Here is my attempt at a tutorial. It's kinda long so I didn't include all the photos. Let me know how it goes.
Yarn Kitty
Supplies:
Thin stiff cardboard for pattern pieces(poster board is too thin - see measurements below)
1 skein of soft yarn
Crochet string
Animal nose (10mm)
Cat eyes (12mm)
Felt scraps – color to match yarn and pink
Fishing line for whiskers
Small sharp scissors
Tapestry needle
Aleene’s Tacky Glue
Make the cardboard patterns
Cut two for body 7 x 1 3/8 inches
Cut two for the head 7 x 1 3/8 inches
Cut two for the tail 6 ½ x ½
Cut four for the legs 9 ½ x ¾
Outer ear triangle 2 inch triangle
Inner ear triangle 1 1/2 inch triangle
Wrapping the yarn:
You need to wrap each pattern piece (except the two ear triangle pieces) with the yarn. You want to wrap it tight enough to stay on the pattern but loose enough to get scissors underneath of it.
Begin by leaving a “yarn tail”. Then start to wrap your yarn around the pattern. This will catch the “yarn tail” and hold it down.
As you go, push your yarn wraps close together but do not let them overlap. The more yarn on your pattern piece the bigger the kitty. Try to wrap each piece evenly or your kitty will have a lopsided look when done.
Wrap to the end of each pattern piece. Then cut the yarn and use Scissors or a pencil to tuck the end of the yarn tail under the wraps.
Forming the kitty:
Cut a piece of crochet string approx. 3 yards long. Thread the tapestry needle and knot both ends together with a large knot. You will be working with a double strand of thread.
Begin with the first tail pattern. Along one long side begin to sew “through” the yarn NOT under it. Catch each yarn wrap only once as you go. Any missed threads will shed out of your cat later.
DO NOT knot or cut the yarn when done. You will make the cat with one continuous piece of string.
On the opposite long side from the stitching you will cut the yarn wraps away from the pattern piece.
Gently push each of the pieces of yarn down the string. It will look like a long pompom.
Continue this process and add the second tail pattern.
Add a ½ inch piece of felt to the string. Make the color close to the kitty color but
NOT exact. You need to be able to find this felt piece later.
Continue the above process and add the two body patterns. Add another piece of felt after the two body sections. Continue the process and add the two head patterns. Push yarn down snuggly. At this point tie off the end of the string by looping it under a few of the yarn strands and making a knot. DO NOT CUT THE THREAD OFF. I usually put a small dot of fray check on all my knots.
Find the piece of felt between the head and body patterns. Pull the needle through the felt and gently pull back the head pattern. This will give your kitty shape. Knot and cut the thread at this point.
Re-knot your thread. Repeat the above process to make one of the legs.
Find the felt section between the head and body and attach the leg (opposite the side you pulled the head back to). Knot and cut the thread. Add a dot of fray check to the knot. Continue this process with the second front leg.
Now find the felt piece between the tail and body. Repeat the process and attach the two back legs.
Neck ribbon:
Tie a piece of ribbon around the neck to further define the head.
Ears:
Cut 2 pieces of felt the color of your kitty using the “outer ear” pattern. Cut 2 pieces of pink felt using the “inner ear” pattern.
Place the pink piece on top of the other and bring the lower corners together overlapping them slightly. Tack them together with 2 or 3 stitches. Glue the ears to the top of the head using tacky glue. I like to spread the yarns apart a little and set the ears down into the head.
Face:
I also like to separate the yarns when applying the facial features so they are set down into the kitty’s head.
Using tacky glue, glue on the eyes.
Cut three pieces of fishing line for whiskers. Tie them around the nosepiece. Glue the nose on.
You can add a felt tongue to the kitty if you like.
You can trim around the facial features to make them stand out more. You can also trim any stray yarns on the kitty’s body.
Add a drop of fray check to the knot on the kitty’s tail and legs. Then trim the string.
Enjoy your kitty
button to nominate it!
