Felt Santa Claus, a needle felting kit by Wizardi. Round, red and ready with a present, this little Santa Claus is a classic homemade Christmas ornament.
Crafters say a Christmas made by hand is remembered longest, and a little felted figure on the tree or mantel tends to become part of the family's decorations for years.
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 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 2.8 x 2.2 x 1.8 in (7 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm). 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.
