Today we bring you the cutest of projects; that is, a free tutorial on how to make a narwhal with needle felting. The creator of this mysterious animal, which lives in the Arctic Ocean and possesses such a long tooth that it makes it looks like a swordsman, is Caterina Lotti | Pinamolina. A highly skilled needle felter specialising in the creation of small animals. But not only. Caterina, in fact, is also a fashion designer and has an upcycling clothing line where she gives life to used garments.
Before proceeding with the tutorial, we'll leave you with some interesting questions about this curious cetacean. Is his tooth a hunting tool, is it used to attract females, or is it a combat sword? It doesn't matter to us; we just know that we love the Narwhal. However, if you wish, you can read up on it and find out the answers!
The fibers selected by Caterina for the narwhal are our Maori and Bergschaf carded wools. Perfect for needle felting.
Have fun!
MATERIALS
Carded Bergschaf wool col. Natural White 10 g; September, Storm and Dark. A tuft of each colour.
Carded Maori wool col. Sunrise and Paradise: a tuft for each colour.
Angelina col. Light Blue a tuft
Base for felting 10x15x4
Thin needles
The choice of needle size affects the felting speed and the final result. To obtain both a compact and uniform surface, use fine needles. To speed up the process, use tools that allow the use of multiple needles at the same time whilst working on the rougher parts and use the single needle for finishing.
When working with multiple colours, to facilitate the work, create the basic structure with a single colour, then once the form has been established, have fun decorating it without having to think about modelling.
Each project should first be thought of in simple deconstructed shapes which will then be joined together.
When inserting the needle, only use the serrated tip, without piercing the fibre entirely, and do not tilt it as a lever, this way you will avoid breaking it. A gentle touch is enough. The inclined needle can be used to join small parts together or to finish the surface by inserting the left-over fibers, always without levering.
When you form a shape, compact the wool with your hands to understand the amount of material required to create that piece. In any case, if you are a beginner, it is better to use less and add more gradually.
DIMENSIONS OF FINISHED PIECE
Total length from the tail to the tip of the horn: about 18 cm
Height at the thickest point: about 4 cm
Circumference at the widest point: approx. 12 cm
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Easy / Intermediate
METHOD
1. Take a layer of wool and wrap it around itself creating an elongated oval, try and compact it to measure out the amount needed to work with. This will serve to create the body to which will then be attached the section that will form the tail.
2. Immediately start felting to fix the shape, starting from the head.
3. Continue felting until the shape is stable, leaving the side where the tail will go unfinished so that you can then join the other piece.
4. Take a layer of wool and wrap it around itself to create a cone that will form the tail. Begin felting it, leaving the wider end unfinished.
5. At this point you can proceed to join the two parts. The fibers not being felted where they meet will make it easier to join.
6. It may be necessary to add wool near the joint to make the transition smoother.
7. Now it is possible to refine the body. Be sure not to compact the fibers too much on the surface as the shape must be stable but soft.
8. You can begin adding colour. Take a layer of the colour September, place it on the back and start felting.
9. You must then coat half of the body; again, without compacting the fibers too much, everything will be completed when all the elements are there.
10. Do the same with the colour Paradise for the belly.
11. Add the colour Alba along the line where the other two colours meet to create a blend.
12. Proceed with the fins by creating the shape with the colour Paradise directly on the felting base.
13. Once you have the rough shape you can insert it inside a folded card and thus felt the whole profile.
14. Use the same process for the tail fins, first do the right and then the left.
15. They will be joined together later, so the fibers should be left free in the section that will have to be attached to the rest of the body.
16. Join them ensure to fix them well.
17. Attach the side fins, adding a little wool if needed to hide the joint.
18. At this point, add a very thin layer of the colour Alba on the back, fixing it lightly.
19. Now add some Angelina fibre and start felting.
20. Use the angled needle to lower the fibers and finish the surface.
21. Proceed to make the horn by creating a thin and very compact cone and immediately start felting, if needed, help yourself with the cardboard and leave the fibers free at the wider end.
22. Fix the horn to the body utilising the remaining free fibres.
23. If necessary, add some light blue wool to finish the attachment well.
24. For the eyes, create a small ball of black wool with your fingers.
25. Now attach it to the narwhal's body.
26. Look at the finished piece and make any necessary adjustments.
If you enjoyed this narwhal using needle felting and would like to continue exploring this technique we suggest you also read how to make a flower with needle felt.
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