Group 2 (Awl and other single pointy-tipped implements)

The second group is using an awl or other single-pointy item.   This would include the mettle pointed awl, the mettle toothpick, dental or pointy tools and a wooden skewer or dowel.  I spotted a blunt large wool darning needle near the desk and decided to try that too.

2.1 Pointy, single-tipped, objects that can hold the wool, instead of your fingers.

Other than the wooden skewer which can be sharpened to a point or some come that way, all the other options are various on a mettle tip. Thus basically, the same on the pointy end and the main differences are comfort in how it is held or the cost. All will keep the distance between your fingers and the pointy end of the felting needle a reasonably safe distance apart.

The wooden skewer will hold the fibre in position. Making sure the wood is smooth will reduce the likelihood of fibre wanting to cling to it.  If a skewer is not easy to hand you may find a chopstick in your kitchen drawers that would also work.  A chopstick may also be a bit more comfortable to hold than a skewer.

• Blunt chopsticks are likely Chinese and Vietnamese.
• A Sharp Point at the end, likely Japanese
• A Sharp Taper towards the end, likely Korean

2.2 Wooden skewer to hold the fibre

The other options are the mettle single-pointy varieties. I found particularly with the mettle ones, as long as the tip is not ruff it will not grab the loose fibre. Let’s start with the Awl. They are actually meant to be comfortable to hold and come with various reasonably comfortable handles. They come in various sizes and are sold for sewing, leatherwork, and woodwork (that’s the one I have beside the computer…. No, I am not sure why it’s there and not in with the tools in the basement where it should be.

2.3 mettle shaft Awl with plastic handle (originally for woodworking).

The next pointy object I have beside the computer is a metal tool that looks like a dental tool (it was to clean fibre out of my drum carders and hand carders but I found a plastic version that will be gentler on the carder cloth). So it sits languishing with my highlighters and the awl. I know, I have to get this desk cleaned up, maybe next week? This tool has 2 sharp ends, one straight and one with a sharp bend. I of course tried both. Strait worked better for me but I will admit that you could flatten and hold in place the fiber quite nicely with the bent end. This might be a consideration if you were unfortunate enough to be working in an area with a breeze.  This was not as comfortable to grip to hold,  but I could rest it in my fingers rather than using a death grip on it. It was also lighter than the awl. If you happen to have one or a friend has one, you may want to give it a try and see what you think. It does keep your fingers well away from the dangerous end of the needle but adds the back pick for a bit of added excitement.

2.4.1 Front end single strait point.

2.4.2 The back pick which is bent at a 90-degree turn.

The next single pointy mettle tool is a bit odd. (ok the others were at least slightly unusual.) This is being sold as a reusable personal toothpick…… it’s very sharp I don’t think my teeth or gums would appreciate that being poked at them! It is very light but it is also thin so you again have the problem of overenthusiastic gripping. If your fingers have any thoughts towards arthritis and dislike gipping thin things like single needles, this isn’t all that much larger than a couple of needles. This may be a consideration for you.  It does have the positive that it unscrews and would fit in a small travel work kit or on a lanyard.

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2.5.1-.2 The “Tooth Pick”

2.5.3 Sizes from one of the sellers online

The last thing I tried was the large yarn, darning needle I had on a shelf on the other side of the computer. It was mettle and had a blunt end.  I also found this one was the easiest for me to drag and redirect the edge of the fibre I was working with the blunt tip.  It was not as long as the other options so it was a little less emotionally safe feeling although it did separate the fingers and the needle an adequate distance.

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2.6.1-.2 Blunt end darning needle

The Awl group while it has the advantages of; moving fibre by dragging or nudging it, and helping with getting edges neat, it does not secure as many fibres, as the rake group we chatted about before. While some of the Awl group, by their nature, have comfortable handles others again are a bit narrow for anyone prone to hand cramping. So there may be one of this shape/style that will work for you but you may need to try a few out for a session of felting to see what might work for you.

Next will be group 3 followed by group 4 if nothing derails my plans! I hope this is giving you some ideas of ways to keep your fingers and the pointy parts of the needles well clear of each other. Especially if you are enjoying felting but find you are a bit enthusiastic in either speed or depth or you are just starting out and find that your needle finds your finger, rather than the felt occasionally.

P.S. If you are in the over-enthusiastic-needle-felting category, remember to turn off the techno music for a bit, and put on some just-above-snooze-worhty-massage-music (mellow but not face-planting).  Also avoid extremely stressful suspense-filled audiobooks for something calmer, like a Regency Romance, she might get her hand kissed at the end of the book and if you miss a bit it’s pretty easy to catch up on the story. Slow down and have fun longer!