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I hope you have a great time creating a Squirrel finger puppet with this free pattern! Squirrel finger puppet is a third woodland finger puppet pattern that I share. You already might have mole finger puppet and bear finger puppet. This Squirrel felt craft project can be used during homeschooling, in class, at home. Finger puppets are a fantastic way to engage in learning by storytelling, acting, practicing grammar. For more ideas on using finger puppets, visit Six ideas for using finger puppets in class. 

General instructions

This squirrel felt finger puppet is easy to make. It is stitched entirely by hand, using basic embroidery stitches such as running stitch, backstitch, French knot, whip stitch. Visit my website for the guide on hand embroidery stitches.

Instructions follow to make the DIY: felt finger puppet squirrel. The finished puppet is approximately 2.8 ” (7 cm) tall. The puppet is made from scraps of felt.

Finger puppets are not recommended for children under the age of 3.

This pattern includes the free template to make the puppet, a material and supply list, complete instructions, and supporting photos.

Three-strand embroidery floss and one-strand embroidery floss are used to embroider the squirrel puppet. Knot thread ends on the wrong side of felt.

TIP: Felt pieces can be pinned to the body shape to hold them in place until they are stitched.

Another option is to place a tiny dab of instant dry fabric glue on the reverse side of felt shapes and position them on the puppet’s body.

TIP: If you like to learn some tips on how to cut out felt pieces, you can read my post about 6 techniques for cutting felt shapes.

TIP: You are welcome to read how to trace on felt post if you want to learn more about transferring the pattern on felt for embroidery.

Materials & Supplies

Materials and Supplies needed:

• squirrel finger puppet template

• felt scraps: orange, white

• embroidery floss: black, orange, white

• hand-sewing needles

• small or embroidery scissors (KAI 5 1/2 inch embroidery scissors are my favourites)

• pins (optional - these are my favorites) or Clover wonder clips (optional)

• Elmer’s craft bond glue (optional)

• tracing paper (optional - Check out my tutorial to learn more on tracing a pattern using a tracing paper)

• freezer paper sheet (optional, you can directly print on this one - Check out my tutorial to learn how to use freezer paper for cutting precise shapes from felt)

How to Make a Squirrel Finger Puppet

1. Use the template provided in Materials & Supplies to cut out all of the pieces from felt. See photo below.

2. Pin or glue white chest to the front of body shape, following squirrel finger puppet diagram. Cut a length of embroidery floss and separate one-strand. Sew running stitch close to the edges on the chest to attach it.

3. Transfer the mouth and muzzle to the puppet. There are a few ways to do that (check my previous post on how to trace on felt). I chose the tracing technique for this puppet.

I drew the template on tracing paper with a marker. I attached the tracing paper with pins, and then I embroider the muzzle and the mouth over the paper.

For the muzzle, use three-strand black floss and sew a french knot, where the circle is on the template. Using the same black floss, continue to embroider the mouth with the backstitch on the pattern line. Lastly, sew the teeth with individual stitches.

Tear off the tracing paper at this point if you use the tracing technique.

4. Pin or glue (with a tiny dab) two white circles for eyes to the front of body shape, following the template. With one-strand white floss, sew whip stitch around the edges of the eyes to attach it. I do 8 whip stitches.

5. Using the french knot, sew the eyes in position with three-strands of black embroidery thread. I wrapped the thread 3 times around my needle so that the knot is more significant.

6. Place the squirrel finger puppet’s front and back together and begin joining the pieces with a running stitch close to the edge.

7. Your DIY: squirrel finger puppet made with Fun Cloth Crafts free pattern is ready for its happy owner.

Your ‘Squirrel finger puppet’ is finished :) I’m sure yours turned out adorable!

Be sure to visit more on this website for free embroidery and sewing tutorials to help you out as you stitch my patterns.

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I would love to see your finished projects. So if you like to share it, please send me your pictures. I welcome any feedback as it is important to make my products better. Don't hesitate to contact me with your suggestions at anna@funclothcrafts.com.

Let’s craft together!

XO, Anna

Copyright 2021 by Fun Cloth Crafts

Pattern may be copied for noncommercial use only. You can use it to make as many Squirrel finger puppets as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don’t make any for sale.