Handmade Black Cats for Halloween

I've found a new craft, it's called needle felting. Wool roving and barbed, very sharp needles. Not a craft to do carelessly. But what a great way to relieve stress! The needle is jabbed hundreds of times as you create the shape you are after. I have 6 parts to a cat. Body, head and 4 limbs all joined by the needle jabs. It takes an afternoon to create the cat and another afternoon to dress her. I've made five. They all have a candy box that I've dressed up too.

I've found a new craft, it's called needle felting. Wool roving and barbed, very sharp needles. Not a craft to do carelessly. But what a great way to relieve stress! The needle is jabbed hundreds of times as you create the shape you are after. I have 6 parts to a cat. Body, head and 4 limbs all joined by the needle jabs. It takes an afternoon to create the cat and another afternoon to dress her. I've made five. They all have a candy box that I've dressed up too.

I love them! They've got a vintage look too. I've never sold any of my crafts before so these will be the first attempt. Now I just need to figure out how I'm going do it. I've also been looking around online and haven't found anything like my little black cats yet, maybe I'm the first?

Try out this video by Linda Facci to get an idea how I made my kitties. 

I'm using all the same tools, my technique is a little different - but still the same. Check out this video by Living Felt. She has lots of great hints too.

If you're going to give this craft a go... you'll need these tools: 

     ( I'm sending you to Amazon for the best prices and huge choices.)

Barbed Felting Needles

Pen Needle Holder (don't scrimp..buy this)

Roving Felts
Foam Base Pad 

Now as for the arms and legs.....I really had to figure this out for myself. I've seen some other cute animals with wrapped limbs but NEVER found any information on how it was done. I use pipe cleaners and embroidery floss. I shave off about 3/4 inch of the fur on one end and start slowly wrapping the floss from the same point for about an inch. (over wrap the end to hold) I take pliers to bend over the tip to the wrist area (making a loop) then I resume wrapping the floss up the pipe cleaner until I'm where I want to be in length. You've got to do this all slowly and tight. Spirals wrapped too loose show the pipe cleaner beneath. Wrap and twist wool in a cone on the thigh (or upper arm area) and start punching with your needle to make the parts hold. It's not mandatory to do the limbs like that, but I like the vintage look it gives.

I've got a needle felted Christmas craft coming soon to post too. Thank you so much for taking a peek at my black cat project. I'm hoping on a fun holiday season for 2013!

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