Needle Felting Lesson: Octopus

Welcome to the needle felting lesson: 3D Octopus. Together we’ll work through the process of needle felting a 3D octopus with two options for the eyes and eight tentacles. This lesson was originally recorded in February 2025.

Step-By-Step Guide

Before you dive into the content presented below, it may be helpful to download a consolidated step-by-step guide, mapped out in full color with a narrative description of what you will focus on for each step.

Forming the Head & Adding Color

Step 1. is to form the shape of the octopus head using the natural core wool and our single needle tool. As the shape begins to form an oval, remember to leave loose fibers on one end of the head. You will use the loose fibers to help attach your tentacles. Step 2. Using 1/3 of your large blended batt, lay the fibers over your core shape and felt the color in place with your single needle tool. Then use the multi-needle tool. Continue leaving loose fibers at the base of the oval.

Viewing Tip: Click on the first image and then scroll through the enlarged format, you’re able to see everything much better.

Adding the Eyes

Step 3. Here are two design options for adding the eyes to the head. Eyes can either be formed by placing a round eyeball of dark wool with a highlight into a depression felted into the head, or by creating two mounds with pupil details.

A Second Design Option for the Eyes

An alternative design to add eyeballs would be to avoid the creation of two depressions that you lay the eyeballs into and instead build up two mounds of wool directly onto the head that share the same batt coloring as the rest of the head. You’ll then place a dark pupil on the top center of each mound and outline the pupil with a lighter contrasting color.

The large octopus featured in this video started as a lap project on long car rides during family adventure days. Tentacles are a great option for car felting! This one of a kind piece is available for sale: Octopus II. With every new octopus I create I am also thinking up stories for an underwater children’s book. These early creations are my character studies.

Portion Wool for Tentacles

Step 4. With the remaining large batt create 9 evenly sized portions. Do the same with the smaller dark wool batt. You’ll need to hold your hands far enough apart that you’re not holding both ends of the fiber. When your hands are close together, the lighter your grasp, the easier it is to pull the fibers apart. Place one of each tone to the side (these will be for the bottom of the head after tentacles are attached.

Shaping Tentacles

Step 5. Place a portion of dark batt over a portion of the large batt and felt into a tapered shape. Be sure to periodically remove the tentacle from the work mat. Felting a lot in one spot will create curvy bends. Leave fluffy fibers on the wide end.

Viewing Tip: Click on the first image and then scroll through the enlarged format, you’re able to see everything much better.

Arranging Tentacles

Step 6. Place the tentacles in an even circular pattern with the dark side facing down and the wide ends at the center. Alternating over & under will add strength to connection points between the tentacles and the head.

Attach the Head and Tentacles

Step 7. Place the head on top of the arranged tentacles. One by one, pull the loose colored wool fibers of the tentacle over the edge of the head and felt into place. Rotate between felting the fiber up onto the head and under across the bottom.

Strengthen & Even Out Connection Points

Step 8. Spend ample time felting the tentacles in place so they will stay put. Use your remaining batt to layer colored wool over any exposed core wool. Add final curves to tentacles.

Covering the Exposed Core Wool

After all of the tentacles have been attached you may still see core wool here and there. Use the 9th and final portion of batt wool to cover any remaining exposed core wool on the bottom of the octopus.

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Meet Your Instructor

Hi, my name is Hillary Dow. A few of my many hats include mother, wife, traveler, outdoor adventurer, author, family chef, marketing professional, felting artist in Maine, and oh so many more. I write children’s books illustrated with my wool creations. I picked up my first felting needle about five years ago and it wasn’t long before I realized I had finally found MY medium! Like any labor of love, I simply keep going to learn more while honing my skills. It is such a thrill to be a part of helping someone develop their skills and CREATE artwork. Thank you for joining me!

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