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Becoming a Kitsune: Ears

Right...back to some of my typical posts.  

The second common identifier for a kitsune is fox ears. While the tails may steal the show, you may opt to go with a tail-less version but still include the ears. (I think that'd be an interesting design personally.) 

The main thing to consider with ears is how to attach them to your head. The thing to determine the best attachment method is the weight and size of the ears. Your material will determine the weight of the ear. 

There are many materials and methods to make ears. Here are a few that I have found/used: 

  • Faux Fur
  • Minky
  • Faux Fur Yarn
  • Wool Yarn
  • Mohair Yarn
  • Acrylic Yarn
  • Felt
  • Velvet
  • Leather
  • Suede
  • Plastic
  • Colored paper

Attaching Ears

Ideally, we want the ears to appear on our heads seamlessly. The most common method I've seen is to use a plastic or metal head band. These come in many colors, widths and styles to match your costume's hair color and provide a solid base to support ears of various sizes. 

Other Bases include: 
  • Elastic Bands
  • Cloth Headbands
  • Bobby Pins
  • Alligator Hairclips/Barrettes
  • Wigs
  • Hats
The ears are generally attached to the base with: 
  • Sewing
  • Hot Glue
  • Earth Magnets
  • Wire

Ear Design

But what should the ears look like? You do have examples in nature of various fox species. You also can glean from popular media or your favorite artists. 

An exaggerated fox ear
 
Somewhat of a "standard" fox ear.


Your ear does not necessarily need to resemble furry fox ears. If your character calls for it you can make the ears look crystal, robotic, wooden, or glowing. (Have fun with EL wire!) 

But probably, most likely, your character will have fur-based ears. So...here are a few suggestions on how to accomplish that look!

Fur Ear Methods

Fabric 

For faux fur or fabric ears, the ear shape is patterned out on paper, cut out from the fabric and ready to assemble. 

The idea is to make a triangular pocket. You can sew along the edges to make that pocket, insert EVA foam, a stiff felt, thin plastic, or cardstock for some extra backing. Often jewelry wire is glued along the edges of the insert to provide a method of posing the ears or attaching them to a headband or wig. 

Here's a video for that method: 

Another common method is to hot glue the fabric together, then insert wire. Often you will have to shave down faux fur. 

Here is a video demonstrating this method: 
Check out these tutorial books for more methods for crafting animal ears and attaching them. 

Knitting or Crochet

It's no secret I'm becoming a big fan of knitting and crochet in costumes. And I'm seeing more creative results with it. Although, the downside is that it takes a long time. 

Here are a few links to free Ear patterns:
I suggest trying faux fur yarn or a velvet finish yarn. Or if you use an animal fiber yarn, you can use "felting" on the finished product to give it a fuzzy instead of knitted look. 
Works best with wool or alpaca yarns. 

Mohair yarn also has a fuzzy effect for a knitted or crochet project.  

Pre-Made Ears

Luckily, Fox Ears are a very commonly created product for costumes. Most of them are placed on headbands of some sort. I've seen them at Party Supply stores, Costume shops...and even on Amazon. (Actually where I got some ears.) 

Etsy is also a very popular place to sell pre-made or made-to-order faux fur animal ears. 

Animatronic Ears

Honestly, the only thing to know about animatronic ears is that the covers are usually fabric pockets. The stores below have moving ear products. 

3D-Printed Ears

I have run across a few STL files for fox ears in my rummaging in Thingiverse: 
Once printed you have a choice of covering it in faux fur or other fabric. You might also try flocking to give it a very fuzzy texture.  Or heck, perfectly fine to paint them too. This is a great solution if you are making non-natural fox ears. (Like making a robotic ear or an ear made of wood or ice.) 

Alternative Ears

Again, if you're thinking of making a non-furry ear, besides 3D printing, you can consider: 
  • Sculpting the Ear 
  • Rhinestone Ears
  • LED or EL Wire Ears
  • Worbla/Thermoplastics
  • Paper Mache Ears
  • Pepakura or Paper Craft Ear 

And those are my thoughts on making your fox ears for a kitsune. The focus was MOSTLY on making the ears look like they are coming out of your head directly. But do not dismiss the idea of having ears on a hood, hat, or be a part of the mask. 

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