Needle Felting - Sculpting with Wool
Saturday 24th October 2026 - Henshaws, Knaresborough
Available spaces
Join us for a one-day needle felting workshop from North Yorks Art School at Henshaws Arts & Craft Centre, led by Brenda Christison, a passionate textile artist with a flair for bringing wool to life. This immersive session invites you to explore the ancient yet ever-evolving craft of needle felting, a technique that transforms soft wool fibres into vibrant, tactile artworks through the simple act of shaping and sculpting with a barbed needle. Perfect for beginners and those looking to refine their skills, this workshop will guide you in creating a charming, nature-inspired felted piece such as a delicate flower, a whimsical animal, or a miniature landscape while delving into the rich history and versatile usefulness of this sustainable art form. You’ll begin by learning the basics: How to select and handle wool roving. Use a felting needle safely. Work on a foam mat to create smooth, flat design. You’ll choose a simple design to craft under step-by-step guidance. With demonstrations of techniques like layering wool for depth, blending colours for realism, and adding fine details to bring your creation to life. Needle felting, a modern evolution of the ancient craft of felting, traces its roots back to the Neolithic era, around 4000–5000 BC, when early humans discovered that wool fibres, rich in keratin, could be matted together to create durable textiles for clothing, shelters, and blankets. Felting has been both a practical and artistic medium, valued for its warmth and versatility. Unlike wet felting, which uses soap and water to entangle fibres, needle felting emerged in the 19th century with the invention of barbed felting needles, initially for industrial use. By the 1980s, these tools were adapted for handcrafting, sparking a creative revolution that brought needle felting into the modern era as an accessible, eco-friendly art form. Today, it’s celebrated for its sustainability, using natural fibres from sheep, alpaca, or mohair wool, and its ability to create everything from 2D landscapes to 3D sculptures without the need for sewing or complex equipment. Saturday 24th October 2026 10am - 4pm with Brenda Christison This workshop takes place at: Henshaws Art & Crafts Centre 50 Bond End Knaresborough HG5 9AL Includes all materials, refreshments and lunch.
Cancellation Policy
Booking & Cancellation Policy Payment Options You can pay in full at the time of booking via card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal, or choose to pay a 25% deposit and pay the remaining balance 45 days before the event. Cash payment can be made in person at the school, shop or venue. Deposits A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on Workshops, Courses and Residentials. This deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances. Balance Due If you pay by deposit, the remaining 75% balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the start date. We will send you a reminder email with a payment link. Cancellation Policy Courses & Workshops More than 8 weeks before start: Full refund minus £20 admin fee. 4–8 weeks before: 70% refund. 2–4 weeks before: 50% refund. Less than 2 weeks before or after start: No refund.