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Can I needle felt a fox? The (I hope) making of a fox

 
steward
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My daughter's friend's birthday is coming soon, and she would like a fox. I've never made a fox before (I've made a dog, lots of dragons, and a cat and pig five years ago). I'm hoping that means I'll manage a fox.

First, we scour the internet for fox pictures. First from the side:





Fluffy fox is cutest fox


Now from the front:





So fluffy!








I even found pictures of foxes from above!



[edit] Need more fluffy red foxes in winter for reference:





[/edit]

With wire structure in place, it's time to make an armature. I hate making wire armatures, but for animals with skinny legs, it's pretty necessary.
20250804_212139.jpg
Generic proportions. Now to see if I have the right color of orange, and enough of it for the fox. I might make it in white, and then add orange on top...
Generic proportions. Now to see if I have the right color of orange, and enough of it for the fox. I might make it in white, and then add orange on top...
 
Rusticator
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Oooo! I'm excited to see this one!! Please do keep us posted on your process?
 
Nicole Alderman
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I got a bit of work done on it last night. It's now firmly in the "this looks terrible! What did I do? How is this ever going to turn out" stage. I'm also remembering just how much I hate this particular wool roving color. Instead of being solid orange, it's orange hue is a mixture of red and yellow roving. This just ends up looking too vibrant and not-animal-like.
20250804_235632.jpg
Behold, the horror! I also realized foxes usually have black (dark brown?) feet. I might just rip off the wool on the feet to fix it.
Behold, the horror! I also realized foxes usually have black (dark brown?) feet. I might just rip off the wool on the feet to fix it.
 
Carla Burke
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I *think* black? But, maybe a mix of lustrous black & very dark brown would look more realistic?
 
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nice there is so sweet
 
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I'd say you already have a pretty good start at it! The pipecleaner armature is a godo way to go. As a funny aside, the craft store I worked for used to sell felting kits, including a fox. While browsing the internet I saw someone showing off their work...
 
Nicole Alderman
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Nicole Alderman
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The best part of needle felting, I think, it that it's so forgiving. You can have a fox that looks terrible. But, you can still add more wool and even cut off wool. You can turn anything from the "Oh no, what have I done" stage to "Hey, this looks like a fox!"
 
Nicole Alderman
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Part of the reason I make these threads, is because it's so easy to stop, disheartened, at the "This looks terrible! How is ever going to turn into what I want??!?" stage. Your creation and look SO BAD, and you can feel so hopeless (at least I do!). But, if you push through it and keep poking, things will get better!

I'm not sure if I want to have the light yellowish orange on the face or not. It helps with the shape of the face, but also doesn't blend with the burnt orange well...
20250806_114708.jpg
Look how terrible this is! I started adding cheek puffs, and it just looks like a demented sheep
Look how terrible this is! I started adding cheek puffs, and it just looks like a demented sheep
20250806_115520.jpg
Maybe making an ear will help? I felt the ear separately, leaving the bottom of the ear fluffy and unfelted so it attaches well
Maybe making an ear will help? I felt the ear separately, leaving the bottom of the ear fluffy and unfelted so it attaches well
20250806_121336.jpg
Ears and color blocking on the fox face helps SO MUCH!
Ears and color blocking on the fox face helps SO MUCH!
20250806_121342.jpg
From the side, looking better.
From the side, looking better.
20250806_132300.jpg
Added in ear fluff and added a lot more fluff everywhere. I have the nice burnt-orange on the face now
Added in ear fluff and added a lot more fluff everywhere. I have the nice burnt-orange on the face now
20250806_132308.jpg
I found this lovely dark brown wool that a friend gave me. It's perfect for the legs!
I found this lovely dark brown wool that a friend gave me. It's perfect for the legs!
20250806_132313.jpg
Top view. I'm bulking out with the fiery orange, and then adding the burnt orange on top. It's cause a cool Ombre look for now!
Top view. I'm bulking out with the fiery orange, and then adding the burnt orange on top. It's cause a cool Ombre look for now!
 
Carla Burke
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I love that! It's coming together, beautifully!
 
Nicole Alderman
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I stabbed the fox a lot more times, thickening everything--especially the tail. I'm not quite sure what to do about the color. The blended orange roving is super bright, but, my husband thinks it looks magical.
20250806_172209.jpg
Still needs more tightening up and 'polishing,' but its looking a lot more fox-like
Still needs more tightening up and 'polishing,' but its looking a lot more fox-like
20250806_172200.jpg
From the side. Such a chonky tail!
From the side. Such a chonky tail!
20250806_172215.jpg
3/4th view. Something is off about the ears, but I can't figure out what
3/4th view. Something is off about the ears, but I can't figure out what
20250806_172221.jpg
View from above.
View from above.
 
Carla Burke
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I think maybe they're a little too round? I searched 'red fox ears', images, and they all seemed a bit pointier, to me? Like maybe a little more trianglular?
 
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I agree with Carla, the ears need to be more like a triangle. I think you started with the right shape, and they rounded a bit as you stabbed more wool in.

The color is a tad brighter than in nature, but it is beautiful.
 
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