Needles, Wool, Mistakes, Advice and the One Tip - Geri Ord (DollyDimples Needle Felting)

1. What are your favourite needles to use?

My favourite needle is a 38 triangle from heidifeathers which is the red tip needle and sometimes I will use the 40 gauge triangle for finer details on faces etc.

2. What is your favourite type of wool to work with?

My favourite type of wool to use is a carded batt, I get all my wool from the felt box who have a huge variety of colour.

3. What is the worst piece of  advice you keep hearing for needle felters?

The worst piece of advice I hear for new needle felters is advising to use wrong type of wool, for example merino is too soft and hard to use as a beginner felter.

4. What common mistakes do people make when they start out?

I think the most common mistake when people start out is snapping needles as they are stabbing the wool to vigorously or pulling the needle out of the wool at an angle or may even be hitting the wire on an armature.

5. What is the one thing a beginner could learn today that would  make a difference to their work?

I personally think the one thing a beginner could learn today that would make a difference to their work is when you are felting a 3D piece and you are not sure what is wrong. For example you may think it has got a wonky eye, I take my pieces to the mirror and look at them or I take a picture, this technique has helped me on numerous occasions to correct mistakes. The best place for people to connect with my work would be my Facebook page Dollydimples Needlefelting and I am more than happy for my answer and name to be published.