A Palette Of Dyed Wool Roving

Learning to needlepunch wool is a perfect excuse for this palette of dyed wool roving. An overview of wool needlepunching was demonstrated on TV about a month ago. Admittedly, I was intrigued – but more information was needed. Numerous trips to yarn shops, hobby shops, and internet quests eventually gave way to a large bag of wool roving, my stash of dyed wool roving, needlepunch tools, wool dyes, and the basic process of needlepunching wool. 

Needlepunching wool is an art and a craft that immediately appealed to me. Perhaps the appeal centers around the process of needlepunching itself — it’s such a simple technique. Perhaps the intrique is because the wool fibers will readily allow manipulation within the process of needlepunching. Maybe the appeal is simply because the artist can focus on both the craft and the art.  

Needlepunched wool offers an ability to manipulate the wool fibers easily. Shapes and color blendings are easily achieved with this technique. To ‘blur’ or ‘blend’ colors by simply combining fibers together is not attainable in all fiber arts. By placing two or more colors of wool roving together, a wire pet brush can literally comb the fibers together to create a blend of color. This quality allows needlepunched wools to becoming painterly or colorwashed.

When doing manual wool needlepunching, only a few pieces of equipment are required: a needle and a firm, cushioned base to needlepunch into. My punch base is made from a stack of carpet padding. This base is place under the wools — it works better than a thick foam padding.

Needlepunching wool is a process that involves locking wool fibers. The punch-action involves a needle punching tool, similar to a large pin. Although the tool is called a needle, there is no eye on this punching tool. Needlepunching can only be achieved with a barb-tipped needle, so this needle is somewhat unique. Using a barbed needle will allow the woolen fibers to interlock with the base fabric (oftentimes a woolen fabric). Needlepunching wool can be achieved with one barbed needle or with a group of needles that are held into place with a knob. And the technique can be achieved manually or with the use of a machine.

Now that I have experimented with the basics, my artistic inspiration has been summoned. My colorful palette of dyed wools is waiting!