Felting is the most ancient form of textile art, and predates weaving and spinning techniques. It is a craft of turning loose wool locks or wool roving into felt, a piece of fabric or textile, by combining and compressing the loose fibers or hair. Felt is a very thick, heavy fabric, ideal to keep one warm. Thus the reason why traditionally felting has been used in Central Asia, the Himalayas and Baltic countries for the creation of housing and clothing.
The two traditional methods of wet or dry felting has lately been evolving with different techniques adapted to different geographical regions, climates, cultures and uses as forms of art and fashion.