How to Make Cute Felt Animals (DIY for beginners)

20+ Cute Felt Animal Patterns: Your Ultimate Roundup for Adorable Felt Friends

If you love crafting or want to try something new, making felt animals is a great idea for a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Felt animals are soft, sweet, and can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like — plus, they make great baby shower gifts or kids’ birthday gifts! I love adding a small, handmade felt animal to a gift for a personal touch. 

In this post, I’ve rounded up over 20 adorable felt animal patterns you can try, plus essential tips for working with felt, using a felting needle, and adding little extras like pipe cleaners for poseable parts. So grab your felt sheets, scissors, and a comfy work surface, and let’s dive in!

Why Make Felt Animals?

There’s something so satisfying about transforming basic shapes into cute little creatures you can gift, display, or even turn into ornaments and toys. Working with felt is forgiving and affordable — you don’t need fancy tools, and it’s easy to learn. They’re also a fun style of craft for younger crafters to attempt!

If you’re new to felt crafts, this post is like a beginner’s guide: you’ll find a mix of free and paid patterns, clear instructions, and lots of cute pictures that will give you some inspiration. Whether you’re stitching your first felt bunny or trying a more complex woodland animal, these projects help you practice cutting felt pieces, layering felt layers, and adding charming details.

Essential Tips Before You Start

Before you pick your favorite pattern, here are a few essential tips to set you up for success:

✅ Choose the right felt: Wool or wool-blend felt is sturdier and easier to sew than cheap acrylic felt. THIS PACK is amazing. 💗 In a cheaper type of felt, these soft colors are so beautiful!

✅ Use sharp scissors: Good scissors make cutting precise simple shapes and small details much easier. Definitely worth making this small purchase to have sharp ones!

✅ Prepare your work surface: Work on a clean, flat surface with good lighting. If you’re needle felting, use a foam pad to protect your table and your felting needle.

✅ Start with basic shapes: If you’re a nervous beginner, pick patterns with larger pieces and simple body shapes.

✅ Use pipe cleaners for structure: Some felt animals, like foxes or birds, can have bendable tails or legs when you insert pipe cleaners inside. These 6-inch cream ones would be perfect.

✅ Go step by step: Many patterns come with detailed tutorials and photos — follow each step carefully, and don’t rush.

Free Felt Animal Patterns to Try

One of the best parts of this hobby is that so many designers offer a free pattern or two to get you started. 

Several of the patterns in our roundup below are FREE patterns! Take a look! 👀

What You’ll Need

Most felt animal projects don’t require a big shopping trip. Here’s a quick checklist:

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks! / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

✔️ Felt sheets in different colors
✔️ Embroidery thread or strong sewing thread
✔️ An embroidery needle for adding details
✔️ Stuffing (polyfill or cotton)
✔️ Scissors and needles
✔️ Pipe cleaners (optional, for poseable parts)
✔️ Pins or clips to hold pieces in place

Patterns for Every Skill Level

Your skill level determines which project will feel fun instead of frustrating. If you’re just starting out, stick with animals that use basic shapes and fewer pieces. Intermediate crafters can experiment with more layers, embroidery, or 3D effects.

Here are some pattern ideas sorted by skill level:

⭐ Beginner:

• Felt Chick
• Sleeping Cat
• Simple Teddy Bear

⭐⭐ Intermediate:

• Felt Owl with layered wings
• Forest Fawn
• Felt Koala with layers

⭐⭐⭐ Advanced:

• Detailed fox 
• Realistic felt cat
• Felt Stuffed Elephant

How to Make Felt Animals — An Easy Guide

1️⃣ Choose your pattern: Pick a free pattern or one you purchased.

2️⃣ Cut out felt pieces: Use sharp scissors to cut the templates precisely. Pin them to your felt to prevent slipping.

3️⃣ Assemble layers: Many felt animals use felt layers for depth — for example, an owl’s wings or a hedgehog’s spikes.

4️⃣ Sew or glue: Use a blanket stitch or whip stitch to join the pieces. Some small details can be glued for convenience.

5️⃣ Stuff and shape: Lightly stuff the animal so it stays soft but holds its shape. Insert pipe cleaners if you want bendable limbs or tails.

6️⃣ Add details: Use embroidery for faces, spots, or fur lines. If you’re adventurous, a felting needle lets you add extra texture with wool roving.

:: PIN FOR LATER! ::

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Ready for the Next Step?

Once you master a few basic felt animals, you can get creative! Try making tiny felt friends to use as keychains, mobiles, or holiday decorations. Experiment with different sizes, colors, and extra embellishments.

If you’re looking for inspiration, Pinterest and craft blogs are full of detailed tutorials and free printables. Or check Etsy for patterns if you’d like something unique.

Whether you’re a nervous beginner or a seasoned pro, crafting felt animals is always a good idea. It’s relaxing, budget-friendly, and gives you adorable keepsakes you can treasure or gift to someone special.

So pick your favorite pattern, gather your supplies, and enjoy the process. Remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to make you smile. Happy crafting, and have fun!

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Got a favorite felt animal pattern? Share it in the comments — we’d love to see what you’re making!