Wet felting or needle felting for a 7yo?

[TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern]

DD did some wet felting when we went to the British Wool Weekend and really loved it.
I have loads of wool around because I spin so it seems like quite a good craft for her to try.

Which would be better for her to start with? Is needle felting easy? What can she do more independently? She got some great results with the wet felting but clearly it is a bit....wet!

[waitandseepudding]

Having tried both recently, I'd say needle felting. She'll see results much faster and it's much easier to be accurate with a design.
Wet felting is a lot of fun but it requires more time and space (and, at that age probably more adult help with 'rolling' etc.)
She can pick up and put down the needle felting from one time to the next.

[FlamingoBingo]

Needle felting a bit scary, though, with a little one! How dextrous is she with sharp implements? I'd do it with my 7 year old, but I know plenty I wouldn't let anywhere near felting needles. They've got barbs all the way along, so stabbing yourself with one can be pretty nasty.

You can do wet felting a little easier if you stick the whole thing in a sandwich bag and tie the ends. Or you can do it in a large disposable baking tray. We do wet-felted balls sometimes - you just have to roll it around in your hand a lot, occasional dipping it into hot soapy water - nice to do together while you're chatting :)

[TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern]

Thanks both.

DD won't hurt herself with the sharp implements but is likely to leave them somewhere her brothers can get them.
Maybe I should wait a bit until she's older.

[Dingle]

I haven't tried either, but have been tempted to in the past. I would be concerned about the needle too, isn't it quite sharp and barbed?

[EdgarAllansPo]

The needles are very sharp, but you can get special bobbins which have shields which cover the needles. It doesn't stop anyone from stabbing themselves if they needle felt through something they're holding. (I still bear the scars!)

[EdgarAllansPo]

You could try wet felting slippers/thick socks together. Start off with making them 4x as big (twice length, and twice width, etc.) as you want them when finished. You can add a cotton lining if sensitive to wool.