Felting a Mini Kitty From Your Cat's Fur

Intro: Felting a Mini Kitty From Your Cat's Fur

My cat has a never ending amount of fur that comes out when I brush him. I always thought, "I could make a whole cat with all this fur!" Well, why don't I; it'd be hilarious, disturbingly adorable, and upcycling all at the same time. So, in this tutorial, I'll teach you how to make a mini pet with your pet's own fur.

For those who don't know, felt is a textile material that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. It can really be made out of any material.

STEP 1: Supplies

I didn't have to buy anything for this project. You just need some common household items.

-A handful of pet fur

-A sharp needle (they specifically make felting needles for this type of work, but it's not necessary to go out and buy one. Any needle will do)

-Thread to match color of fur

-2 small beads to match your pet's eye color (ok, I guess normal ppl don't have tiny beads laying around. You can use any small round object you find: buttons, squins, googly eyes, seeds, etc)

-Thimble (optional)

STEP 2: Gather Fur

As I brushed my cat, I collected about 3 clumps of fur off his brush. It was more than enough to make a tiny kitty, but if you want to make a bigger version, then collect a lot more fur.

STEP 3: The Body

Take a small bit of fur and roll it into a loose ball between your hands. This will mat it down a little bit and get the beginnings of your shape.

Take your needle and poke it into the ball repeatedly. This process will cause the fur to knot itself together making it compact and hold the shape you want. Make sure to poke all sides of the ball to shape it evenly. There will be A LOT of poking involved so be patient and be very careful not to poke your fingers. It might be best to wear a thimble on your thumb so you don't stab yourself. Even being slow and careful, I still managed to poke myself a lot lol.

After awhile the ball will feel firm and there will be less stray hairs sticking out. This is when you know you're done poking.

To turn the ball more into an oval shape for the body, take a small piece of lose fur and place it on one side of the ball. Poke the extra fur through the ball until they stick together and form one oval shape. You can repeat this process to make the body longer, if you'd like.

The more you poke, the denser your shape will be, but it will also get smaller with more poking.

STEP 4: Head

Repeat steps from making the body to create a ball for the head. It's best to start off small and add to it.

To make the head bigger, take a small amount of fur and wrap it around the ball. Poke until they are knotted together.

STEP 5: Attaching the Head to the Body

Place the head on the body where you want it to stay. While holding it in place, poke the base of the head where it rests on the body to knot them together. Be sure not to poke to far up the head because then you'll lose the round shape. You can also poke from underneath the body a few times into the base of the head for extra security.

Continue to poke along the base of the head until it is secure to the body.

If you lose the roundness of the head in the process, just poke into neck (where the head joins the body). This will compact that area creating more shape.

If the body wont stand by itself once the head is attached, then poke the bottom of the body to flatten it out a little.

STEP 6: Ears

Make 2 tiny balls to sit on top of the head. This is where it gets a little tricky because the ears are so small; so be careful!

Rub one end of the ball between your fingers to create a pointy end.

STEP 7: Attaching Ears

Start by holding one ear in place. Poke all around the ear, but pinch the end occasionally to keep the shape.

After that one is firmly attached, attach the other one.

STEP 8: Tail

Take another small clump of hair and roll it between your fingers to create a cylinder shape. Poke and condense the fur. Hold the tail in place on the body and poke at the base of the tail where it meets the body (as you did to attach the head and ears).

To give the tail more of an S shape, fold the tail over and just poke a few times through the part that overlaps. The more you poke, the more bent the tail will be. Repeat this again further up the tail.

STEP 9: Eyes

The eyes are attached with thread. Stick your needle in through the back of the head to come out the front where you want the eye. Put the bead on the thread. Put the needle back through roughly where the thread came out. You'll have both ends of the thread sticking out of the back. Tie the ends into a knot. Cut the excess as short as you can so the knot can be a bit more hidden.

Repeat for the second eye.

STEP 10: Bam! You're Done

Lastly, trim any hairs that are sticking out.

Enjoy your new mini kitty!

Comments

[siobhanwoodward-sw]

Really struggled getting this far even, I honestly couldn't get the body to bond properly! Love the idea though and I don't think it is gross at all, I'm always covered my my kitties fur may as well give them a lovely groom and make use of their fur!

[LeslieGeee]

Please to all those who think that needle felting is gross research it and how traditional roving is made. Research animals made from needle felting you will be amazed. Alicia, gave a simplified version of this art form to possibly introduce people to this. There are needle felting artists that you would be amazed by what they can create. Do the research you might be pleasantly surprised and may decide to try your hand at this art form. The tools are not that expensive. Thank you Alicia for doing your tutorial and introducing a different type of material to use. I was also thinking that dog fur might be used too :)

[coffeedragon4]

I love the idea. I do think its a bit gross though

[LeslieGeee]

Hi Coffee, Why do you think this is gross? I know that is how you feel but if you were to take up traditional needle felting you would use roving which is made from sheep wool or cotton or similar fibers? I am not trying to have an argument I am just wondering why you think this is gross. Read up on needle felting and how roving is made which usually there is a process of washing and carding etc. Very interesting, and you might take up the hobby of felting:). needle felted animals

[PolarBear]

I'm pretty sure all normal people do have beads lying around, maybe that's just ppl i know. THIS IS SO COOL, i think i can make a sweater for my cat with all the hair. hehehhehehhehe

[guidess]

Hahaha! This is so gross, but totally awesome!!! I just love it!! Hope I can steal your idea to try to make donkey fur donkeys once they start to shed. It's actually a pretty cool idea for a fundraiser for sanctuaries.

[RCEM]

Thats so cute! Love it!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is certainly a one of a kind felted cat :)