I
started out Mod Podging the yarn around the large ball. At that point I
was being very neat and the yarn was cooperating nicely.

Things
went well for a while but the yarn started to fight me and wouldn't
stay nice and neat.  I covered the entire ball in a circular pattern,
and then wrapped yarn around the ball in no set pattern so any gaps in
the yarn were covered, making it look like a big ball of yarn.  Once I
had the large ball covered to my satisfaction, I  wrapped four smaller
balls in black yarn for the feet (after applying a coat of Mod Podge)
and using two more of the small balls for the kitty's cheeks,  I
wrapped them in white yarn. I used the chenille wire for whiskers, the
ears and the tail.  I stuck them into the yarn as best I could; no
doubt there is a better way to do it, but they seem to be secure.  I
attached the cheeks and feet with florist's picks, glued on one little
black puff ball for the nose and also glued on the eyes.

...and a side view...