Total Wool Needed
2.1 oz
Weight
59 g
Est. Cost
$1.98
Adjust quantities based on your design—dominant colors need more wool than accent colors.
Mixed fiber (core + merino surface) offers the best balance of cost and finish quality.
| Gauge | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 36G | Coarse | Initial shaping, core work |
| 38G | Medium | General purpose, building form |
| 40G | Fine | Surface detail, smoothing |
| 42G | Extra Fine | Very fine detail, eyes, tiny features |
Start with 36G for the core, switch to 38G for shaping, finish with 40–42G for details.
| Project | Wool (oz) | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ornament (2–3") | 0.3–0.8 | 1–3 hrs | $0.50–$1 |
| Small Animal (3–4") | 0.5–2 | 3–6 hrs | $1–$3 |
| Medium Figure (5–7") | 1.5–5 | 8–15 hrs | $2–$6 |
| Large Sculpture (8–12") | 4–15 | 20–40 hrs | $5–$18 |
| Flat / 2D Picture | 0.5–3 | 2–4 hrs | $1–$4 |
Ranges assume medium density with mixed fiber. Firm density uses 50–80% more wool.
Inputs
Result
Volume = 6 × 3 × 3 × 0.5 = 27 cu in = 442.4 cm³. At 0.08 g/cm³ medium density, finished weight is 35.4 g. With 10% waste: 39.3 g (1.39 oz). Mixed fiber at 60/40 split costs $1.32.
Inputs
Result
Volume = 4 × 2.5 × 2.5 × 0.5 = 12.5 cu in = 204.8 cm³. At 0.05 g/cm³ loose density, finished weight is 10.2 g. With 10% waste: 11.4 g (0.40 oz). Core wool at $0.75/oz costs $0.30.
Inputs
Result
Volume = 10 × 6 × 5 × 0.5 = 150 cu in = 2,458 cm³. At 0.12 g/cm³ firm density, finished weight is 295.0 g. With 10% waste: 327.7 g (11.56 oz). Mixed fiber costs $10.99.
A small animal (3–4 inches) needs 0.5–2 oz of wool, a medium figure (5–7 inches) needs 1.5–5 oz, and a large sculpture (8–12 inches) can require 4–15 oz. Firm, dense sculptures need 50–80% more wool than loose, squishy ones because compressed fiber weighs more per cubic inch.
| Project Size | Wool (oz) | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ornament (2–3") | 0.3–0.8 | 1–3 hrs | $0.50–$1 |
| Small (3–4") | 0.5–2 | 3–6 hrs | $1–$3 |
| Medium (5–7") | 1.5–5 | 8–15 hrs | $2–$6 |
| Large (8–12") | 4–15 | 20–40 hrs | $5–$18 |
Start with a 36-gauge (coarse) needle for initial shaping and building the core. Switch to 38-gauge (medium) for general form building. Finish with 40-gauge (fine) for surface smoothing and 42-gauge (extra fine) for tiny details like eyes and expressions.
| Gauge | Type | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36G | Coarse | Fast | Core shaping |
| 38G | Medium | Moderate | General form |
| 40G | Fine | Slow | Surface detail |
| 42G | Extra Fine | Very slow | Eyes, tiny features |
Most felters use a combination: inexpensive core wool (Romney or Corriedale at ~$0.75/oz) for the interior bulk, and finer merino ($1.25/oz) for the visible surface. This mixed approach saves 30–40% compared to using merino for the entire project while still achieving a smooth, vibrant finish.
| Fiber | Cost/lb | Cost/oz | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romney (core) | $12 | $0.75 | Interior shaping |
| Corriedale | $14 | $0.88 | All-purpose |
| Merino | $20 | $1.25 | Surface detail |
| Mixed (60/40) | ~$15 | ~$0.95 | Best value |
Loose/soft felting uses about 0.05 g/cm³ of compressed fiber, medium density uses 0.08 g/cm³, and firm/dense uses 0.12 g/cm³. A firm sculpture needs roughly 2.4 times more wool than a loose one of the same size. Denser pieces hold detail better but cost more and take longer to felt.
| Density | g/cm³ | Shrinkage | Wool Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose / Soft | 0.05 | 30% | 1× (baseline) |
| Medium | 0.08 | 40% | 1.6× |
| Firm / Dense | 0.12 | 50% | 2.4× |
A small ornament takes 1–3 hours, a small animal 3–6 hours, a medium figure 8–15 hours, and a large detailed sculpture can take 20–40 hours or more. Time depends on density, detail level, and experience. Beginners should expect 50–100% longer than these ranges.
For 3D figures, multiply height × width × depth and apply a 0.5 occupancy factor for the irregular shape. For spherical ornaments, use (4/3) × π × r³. For flat pieces, use width × height × 0.5 inches (standard felt thickness). Convert cubic inches to cm³ by multiplying by 16.387.
Read our guide
Read our guide
Read our guide
Discover tools for fiber arts, candle making, soap crafting, resin art, and more.
Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.