
- 33 Coral – Warm pink-orange (Pantone 2345). Poppies, flamingos, tropical fruit
- 34 Tangerine – Juicy orange-red (Pantone 716). Citrus, koi, pumpkins
- 35 Dark Orange – Burnt orange (Pantone 7579). Foxes, rust leaves, acorns
- 36 Burnt Orange – Deep orange-brown (Pantone 7599). Harvest veg, fallen leaves
- 37 Paprika – Spicy red-orange (Pantone 2448). Tabby markings, spice jars
- 38 Scarlet – Bold red-orange (Pantone 2347). Flowers, capes, accents
- 39 Cranberry – Cool berry red (Pantone 207). Berries, lipstick, chic cats
- 40 Burgundy – Deep red-purple (Pantone 209C). Roses, wine, regal accents
- 41 Brick – Earthy red-brown (Pantone 2350). Brick walls, vintage tones
- 42 Terracotta – Clay red (Pantone 2436u). Pots, foxes, warm textures
- 43 Dark Chocolate – Rich dark brown (Pantone 181u). Chocolate, Labradors, trunks
- 44 Dark Bordo – Wine burgundy (Pantone 7421). Velvet petals, berries
- 45 Wine – Moody purple-red (Pantone 7420). Grapes, florals
- 47 Blush – Soft peach-pink (Pantone 4072). Cheeks, petals, piglets
- 48 Candyfloss – Pale pink (Pantone 7431u). Unicorns, flamingos, blossoms
- 49 Nude – Beige-pink (Pantone 4029). Skin tones, puppy bellies
- 50 Peach – Pink-orange (Pantone 1565). Peaches, roses
- 51 Amethyst – Medium purple (Pantone 7656). Fantasy creatures, violets
- 57 French Lavender – Muted purple-grey (Pantone 520). Vintage palettes, shading
- 58 Damson – Deep plum (Pantone 7631). Berries, moody accents
- 60 Hyacinth – Pastel blue-purple (Pantone 4121). Spring florals, gentle skies
- 61 Wild Orchid – Cool purple-pink (Pantone 524). Florals, baby designs
- 62 Pistachio – Pastel yellow-green (Pantone 5803u). Foliage, spring palettes
- 63 Peacock – Deep teal (Pantone 633u). Statement pieces, ocean themes
- 64 Turquoise – Bright blue-green (Pantone 2235). Marine life, beach vibes
- 65 Teal – Deep blue-green (Pantone 2238). Jewel tones, forest scenes
- 66 Green Aqua – Aquatic teal-green (Pantone 7723). Underwater, modern looks
- 67 Emerald – Jewel green (Pantone 6536). Fantasy, fashion, luxe accents
- 68 Leaf Green – Fresh yellow-green (Pantone 355u). Flora, tree frogs
- 69 Forest – Deep green (Pantone 3500). Backgrounds, woodland
- 70 Army – Olive military (Pantone 385). Outdoor, utilitarian
- 71 Khaki – Yellow-beige (Pantone 456). Neutral clothing, historical
- 72 Taupe – Grey-brown (Pantone 7529). Urban, muted palettes
- 73 Beige – Warm tan (Pantone 4674/4005u). Versatile base
- 75 Pear Green – Yellow-green (Pantone 7766). Playful, spring accents
- 77 Olive – Muted green (Pantone 3974). Military, aged textures
- 78 Spring Grass – Bright green (Pantone 382). Lively, youthful
- 79 Lime – Citrus green (Pantone 7486). Food minis, tropical
- 80 Fern – Earthy green (Pantone 2266). Landscapes, leaves
- 81 Camo – Military green with brown (Pantone 5743). Blending, backgrounds
- 82 Linen – Pale beige-white (Pantone 7527). Minimalist, neutrals
- 83 Aquamarine – Bright turquoise-blue (Pantone 3264). Water scenes
- 85 Midnight Blue – Deep navy (Pantone 296). Night skies
- 86 Indigo – Blue with violet (Pantone 2864). Oceans, shadows
- 87 Navy – Classic navy (Pantone 280u). Nautical
- 88 Bluebell/Blueberry – Rich blue (Pantone 2137u). Berries, denim
- 89 Royal – Bright royal blue. Regal accents
- 90 Cornflower – Light blue (Pantone 2727). Skies, florals
- 91 Bleu de France – Azure (Pantone 7691). French vibes, clear skies
- 92 Baby Blue – Pastel blue (Pantone 2134u). Baby items, clouds
- 93 Azure – Crisp summer blue (Pantone 3553). Waves, skies
- 94 Prussian Blue – Dark blue-green (Pantone 2187). Stormy depth
- 95 Dark Peacock – Teal-blue (Pantone 3165). Moody, rich
- 96 Turquoise Blue – Aquatic blue (Pantone 3074). Tropical
- 98 Bright Turquoise – Electric turquoise (Pantone 3124). Stand-out details
- 99 Sky Blue – Light blue (Pantone 3577). Airy skies
- 101 Hint of Brown – Soft warm brown (Pantone 7530). Grounding, shading
- 103 Mottled Brown – Speckled medium brown (Pantone 7531). Rustic texture
- 104 Sunshine – Light buttery yellow (Pantone 7402u). Spring optimism
- 105 Blossom – Fresh pink (Pantone 2338). Cheeks, petals
- 106 Aubergine – Deep eggplant (Pantone 5124). Dramatic florals
- 107 Light Khaki – Pale yellow-green (Pantone 7754). Dry grasses
- 108 Cactus – Dusty green (Pantone 2422). Succulents, landscapes
- 109 Bottle Green – Deep classic green (Pantone 3305). Christmas, botanicals
- 112 Cloud – Pale grey (Pantone 2107). Misty skies
- 113 Amber – Golden yellow (Pantone 1174). Bees, honey
- 114 Honey – Golden beige (Pantone 4017). Cosy neutrals
- 115 Earth – Balanced brown (Pantone 3523). Natural accents
- 116 Magic Mint – Light mint (Pantone 3245). Retro, whimsical
- 117 Violet – Deep purple (Pantone 7668). Royalty, florals
- 118 Aqua – Bright blue-green (Pantone 2904). Fresh water tones
► Maori Wool – Full Colour Chart ( Click to open and Close to view 60 shades)
Shades shift slightly from batch to batch
Pink & Red Shades
- Cherry Blossom – Very pale warm pink, cream-like softness, almost off-white
- Etoile – Muted pale peachy-pink, almost cream, very soft warmth
- Shell – Pale ash pink with warm sandy tones (similar to NZ #55)
- Hollyhock – Balanced warm pink with coral influences (lighter than NZ #105 Blossom)
- Raspberry – Deep berry pink with natural richness (closest to NZ #46 Shocking Pink)
- Lipstick – Bright, vibrant pink, lighter than Raspberry
- Carniola (Melange) – Warm deep pink with coral hints; melange depth
- Baby – Light delicate pastel pink (close to NZ #48 Candyfloss, but paler)
- Cyclamen – Vibrant cool-toned pink with a purple edge (similar to NZ #110 Lilac Pink)
- Powder – Airy light pastel pink (Pantone guess 196u)
Purple & Violet Shades
- Orchid DHG – Medium purple with red undertones, natural and soft
- Lavender – Muted classic lavender, subdued
- Twilight – Dusty cool lavender (closest to NZ #111 Lilac)
- Violet – Dusty rich purple with balanced blue
- Florence – Jewel vibrant purple with blue undertone (similar to NZ #59 Royal Purple)
- Theatre – Vibrant purple with red undertone (closest to NZ #56 Purple)
- Water Lily (Melange) – Soft lavender-purple with blue hint; melange delicacy
Blue Shades
- Sunrise – Pale pastel blue, airy and light
- Cobalt – Deep bold blue with striking clarity
- Seal – Dusky near-black with dark purple tone (similar to NZ #07 Charcoal 2)
- Storm – Cool grey-blue, moody and rich (similar to NZ #10 Granite Grey; Pantone guess 432u)
Green Shades
- Paradise – Pastel green-blue, soft and fresh
- Eucalyptus (Melange) – Cool muted green with blue undertones
- Sage – Pale yellow-green with warm earthy tone (closest to NZ #75 Pear Green)
- Olive – Deep warm green with golden hints (similar to NZ #77 Olive but paler)
- Leaf – Vibrant fresh green with slight yellow tint
- Ivy – Deep balanced green, darker than Leaf
- Brush (Melange) – Muted earthy green with rich melange depth
- Moss – Deep green with earthy grey warmth
- Fir – Cool-toned dark forest green (close to NZ #80 Fern)
- Wood – Rich warm green with blue undertone (like NZ #109 Bottle Green, but paler)
- Caipirinha – Bright zesty lime green, very fresh
Yellow & Warm Shades
- Light – Pale soft yellow with warmth (closest to NZ #104 Sunshine)
- Sunflower DHG – Rich golden yellow, deep and warm
- Saffron – Deep golden yellow with earthy base
- Melon – Warm yellow-orange with natural glow
Orange & Brown Shades
- Cinnamon – Dusky gingery orange-brown; foxy (Pantone guess 723u)
- Pumpkin – Bright deep orange with earthiness (close to NZ #35; Pantone guess 166u)
- Siena – Warm brown with burnt orange tones (less red than NZ #42; Pantone guess 1535)
- Calvados (Melange) – Gingery reddish-brown; great for foxes & squirrels
- Rust – Classic deep rusty orange
- Neon Orange – Bright saturated orange, very vibrant
Neutrals, Beige, Brown & Grey
- Lace – Warm beige-grey with pink tone (similar to NZ #55 Ash Rose)
- Dust (Melange) – Dusty pink-grey, soft and organic
- Acacia – Light peachy beige (Pantone 4029 washed out)
- Dune – Sandy peachy beige (like NZ #49 Nude; Pantone 4029u)
- Bread – Light golden brown (Pantone guess 721)
- Ash – Warm grey-beige mid-tone (Pantone guess 2470u)
- Earth – Mid brown with soft overtones (Pantone guess 4241)
- Nut – Warm rich natural brown (Pantone guess 464u)
- Beaver – Dusky dark brown, darker than Ash (Pantone guess 2321u)
- Bark – Rich dark brown with red hue (akin to NZ #24/#25/#43)
- Montecristo (Melange) – Cool-toned dark brown blend (similar to NZ #103)
- Nat. Brown – Natural dark brown with earthy softness
- Coffee DHG – True deep coffee brown, strong richness
- Cloud – Lightest blue-grey (close to NZ #02; Pantone guess 427u)
- London – Cool balanced urban grey
- Nat. Grey (Melange) – Soft warm muted natural grey
- Dark – Near-black dark grey (like NZ #08 Black)
White & Off-White
- Snow – Bright pure white, cool-toned (similar to Milk)
- Milk – Warm creamy white (nearly identical to Snow)
- Nat. White – Yellowish off-white with grey undertones (same as NZ Off White)
- Ivory – Creamy warm white (like NZ #82 Linen)
- Sand – Light warm beige (similar to NZ #82; Pantone 4246 washed out)
FAQs
Is this wool suitable for beginners?
Yes. Carded batting felts faster than combed tops/roving and is forgiving, so it’s ideal for beginners and experienced makers alike.
Can I mix NZ and Maori in one project?
Absolutely. Many artists mix both. Choose the best colours for your subject and enjoy consistent felting behaviour.
Is it good for wet felting?
Yes. Both ranges wet-felt beautifully, especially when you want structured sheets, bags or slippers.
Micron & fibre length?
Both are around 27 microns with shorter, inter-mixed fibres typical of carded wool batting — perfect for needle-felting and surface finishing.
What needles pair well?
36 Triangular / 38 Star for building; 40–42 for delicate detailing.
Colour & fibre notes
Colours are shown as accurately as possible but may vary by monitor and batch. For exact matches, we recommend our real wool sample cards.