Yarn Tail: Easy Realistic Tail Tutorial Part 1 

*FAQs!!! PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING!* 1)Q: *Will you make me a tail?* A: Yes I will. I have some up on my etsy: (www.etsy.com/shop/Zullala) and I am willing to make you a custom tail. I charge $3 an inch. 2) Q: *Can I use this method to make a MLP/horse tail?* A: It might work ok for PinkyPie, but if ya'll want to make a horse tail, you should check out my video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SM_TEkUoQZg.html (My Little Pony Tail Tutorial (Super Basic)) ^__^ 3) Q: *Is it normal to have so much extra fluff left over in the brush?* A: Yes, this is completely normal. You can use the extra fluff as stuffing. 4) Q: *What brand of yarn do you use?* A: "I Love This Yarn" brand, specifically "520 Naturals Stripes I Love this Yarn!". 5) Q: *I can't get that brand, what else can I use?* A: Yarns that are 100% Acrylic or 100% wool usually work out. Buy several different brands, make one knotted fluff with each brand, brush each knotted fluff out, then straiten it, and compare the knotted fluffs to see which is your favorite. Then exchange the yarns that you did not like for the yarn you did like. 6) Q: *Can I use Red Heart yarn?* A: Yes, you can use it. I personally don't like it because I think the fibers stick together and it's not as soft as I Love This Yarn. 7) Q: *What color is the yarn used in the video?* A: I'm using "520 Naturals Stripes I Love this Yarn!", but I normally don't pay attention to the names of the colors when I buy the yarn. I take a picture of a real tail with me and hold the picture up to the yarns and see if the color of the yarn is in the tail. 8) Q: *What weight and ply was the yarn you used?* A: It was 7oz and I don't remember the ply. 9) Q: *Does the base have to be a 4 strand braid, can I used a 3 strand braid?* A: Yes, it has to be a 4 strand braid so that there will be a place to put the elastic loop. Also, "Gilbert Beilschmidt" said he used an old T-shirt to make his 4 strand braid base. It's a good alternative to yarn. 10) Q: *How long is the tail?* A: 29in long. 11) Q: *How long is the guide string?* A: It is 6in long. 12) Q: *How many fluffs do you use?* A: YOU DON'T COUNT THE FLUFFS. That would take forever haha. I used 1 skein of yarn for the base and 5 skeins for the fluffs. 13) Q: *How many skeins of yarn do you use to make your tail?* A: 1 skein for the base and 5 skeins for the fluffs 14) Q: *If I make my tail X inches long and my base X inches wide, how much yarn will I need?* A: I have no idea, I don't do math. 15) Q: *How can I make a cat tail?* A: Make the base of the tail about the width of a half dollar and also make your fluffs shorter, maybe 1 or 2 inches long. That should yield a cat tail. For a more realistic effect make the end of your tail a little fluffier than the base. 16) Q: *How do you attach the tail?* A: I just slip a belt through the elastic loop and belt it on. You can prolly also clip the tail to your costume, sew it on, or velcro it on. Use your imagination. 17) Q: *Can I use my hairbrush?* A: A NORMAL BRUSH WILL NEVER WORK! Use a DOG BRUSH or CAT BRUSH. I suggest splurging for a the $5 dog brush because it has a button on it that helps you get the fluff out. It helps you from poking your fingers. The tail that I have made in the video is specifically a wolf tail. It's extra large and fluffy! SOOooo super cuddly :D!

Years later this is still one of the better tutorials on fluff

I made this to wear to school and pretty much everyone didn't bully me. it made me very happy about how it looked! now today a teacher comes up to me and says that I should stop wearing my tail and I'm like "why? it makes me happy" now, I made the tail, I bought the yarn (8$ for yarn) and my family doesn't have a lot of money. she says "there's a time and a place for everything and tails for classes isn't the right time. I have a job, what if I showed up with a tail? school is like a job, its YOUR job. see, it's like my game on my phone, its fun to play but there's a time and a place for it." I don't play with it during class or distract others from working. if you play a game, you're not getting your work done but I'm getting my work done on time and getting perfect grades. wearing a tail is who I am and I don't want to change. please, comment suggestions because I don't want to give up wearing tails just to please her. (FYI, she's not a very important teacher for me, just my reading groups on friday.)

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd share a tip. When measuring and cutting your yarn, tie the knot BEFORE you cut the yarn! This will free up both your hands for cutting since you won't be worried about holding the yarn is position! I found this much easier than the other way around. =)

I've made several tails from this tutorial, one being a tail for Nepeta (homestuck) another for Umbreon (Pokemon, and my first tail) and the most recent one being for Foxy (Five Nights at Freddy's) but I'm finally coming back to make a realistic wolf tail, and I'm going to make it the best one yet! Thank you so much for this tutorial!

Me: * buys yarn * * finds video tutorial * Video: don't use red heart yarn Me: * looks at yarn * well shit

I am making one right now, and I love how well you explained it all, the supplies cost me only 5€ on wool and a pet brush, so that's amazing, and since I'm able to make it myself, it will be the colors I want it to be! Thank you a million times for this tutorial!

I know when I first started making my yarn tails I was sOOooo super excited to sell them... then halfway through I realized the time needed was not worth the money I could charge hahaha. I am so glad everyone liked your tail ^^

Thank you for this tutorial! I actually used it for a more unorthodox use; I wanted to make a nice mustache for a Monopoly Man costume (as we have to have our costumes tonight for a thing), and I remembered this tutorial. I'm glad to say that it turned out pretty well! There were some mistakes I made, but overall, it's MUCH better than what I could have done otherwise!

that moment when you only have red heart yarn 😅

We all know the pain of accidentally scraping the brush on your finger...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I most likely won't want to wear this to school because of bullies but anywhere else, it would be perfect.

I used the red heart yarn and it worked great for me

Ha ha!! Already messed up on the first tip... “don’t buy Red Heart yarn.” 😂

My favourite saying; "Well hello again again!" I died and idk why

I was trying to find something to use my brown and yellow yarn for, so I'm gonna test this to make an Eevee tail!

I've made 2 out of red heart yearn and it is very soft and never broke for me

"I Love This Yarn" brand ^^

You sound like mable pines from gravity falls

Oww this tutorial is just perfect. I think I'm gonna use it to make a Cheshire cat tail, just hope that I won't have any problem with the stripes... Thank you so much for sharing your talents !

I've been using my cat brush.. and brushing groups of 2-3 will keep it from losing so much hair ;D

Thank you this was so helpful compared to other tutorials

Rip i would want a custom ears and tail but it doesnt ship to my country and im not sure where to buy the yarn you used ;w;

I'm scared to try this out considering every time I find a project that looks easy, I'm ALWAYS finding a way to accidentally mess it up. But this has to be the best tutorial I have seen to make fluffy tails like these. I'm trying to make a fox tail for my fox cosplay for a con and I'm definitely doing this. Thank you so much for doing this video xD

"LOVE THIS YARN", it is 100% acrylic

I would use this to make a cat tail I LOVE CATS 😻😻😻😻🐈🐅🐆

"Pro tip: Don't use Red Heart brand yarn." I am using the two rolls I just bought to dry my tears of frustration. 😂

I never would have thought yarn could be used in such a way before. I'm a Fox Fur, and after stumbling apon this tutorial, I now plan to make my own. I been wanting to buy one for years now, but all the fox tails I see were either not the size I wanted, not the right color, and all stuffed and not wiggly like the ones you've made. So I believe this tut will help me out a bunch, so thank you for making this when you did. I plan on making a deep red color with a pure whit tip.

I'm making this for my daughter who's a therian. She will love it. Thank you so much for this tutorial 🐺❤

Dang 11 years ago!

IM SO MAKING A WHITE ONE FOR MY MANGLE COSPLAY

You're so anime and precious thank you for this tutorial. I'm making a squirrel tail and adding a wire in my braid so it stays up!

Thank you for the advice! I let go of my perfectionist side to rows and sewed them on randomly... and now, I got a beautiful brown fox tail! Thank you for showing this tutorial, it was extremely helpful! Now,, I (and the many people who've done the same tail) will have awesome self-confidence instead of wearing a pillow. You're awesome!

PROTIP

*takes look at the brand of yarn I have.* “Red Heart” *screams in rage*

I used Hometown USA Super bulky yarn to make mine, and it was a lot faster, and VERY THICK AND PRETTY. I don't think I wanna use any other yarn. It brushes out beautifully, straightener makes it nice and shiny, and it is just awesome :D

I honestly love the way the tail without flat ironing it. It's so fluffy. But you do you

How tf did I come here from a dark souls vid?

"I Love This Yarn"

I did this and lets say I was in love! Also I used the yarn that doesn't work. And it was true it barely even worked.

i wore my fur tail to the PA Anthrocon and i got some real nice compliments! a seasoned vendor was charging about $40 for pillow-stitch bunny tail for suits (normal fursuit style)--but my unique yarn tail stood out like a sore paw. an amateur vendor had a small table with about 5 small yarn tails on it, and when i walked by, she said "DAMN, how long did that one take you?" i said 2 weeks and 800 fluffs later. "YOU SHOULD SELL BIG ONES LIKE YOURS! think of the cash!" i said nope, self-only.

Now we need to make a knot. No no. Not THAT type of knot! ;)

Zullala what kind of yarn did you use the make the fluffs for the tail?? Thanks

I used this method to make several tails. this is by far the best way of making them.it takes a LOT of time to brush out all of the wool/yarn. I managed to make one of these in two days.curently im working on one thats about 30'' long.its taken about a week so far. It's best to use 100% acrilic wool,if you dont,your gonna end up with burnt wool/yarn.i wasted so many balls doing that. :)

I used a chain once, but it made the tail more heavy than it needed to be. With the sewing, you don't need to be accurate with it. You can just randomly sew the fluffs on. Tying them on was a good idea too ^^. New, sewing vs tying the fluffs shouldn't make the tail any more or less fluffy. Yay so glad you finished your tail and like it.

so amazing your talented

The light base is the solid yarn base (like in this tutorial). The heavy base had a small chain in the center of the braided yarn.

What I've seen so far with the few different yarns I have purchased is that the softer it feels, the better it will probably be for a tail, usually regardless of brand. And if you buy the right Red Heart yarn it works very well. You must have only used their cheap crappy yarn that comes in larger bundles. I tried that cheaper yarn of theirs once and it is definitely no good for yarn tails, but their other yarn which comes in bundles about half the size for about the same cost as the bigger ones works great.

I know you said not to use RedHeart yarn but i found it really works for me, it doesn't break too easily for me. i tried the other yarn you use and they both work well for me.

if too much of the yarn is coming off and shortens the fluff too much, try brushing from the bottom working up to the top. I find this helps creating much less fluffs falling out during brushing and makes it fluffier :)

You have so much enthusiasm!!! I never once got bored while watching this tutorial :) I can't wait to make a tail!

I am so happy that this tutorial was helpful to you ^^.

this helped so much! i just finished my first tarn tail it its so pretty! thank you so much!!!!

Glad you were able to find something that worked for you :D. I'm glad you are having fun. Thank you ^_^.

Yea I just remembered that. I've started mine ^~^ it's so fluffy as I continue ^~^ Can't wait til it's finished

I used one of my dads old shirts for my base and it worked beautifully. Before I used such, I tried a yarn base and failed at making one, wasting three skeins of yarn. I found the shirt to work better for me as it was also a lightweight and free moving core that ended up to be very long and worked well for my height. It also helped with my sewing as it was my first yarn tail and sewing onto cotton was much easier for me. My tail turned out great and it moves as well as it would have if I were to use a yarn base.

You can use it for stuffing. You might also be able to make felt dreads out of it.

If you want your fluffs thicker, then add more strands to them. I personally like thin fluffs because I feel like it makes the tail look more realistic, but yeah, it's a lot more work.

Something that I dont think she mentioned for the straightening portion: 1.be careful on what your yarn is made of. Certain yarns will melt. I like using 100% acrylic yarn, but you guys can use whatever you want, just be sure that the yarn can't melt. 2. Keep your flat iron on the lowest possible setting so ensure that whatever you are using, will not melt.

this is the best channel i found in years. im gonna make that tail right now

I love the dress u r wearing when you made the fluffs !

This tutorial is fantastic! I recommend using yarn specifically for babies (I use Patons Beehive Baby Chunky yarn.) Most yarn for babies tends to be SUPER soft, because of their sensitive skin. I'm making my kitten tail out of it, and the softness is divine.

I use Red Heart Soft. I've made ears a wig, and a tail, but I crocheted the core and then tied pieces in. It didn't work so well. This way should work a lot better!

Thanks so much for sharing your technique. I don't think I have the patience to do a large tail, but I love the idea for my bjd's! I could see even attempting a wig using a similar method, and other items for my clay figures. I'm so inspired to try a few different things.

Oh yay, I am so happy that you enjoyed the tutorial ^__^

i love the dress when you were brushing

Glad you found the video helpful and thank you :D I reference the picture of the real wolf tail the entire time. I sew color on in accordance to what I see on the pic. I'm sorry, but i don't remember the exact colors I used. I just took a pic of a real tail to the hobby store and then picked out colors that matched.

sweet thanks. i might have to make one in the next couple of days. they look better than anything ive seen online or at the store. very glad i held out and found your vids!!

lol, I actually answered both of those questions in the tutorial. But just this once I'll answer it here too. I used 6 strings for each fluff and the guid string is about 6 inches long.

thank you very much for the detailed tutorial, Zullala 💕

I've been making tails for about a year now and I would have never thought to use the toe hand method lol definitely going g to use it. I'll put up a picture of my next tail to show how I used your method

You can use those yarns, they just aren't as soft. Yes, it is normal for lots of fluff to come off when brushing.

you remind me very much of Mabel Pines lol also, super tutorial!! i hope to make a horse mane using your technique~

I'm still on the tuff's stage but this is an amazing time sink for when I'm at work and I need to keep my hands busy. (Night-shift elder care) it's very quiet, time consuming and you have to stay alert for it.This will make my Arcanine cosplay look amazing. Thank you so much for the guide.

I don't use wool for the base. I use Red Heart yarn for the base. I then use "I Love This Yarn" for the fluffs. If you do not have that brand where you live, then you will have to try different things and see what works for you.

No store where I live had Red Heart OR I Love This Yarn brands, so I ended up buying Lion Brand. It doesnt like being brushed out, so we're having to untwist the yarn before we brush it out. Other than that, I am having a blast making my fox tail! Thank you for the video!!!

Cool. I'm going to try this. Also, love the skirt or dress you had on at the beginning.

Oh wow so awesome will use this i love how you call them fluffs

I've found that straightening the yarn before brushing it out makes it easier. And it is possible to use a regular brush, it's what I've been using. I'm also just using a standard braid for the base with 3 parts, not 4 parts

have thought of making a squirrel tail, I'm trying to figure out what would be good for the guard hairs. Squirrel's tails seem to have thick hairs that stand strait up. I'm sure there is a way to get it to work though. Thank you, I'm glad you like the tutorial :D

It can be skipped, but your fluffs will have a kinky texture to them. I only use one skein for the middle of the tail (the base).

this may sound feral but, I couldn't find a dog brush so I used a headlice comb instead XDD thanks so much for your help, zullala!

You do not need to count the fluffs. Use 5 skeins of yarn to make the fluffs. I just brush it with my dog brush every now and again. But I think you can use any brush after it's finished :3.

YOOO this tutorial is actually so awesome!! I only needed a tiny bit of tail fluff for a cosplay i needed and didnt wanna spend 20 dollars per yard at joannes 😅 ALSO I love your voice!!! you're so fun and easy to follow :> ❤

You will have to go to a beauty supply shop that cells wigs and tracks of hair. I normally just buy it online. Some tangible stores that might carry it might be: Urban Beauty, U Top, and maybe Sally's

I have had my fox tail for two years now and it looks just as good as when I made it.

This is just the most awesomest way to make a fluffy tail!!! I'm making one for a future cosplay (Caster(Tamamo-no-Mae) from "Fate/Extra") I'm gonna do and when I easily noticed how fluffy her tail was, I instantly remembered this video!

would've never guessed you could do that with yarn!!! amazing!!!!

Im almost done and its looking great! my room mate wants me to teach her how to make one now lol

in the middle of doing this, my skein of yarn that i used for the base got so tangled up it took me a week to make it but it was worth it! :3

and i just finished! i didnt have the same yarn you had "i love this yarn" so i went with a generic acrylic yarn for both the base and fluffs the fluffs dont look as nice and soft as yours but it still looks good =]

Also, your tutorial was SO helpful. One of the best put together tutorials I've ever seen! Good sound, video quality, and your instructions were easy to follow and were done at a reasonable pace :D

I had asked about a month ago how to make a horse tail..thank you for the advice and the video..i have been experimenting my self and will be sending a video,i have found a way to make a horse tail out of yarn!

Though this is an older video, I would like to point something out. Though this method of tail creating is less expensive and it doesn't require as many supplies, it takes a long while and does include much work and precise effort. If you own a sewing machine/necessary supplies, then making a machine sewn tail will be much more efficient. It won't take half as long time wise and is much more durable. Yarn tails tend to be more rag-doll style and are less firm, although they are extremely soft and floaty. Machine sewn tails are more durable, will last much longer if made well, and overall just look better usually, though I'm not saying your yarn tail doesn't look amazing! Thanks for the tutorial, nonetheless and your tail still looks absolutely fabulous!

Yay, I am so glad your tail came out well :D, congratz

I use red heart brand. The tail is beautiful so far for me

"You'll need about a miilion fluffs." I wish you were joking haha. Netflix marathons help keep me entertained while I work on the fluffs at least. Remember to take a break and stretch people.

I have so much free time so I can't wait to start on this!

This video is so calming!

you do not need to count the fluffs. You need 5 skeins of yarn to make a tail the same length as mine. Make fluffs out of the skeins until you run out. Yes you do need a dog brush or some other wire brush. Thank you, so glad you like the tut ^_^