Chart of Uses for Felting Needles- Various Needle Gauges and Fiber

Size

NEEDLE GAUGE BLADE FIBER TYPE USE A USE B USE C

STYLE
Coarse 32 triangular Coarse fibers Good for beginning Good for needling
stages when working mohair onto the
Micron count 39- with coarse fiber. heads of cloth
45 Moves a lot of fiber dolls.
quickly, leaves a
large hole.
Cotswold,
Karakul,
Wensleydale,
Medium 36 triangular Medium fibers Good for beginning Used for detail Used for needling
stages when working needle when medium fibers onto
Micron 25-38 with medium fiber. working with coarse heavier fabrics such
Moves a lot of fiber fibers. as denim or canvas.
quickly, leaves a
Romney, smaller hole than the
Coopworth 32 gauge needle.

Fine 38 triangular Medium-Fine to Good for beginning Used for detail Used for needling
fine fibers stages when working needle when fine fibers onto a
Micron 21-24 with fine fiber. working with medium weight cloth
medium fibers. such as cotton bubble
Corriedale, Finn, gauze.
Merino
Fine Star 38 star Medium fine to Used for needling Used as a detail
fine fibers fine wool onto a fine needle for fine
cloth base such as fibers. Leaves a
Micron 21-24 silk gauze or habotai. small hole, but is
still pretty
aggressive at
Corriedale, Finn, pushing a lot of
Merino fiber because it has
4 edges with
notches instead of 3.
Extra Fine 40 triangular Fine fibers Can also be used for Used as a detail
needling fine wool needle for fine
Micron 18-20 onto a fine cloth fibers. Leaves a
base. small hole, but
doesn't push as
Merino much fiber as the 38
star. Good for
finishing the outside
"skin" of the felt
Ultra Fine 42 triangular same as above Used for needling Used as a final Used for rooting very
onto a very fine cloth detail needle for fine doll hair.
base. very fine fibers.
Leaves a very small
hole.