are very sharp needles that have barbs along their length. The barbs catch on the hair-like fibers of roving each time the needles are pushed into the roving. After several pushes of the needle, the fibers begin to hold together because of the twisting and meshing together caused by the barbs.

An individual needle can be used for very controlled felting, usually for a small area. More often, several needles are used in a felting tool or machine. Two small hand tools are shown here, along with two felting needles.