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WarmSummerSun — Yarn Tail Tutorial (Feline)

Published: 2012-08-16 06:02:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 196903; Favourites: 2135; Downloads: 743
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Description Yarn tails are becoming really popular, I'm seeing them everywhere now! I found the perfect yarn at my local craft store, so I had to try it out. Here's a tutorial showing exactly how I made my cat tail. Let me know if you have any questions!

Using the fur brush pulls out a lot of extra fluff. This is totally normal, and you can always save it to use as stuffing for plushies or what have you. It helps to have a plastic bag handy to stuff it all in.

EDIT: After a lot of wearing and brushing, I realized that despite how tight my knots were, the floofs can start to slide on the base. I went through and stitched them on by laying the tail flat and separating the floofs, revealing all the big knots. Then just go through with a long threaded needle and tack them to the base. Alternatively, tie your fluffs INTO the weave of the braid instead of AROUND it to stop them from sliding down!

EDIT Apr 2014: I recently made a great fluffy tail with "Loops & Threads" brand "Cozy Wool". It is 50% wool, 50% acrylic super bulky wool that I didn't straighten. I used longer strands to make a floofier tail (Instead of wrapping around your hand, wrap around a piece of cardboard or something that is wider than the span of your fingers) and only tied 4 strands together at a time. The tail has a cute wavy look as the fibres have not been straightened, just brushed out. I highly recommend this yarn!

Here's some great tips from friends and fellow users:

1. Try a really soft, chunky wool - you might not even have to straighten it and you need to use less wool!
2. Tie your fluffs into the braid instead of around it to stop them from sliding down the base!
3. Try separating the wool strands before brushing to prevent knots.

Total time: ~5 hours+ depending on length
Related content
Comments: 383

A-Strange-Cat In reply to ??? [2013-01-15 13:39:16 +0000 UTC]

I am the queen of procrastination when it comes to these, I found out... but my first one is done!
[link]

I don't have a hair straightener so it's all... frayed?

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WarmSummerSun In reply to A-Strange-Cat [2013-01-15 18:41:53 +0000 UTC]

Oh I looooove how blended the colours look! Without straightening the hairs its just "Floofier" really. Looks like your yarn wasnt too tightly woven though, so it isn't "Frizzy" which is what mine looked like with no straightening. Great work!!

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A-Strange-Cat In reply to WarmSummerSun [2013-01-16 15:23:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! This is the yarn I used: [link]

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WarmSummerSun In reply to A-Strange-Cat [2013-01-16 17:46:27 +0000 UTC]

Oh fantastic, that's good to know!! Thank you so much!

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Thadiius In reply to ??? [2012-12-17 05:43:09 +0000 UTC]

Definitely gonna try this .u. b

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Thadiius [2012-12-17 18:10:19 +0000 UTC]

Let me know how it goes, I'd love to see pictures

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Lexni In reply to ??? [2012-12-02 06:29:42 +0000 UTC]

This is just so awesome! I've always wanted a tail, and this looks like a great way to make one! How many balls of yarn did you need to buy to make it? I so want to try making one sometime, maybe this Christmas break!

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Lexni [2012-12-05 03:01:19 +0000 UTC]

Hey there!!! I don't even think I used a whole ball of yarn, so one should be fine! Let me know how it goes

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Lexni In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-12-08 20:29:17 +0000 UTC]

Wow that is good then! Will do ^.^

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Chibi-pets In reply to ??? [2012-10-31 19:19:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks this is really helpful ^^

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Lenoa-of-Elacas In reply to ??? [2012-09-06 02:46:29 +0000 UTC]

This looks fascinating. I'll have to try this sometime.

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Lenoa-of-Elacas [2012-09-06 15:26:30 +0000 UTC]

I was really surprised at the results!! I do reccommend you sew them on afterwards though, as even super-tight knots seemed to wiggle along the "spine" after a few hours of wear and brushing.

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Lenoa-of-Elacas In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-09-07 00:04:01 +0000 UTC]

I'd probably just make it and never wear it or anything. Probably pin it on my wall. I don't wear tails. I just like new art stuff. But I'll keep what you said in mind.

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Lenoa-of-Elacas [2012-09-11 15:40:17 +0000 UTC]

Oh that's even better then, you don't have to worry about it getting messed up!

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Lenoa-of-Elacas In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-09-12 16:05:12 +0000 UTC]

Indeed :3

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Pre-Served In reply to ??? [2012-09-04 04:02:02 +0000 UTC]

Can I use something else besides A cat/ dog brush? I dont have one and my mom wont get me one.

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Pre-Served [2012-09-04 04:27:35 +0000 UTC]

You could try a regular hairbrush, especially one with lots of thin bristles. It will definitely take longer, though. Getting really chunky/loosely spun wool will make it easier!

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FayloreDragon In reply to ??? [2012-08-29 01:43:03 +0000 UTC]

I learned how to do them a different way, I found the Bir tutorial ages ago and learned from that.
This is a great one though :3

I also have a two brands that I love use:
Simply Soft; it's beautiful and SUPER soft after straightened. I can get it from both Walmart and Michaels so when one doesn't have a color I need, the other usually does ^o^
I Love This Yarn; I don't have the actual Hobby Lobby store in my area, so I have to order it on line, but it's worth it.

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WarmSummerSun In reply to FayloreDragon [2012-08-29 07:43:28 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the wool recommendations, I will watch out for those!!

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Pre-Served In reply to ??? [2012-08-28 13:23:34 +0000 UTC]

THANK YOU! IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A TUTORIAL FOR THIS!

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WarmSummerSun In reply to Pre-Served [2012-08-28 15:45:31 +0000 UTC]

Woohoo!! Let me know how your tail turns out

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DoubleSNL In reply to ??? [2012-08-21 18:39:08 +0000 UTC]

Yours looks really cool
How many fluffs did you need for this?

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WarmSummerSun In reply to DoubleSNL [2012-08-27 17:30:29 +0000 UTC]

Hmm I'm actually not positive, as I made a whole bunch and then strung them together later.

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4r4nd0mninj4 In reply to ??? [2012-08-16 06:16:45 +0000 UTC]

~<3~

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MoogiMonster In reply to ??? [2012-08-16 06:11:57 +0000 UTC]

Is making a dog tail the same, just larger? ^w^;;

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WarmSummerSun In reply to MoogiMonster [2012-08-16 06:13:43 +0000 UTC]

You got it!! I would make the base thicker (make a huge thick braid out of lots of yarn), and maybe put the floofs closer together on the base. For something like a husky, you could also try weaving wire into the base.

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MoogiMonster In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-08-16 06:27:48 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the help! :3 My brother gave me his old hair straighteners to use yesterday, and now I can't wait to get my yarn out

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WarmSummerSun In reply to MoogiMonster [2012-08-16 06:30:55 +0000 UTC]

Be sure to take some pictures for me

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MoogiMonster In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-08-16 06:35:39 +0000 UTC]

I'll try ^w^;; My camera's dead so I'll have to use my half-assed computer webcam xD

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TimmCosplay In reply to ??? [2012-08-16 06:09:04 +0000 UTC]

Cool beans. Who knew you could make something so fluffy out of yarn?

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WarmSummerSun In reply to TimmCosplay [2012-08-16 06:14:38 +0000 UTC]

I know! When I saw a yarn tail for the first time I couldn't believe it. It looks so much nicer than faux fur and moves more naturally. There is also so much potential for colour/pattern customization.

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TimmCosplay In reply to WarmSummerSun [2012-08-16 17:57:50 +0000 UTC]

So very true.

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