
With cute little faces like these, it’s easy to see why.
Since late last year, cute little animal heads have been popping up on Twitter, as crafty individuals in Japan began trying out a new “Animal Pom Pom” kit, which comes in a choice of three designs: rabbit, barn owl, and chipmunk.
「森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチキット」も大好評♪シマリス・うさぎ・メンフクロウの3種!それぞれブローチが2つ作れます。https://t.co/P4jIw1x2jh #森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチ #動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/yfR181iZyD
— 手芸通販@シュゲールヤフー店 (@shugaleYahoo) February 19, 2016
Since then, the little critters have grown in popularity, and a how-to book filled with a variety of different animal designs was released on February 10 this year.
minneハンドメイド大賞受賞作家 trikotoriさんの著書「動物ぽんぽん」が新入荷♪ふかふかの手触りがいつでもおもいきり楽しめる、そんな動物マスコットが大集合です。https://t.co/5MoZHcewAT #動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/Xw0JYsixrZ
— 手芸通販@シュゲールヤフー店 (@shugaleYahoo) February 19, 2016
The book immediately became a bestseller on Amazon, selling out within days. Now, pre-orders for a new batch of March deliveries have also sold out, making this one of the most sought-after books in the country.
Let’s take a look at some of the gorgeous woollen creatures who’ve stolen everybody’s hearts with their furry, life-like features.
https://twitter.com/neco_mammamia/status/701649575879151617▼ Teddy bears are adorable, even without their bodies!
trikotriさんの「動物ぽんぽん」が届いたので早速くまさん作ってみた!耳の色が違うのはご愛嬌😄🐻 #動物ぽんぽん #ハンドメイド pic.twitter.com/THjE7IjuOZ
— Ume (@Umeta_09) February 15, 2016
▼ As are polar bears, who look so cute we’re tempted to gobble them up.
どれもこれも可愛くて何を作ろうかと悩む(*ˊૢᵕˋૢ*) とりあえず毛糸とハサミ買ってこよう。
— 伊の屋🦔どうぶつまめぐち (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016
(しろくまは手持ちの毛糸と糸切り鋏で頑張った)#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/bGHDIb6xkP
しろくまぽんぽん出来た!思い切りよくハサミが入れられず、顔の凹凸が少ないから子熊っぽい。でも可愛い♪#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/TPzMZV2gWk
— 伊の屋🦔どうぶつまめぐち (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016
▼ A couple of fat-bellied sparrows look beautiful as they attempt to keep warm together.
https://twitter.com/megreen08/status/700860824240287744▼ Even a close-up shot does nothing to detract from the bird’s realistic features.
https://twitter.com/megreen08/status/700275508571873280▼ By changing the colour of the wool, a whole variety of beautiful birds can be created.
セキセイインコ出来た(*'▽'*)♪
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 14, 2016
何か違う気もするけど(笑)
可愛い〜😍#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/AEhnHrrMND
Stepping away from its lifelike friends, however, is this duck, who looks more like a cartoon character!
エリザベスも作ったwww#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/64LRr7ifgV
— ツピィ (@whitegiantpanda) February 21, 2016
To create the cute animals, a few things are needed in addition to the book and a pair of crafty hands.
#動物ぽんぽん
— 蓮 (@reinosuke) February 13, 2016
TOKAIにありましたぜ。
やわらか〜なまんまる〜い罠ですね、これは。
罠にはまって材料もGET💖 pic.twitter.com/FlIrbAW5Am
One of the most important is the plastic “pom pom maker”, which comes in different sizes.
今日の昼活はここまで。
— クラフトハートトーカイ (@crafthearttokai) February 16, 2016
どの子になるのかな?#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/T6VokUCQbW
While a sharp needle and different coloured yarns slowly bring life to all sorts of cute animals!
https://twitter.com/neco_mammamia/status/699540383529709568お隣は刺しまくり☆
— クラフトハートトーカイ (@crafthearttokai) February 16, 2016
鼻製造中。#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/EyQaRHhsCd
動物ぽんぽん、表紙Ver.②
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 19, 2016
文鳥♡#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/twvsyczSZP
動物ぱんぱん じゃないよ。#動物ぽんぽん #ものことひと市
— trikotri (@trikotri222) February 15, 2016
いよいよ今週末開催です!https://t.co/8fFQhp9lyp pic.twitter.com/7NwNH0rUaX
▼ There’s even a Shiba Inu puppy! Awww…
1個でも、ぽんぽん。♩
— trikotri (@trikotri222) February 4, 2016
♩#動物ぽんぽん#動物ぽんぽんのヒミツ pic.twitter.com/1YRjCCidtR
It’s clear to see why people in Japan can’t get enough of these animal pom poms, especially when they’re all gathered together, gazing up at us with their soulful eyes!
みんな見てる(笑)
— cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 15, 2016
増殖の為の箱を準備(*'▽'*)♪#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/XUw2xwPwOW
増殖中。#動物ぽんぽん pic.twitter.com/AA83KLi1Cg
— shoko (@shochan165) February 21, 2016
To see just how expressive these little characters can be, take a look at the short clip below!
ぽんぽんだってメンチ切ります。#動物ぽんぽん #オラオラ系 pic.twitter.com/c7SZCFPTu1
— trikotri (@trikotri222) January 8, 2016
While we’ll have to wait to see if the books become available on Amazon in March, kits to make the rabbit, barn owl and chipmunk can currently be ordered online for 952 yen (US$8.42) each, plus postage, for domestic delivery within Japan.
キットをお求めくださり、早速作ってくださった動物たちの写真が!!嬉しい〜^ ^ みなさまの作った動物ぽんぽんたちを拝見できたら嬉しいです! #森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチ pic.twitter.com/4NdmOF6NbW
— trikotri (@trikotri222) November 26, 2015
Source: ITmedia
Top Image: Twitter/@megreen08, Twitter/@tritri222, Twitter/@tritri222

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