Sleepy Spotted Deer Needle Felting Kit by Wizardi F07N8-W2

Felt the Sleepy Spotted Deer, a needle felting kit by Wizardi. Eyes closed, cheeks pink and antlers up, this spotted deer looks like it has just woken from a nap in the forest.

Felt is often called the oldest textile, pressed from wool long before weaving was invented, and felters say a needle and a tuft of wool still feel a little like magic.

Why this kit: if you have never felted before, this is a small, forgiving first project, with no sewing and no pattern to follow, just colored wool and a barbed needle; most people finish it in an evening or two. Small and characterful, it is quick to finish and easy to make again as a gift.

Kit includes: wool roving in every color of the design, felting needles set in a foam work pad, 2 black bead eyes, a phone strap and pin for hanging, a full-color picture card of the finished figure and an illustrated drawing-instructions sheet. Not included: small scissors for trimming stray fibers, which are handy but optional.

How to felt it: pull off small tufts of wool, roll them loosely and jab them with the felting needle, turning the shape as you go so it firms up evenly. Build the body first, then add the colored details and the face, and set the eyes last. Work on a foam pad or felting mat, keep your fingers clear of the needle tip and store the needles safely after use.

Finished size: about 3.1 x 2.0 x 1.4 in (8 x 5 x 3.5 cm). Keep it on a desk or bookshelf, clip it to a bag or keys, or give it as a small homemade gift; the kit itself is an easy stocking stuffer for teens and adults. Recommended for ages 14 and up; the felting needles are very sharp, so keep them away from young children.