DIY Felted Bead Necklace: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 16/03/2025

Felting, an ancient craft, offers endless creative possibilities, and one particularly charming application is the creation of unique felted beads. These vibrant, textured spheres lend themselves beautifully to jewellery making, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your individual style. Imagine the satisfying process of transforming simple wool fibers into stunning, hand-crafted beads, perfectly strung together to create a necklace that’s both visually captivating and deeply personal. Forget mass-produced jewelry; with a little patience and this easy-to-follow guide, you can craft a truly bespoke accessory.

This DIY Felted Bead Necklace project is perfect for crafters of all skill levels, from beginners eager to try something new to experienced felters looking for a fun and rewarding project. You'll discover how easy it is to create beautifully textured beads in a range of colors and sizes, allowing for complete customization. Ready to transform simple wool into a stunning necklace? Let's dive into the step-by-step process!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • wool roving
  • water
  • foam soap
  • scissors
  • needle felting tool
  • needle
  • thread
  • clasp
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use well-ventilated area when felting, as the soapy water and friction can create some mild fumes.
  • Avoid using sharp objects near your eyes when working with needles or felting tools. Be mindful of your surroundings.
  • If you experience skin irritation from the soap or wool, discontinue use and rinse thoroughly with water. Consider using hypoallergenic soap if necessary.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Wool Roving

    • Gently pull and fluff wool roving into tufts.
    Prepare wool roving: Gently pull and fluff wool roving into tufts.
    Prepare Wool Roving

  2. Felt the Beads

    • Roll the wool roving into a coil shape, pressing very lightly between your hands until it feels felted.

  3. Cut and Fluff Felted Wool

    • Cut the felted wool into inch-sized pieces and fluff them.
    Cut and fluff: Cut the felted wool into inch-sized pieces and fluff them.
    Cut and Fluff Felted Wool

  4. Shape the Beads

    • Combine the fluffy pieces, add a little foam soap and water, and gently roll them into spheres.
    Form beads: Combine the fluffy pieces, add a little foam soap and water, and gently roll them into spheres.
    Shape the Beads

  5. Create and Attach Spots

    • Take a small pinch of roving, roll it between your fingers (adding water if needed), and place it on the sphere. Use a wooden stick or similar tool to hold it in place while needle felting it onto the sphere.
    • Further felt the spots using water and soap to secure them.
    Felt the spots: Further felt the spots using water and soap to secure them.Felt the spots: Further felt the spots using water and soap to secure them.Felt the spots: Further felt the spots using water and soap to secure them.
    Create and Attach Spots

  6. Assemble the Necklace

    • Use a needle and thread (strong thread recommended) to string the beads together.
    • Attach a clasp to complete the necklace.
    Add clasp: Attach a clasp to complete the necklace.Add clasp: Attach a clasp to complete the necklace.
    Assemble the Necklace

Read more: Elegant Russian Spiral Necklace Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Press very lightly when rolling the wool into coils; felting should be done gently.
  • Only cut the roving after it's felted.
  • Use foam soap sparingly to avoid excessive rinsing.
  • Avoid poking your fingers while needle felting the spots; use a tool to hold the roving.
  • Use strong thread to prevent breakage when stringing the beads.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uneven Felting

Reason: Inconsistent pressure or time spent felting leads to beads of varying sizes and firmness.
Solution: Apply even pressure and felt for the recommended time to achieve uniform beads.

2. Beads Too Loose/Hard to String

Reason: Insufficient felting results in loose beads that don't hold their shape, or over-felting leads to very hard beads that are difficult to pierce.
Solution: Adjust felting time and pressure to achieve the right balance of firmness and flexibility.

FAQs

What type of wool is best for felting beads?
Merino wool is ideal for felting beads due to its softness and excellent felting properties. Superwash wool can also work, but it felts slightly less readily.
How do I prevent my felted beads from becoming too hard or too soft?
The key is proper felting time and agitation. Follow the instructions carefully and adjust felting time based on your wool and desired firmness. A slightly firmer felt will be more durable.
What kind of string or cord is best for the necklace?
Strong, durable cords like waxed linen, nylon cord, or jewellery wire work well. Choose a cord that complements the color and style of your felted beads.