Book publisher unable to keep up with demand for guide to creating adorable woollen animal heads

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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。 http://ift.tt/1S7wKnm #森の動物たちのぽんぽんブローチ #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/yfR181iZyD
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シュゲールドットコム (@shugaleCOM) 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。 shugale.com/0534951/ #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/Xw0JYsixrZ
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シュゲールドットコム (@shugaleCOM) 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.

うさぎぽんぽん出来た🐰 まだまだ本と同じようにはいかないけど、今まで一番良い出来(♡>艸<) #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/ANewcKfuwP
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猫まんまみあ (@neco_mammamia) February 22, 2016

▼ 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 https://t.co/THjE7IjuOZ
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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。（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 https://t.co/bGHDIb6xkP
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伊の屋 (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016

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 https://t.co/TPzMZV2gWk
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伊の屋 (@inoya_zacca) February 15, 2016

▼ A couple of fat-bellied sparrows look beautiful as they attempt to keep warm together.

すずめの仲間できたー！！新入りさんなので話し掛けにきましたよー(ﾉ∀｀*) #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/1zUPz3dCBF
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めぐみん (@megreen08) February 20, 2016

▼ Even a close-up shot does nothing to detract from the bird’s realistic features.

すずめの出来上がり♡ かわいぃーo(*>▽<*)o #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/Dge2zLYDZr
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めぐみん (@megreen08) February 18, 2016

▼ 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(*'▽'*)♪ 何か違う気もするけど（笑）可愛い〜😍 #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/AEhnHrrMND
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cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 14, 2016

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 https://t.co/64LRr7ifgV
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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 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💖 https://t.co/FlIrbAW5Am
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蓮 (@reinosuke) February 13, 2016

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。どの子になるのかな？ #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/T6VokUCQbW
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クラフトタウン (@craft_town) February 16, 2016

While a sharp needle and different coloured yarns slowly bring life to all sorts of cute animals!

お隣は刺しまくり☆ 鼻製造中。 #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/EyQaRHhsCd
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クラフトタウン (@craft_town) February 16, 2016

鼻がない…(ﾟДﾟ≡ﾟДﾟ)? #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/qaO2hpd3nd
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猫まんまみあ (@neco_mammamia) February 16, 2016

動物ぽんぽん、表紙Ver.② 文鳥♡ #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/twvsyczSZP
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cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 19, 2016

動物ぱんぱんじゃないよ。 #動物ぽんぽん #ものことひと市いよいよ今週末開催です！ monokotohito.jp https://t.co/7NwNH0rUaX
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Tsubasa Kuroda (@tritri222) February 15, 2016

▼ There’s even a Shiba Inu puppy! Awww…

１個でも、ぽんぽん。♩ ♩ #動物ぽんぽん #動物ぽんぽんのヒミツ https://t.co/1YRjCCidtR
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Tsubasa Kuroda (@tritri222) February 04, 2016

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）増殖の為の箱を準備(*'▽'*)♪ #動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/XUw2xwPwOW
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cocoaෆ⃛ (@rinrin123go) February 15, 2016

増殖中。#動物ぽんぽん https://t.co/AA83KLi1Cg
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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 https://t.co/c7SZCFPTu1
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Tsubasa Kuroda (@tritri222) January 08, 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 https://t.co/4NdmOF6NbW
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Tsubasa Kuroda (@tritri222) November 26, 2015

Source: ITmedia
Top Image: Twitter/@megreen08, Twitter/@tritri222, Twitter/@tritri222