When to Change Your Felting Needle

A felting needle wears out gradually. Replace it when your work feels slower, rougher, or less predictable. It’s a little like when your saw has been used a lot the teeth blunt and you have to work a lot harder to saw wood. The needles where down and blunt to but it is hard to see this, but you will start to notice the signs. 

Main Signs;

• Slower felting – Barbs are worn down.

• Visible holes – Point is dull and pushes fibres apart.

• Bent needle – Changes barb angle and causes snagging.

• Snagging or dragging – Barbs are damaged.

• Scratchy feel – Barbs are dull or rough.

• Frequent breakage – Metal fatigue.

Typical Lifespan

• Heavy use: a few days to a week
• Moderate use: several weeks
• Light use: a month or more Fine, twisted, and star needles wear faster as they are working harder when in use.

Quick Rule

If felting feels harder, slower, or rougher it's probably time to change the needle. If you are not sure try a new needle, does it feel alot better to work with? Also always keep you new needle separate to the ones you are using.

Supplies list 

New and used felting needles

Next Steps

Julies Felted Friends and Felts By Philipa on felting needles

Another artical that might be of interest on felting needles