Striped Hat Christmas Gnome Needle Felting Kit by Wizardi F07N8-491

Felt the Striped Hat Christmas Gnome, a needle felting kit by Wizardi. A tall striped hat, a star on top and a present under his arm: this gnome is ready for the Christmas party.

In Scandinavian folklore the tomte, a small bearded house gnome, watches over the farm all winter and expects a bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve; felters say a gnome on the shelf keeps the house cozy.

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. It is a quick, cozy project for the evenings before Christmas.

Kit includes: wool roving in the design colors plus a curl of fluffy white fiber for the beard, together with felting tools and picture instructions. 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 3.5 x 2.4 in (9 x 6 cm) tall and wide. Hang it on the tree, stand it on the mantel or tuck the kit into a stocking for a crafty friend; it is a cozy project for the evenings before Christmas. Recommended for ages 14 and up; the felting needles are very sharp, so keep them away from young children.