This eyecatching scarf is surprisingly easy to make and has loads of scope for personalising it with your own design. It requires a basic knowledge of sewing and a sewing machine. (I've used an overlocker but thats just because i've got one, a sewing machine will still give you great results)

A new instructable every week on www.alittlestranger.com

EDIT: The creatures scarves in my etsy shop are sold out, to be the first to know when new things go on sale add me on twitter @alittlestranger or go to www.alittlestranger.com to join my mailing list

Step 1: You Will Need:

Materials
a) Lining fabric (i've used fleece)
b) Fur fabric
c) Felt scraps to make the face

Tools
d) Sewing scissors with sharp points
e) Marker Pen
f) Tape Measure or ruler
g) Chisel or craft knife (for making the button hole, you dont need these if you're not using a button closure)
h) Pins
i) Button (you could use velcro or a snap fastener if you're not confident at button holes)
j) Thread to match fabric

Large piece of paper or card cut into a 90x20cm rectangle

Step 2: Cutting Out Your Main Pieces

Steps 1-5 show you how to make this scarf from a half metre of fabric. If you're lucky enough to have a whole metre of lush fur fabric just use the paper template to cut the 90x20cm rectangle and skip to step 6.

1) Take the 90x20cm template you've cut from paper and place it on your fur fabric. I've drawn on an arrow to show what way you want the fur to be facing.

2) Draw 2 side by side and cut out

Tip: Use your pointy scissors to cut through just the fabric backing, rather than the fur itself. This avoids short patches in the fur :)

3) Tip - for a neater finish trim the fur down in a 5mm margin all the way round the edge of the fur pieces, this avoids excess fibers bulking up the seams.

4) Lay the pieces out with the grain of the fur going the same way on each piece. Pin them in place and then sew them together, making one long piece.

5) Put your template back on top and use it to trim the fur to the right size

6) Use the template to mark out your lining, then cut this out too.

7) Heres your main scarf pieces. Left to right: template, lining, fur.

Step 3: Sew on the Face!

This is the fun part! The scarf pattern is really universal so you can make it whatever you want. Add long ears and make a bunny, a horn and its a unicorn, give it red cheeks and you have a pikachu :)

8) Cut out the eyes. I drew around thread spools to make the eyes.

9) Cut out the mouth. I did this freehand, i cut out the black shape of the mouth first and then the teeth and tongue to fit.

10) Lay the face pieces out and adjust till you're happy with them.

11) Tip: For the mouth i used layers of felt (dark pink mouth, white teeth later and the red tongue) i sewed the teeth and tongue to the pink mouth part to make one complete piece that the goes on the scarf. This is much easier than wrestling with little pieces of felt that can be dificult to pin through the fluffy fur.

12) Pin the features on and sew into place. I used zig zag stitch all around

13) TIp: If the fur is long and getting in the way of the face, trim it away with some pointy scissors. Snip a little at a time and keep the point of the scissors nearly vertical. This avoids cutting blunt patches

Step 4: Assemble the Main Scarf Pieces

14) Pin the lining on top of the fur, good sides together. Pin each of the four corners then pin all the way round at regular intervals.

Tip: If you place the pins at 90 degrees to the raw edge your sewing machine will sew easily over them without damaging the needle :)

15) Sew along all edges, leaving one end open. Turn the scarf inside out by reaching into this gap you've left, grabbing the opposite end of the scarf, and pulling it out of the gap. Sew the open end shut with a neat ladder stitch

Step 5: Attatch Your Button

16) Mark your button hole. The button hole goes on the tail end of the scarf around 12cm up from the middle. If you're unsure put the scarf around your neck and find where it naturally crosses over itself at the front.

17) Sew and cut your button hole. I like to use a sharp chisel and cut it out little by little, checking it against the button each time to ensure snug fit.

18) Sew on your button. The button goes on the lining side of the face end. Pull the fur apart exposing the backing where your sttches come through. Hold the fur flat with your fingers and sew right through, this way when you brush it back over the fur will cover the stitches.

Ta daaaa! you're all done! Now put it on and run round like a scary monster! or if you made a bunny one, eat some lettuce i guess :)

A new instructable every week on www.alittlestranger.com

EDIT: The creatures scarves in my etsy shop are sold out, to be the first to know when new things go on sale add me on twitter @alittlestranger or go to www.alittlestranger.com to join my mailing list