As a cat owner until February when my 16 years passed away, I
always like making things for him. Now,
I still make things but donate to my local animal shelter; since, per my doctor
I can get a new pet because I have no immune system from the stem cell transplant. Besides, I need to give equal time on the
blog for cats; since, I did two blogs for dogs.
Do not get me wrong I love both kinds of pets.
Crochet
Cat Toy
Materials: Medium weight yarn, Crochet hook
(5.00mm H hook), Toilet paper tube, Bell, Needle and thread, Darning Needle to
weave in ends and Scissors
Directions:
Stitches
used: Ch = chain, sl st =
slip stitch, dc = double crochet (All U.S.)
(Ch) 20, join with (sl st) to form ring (keeping tension firm
but not tight – you want both ends to be a little tighter so they hug around
the toilet paper tube). Make sure to not
to twist your stitches.
(Ch) 2 in first chain
and then (dc) in each remaining stitch in round. (Sl st) in last stitch in
round to join. Repeat for 7 rounds for
1/2 toilet paper roll size toy or 11 rounds for full toilet paper roll.
Finish off last round with 1 (sl st) in each stitch and join.
Ch 30 then make 2 (dc) in the 3rd chain from the hook. (If
you’d like a longer curlicue than make
the chain longer).
Make 3 (dc) in each chain until you get back to the start of
the chain. (Sl st) to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sew bell on end of curlicue.
Fit over toilet paper roll.
Easy To
Make Felted Cat Toy
Materials: Plastic ‘wiffle’ balls (any size,
but the 1″ to 3″ sizes work best); Wool fleece: ¼ oz for small toy, ½ oz for
large toy; Small bells – 1 per ball; Plastic twist ties; White glue; Nylon
stocking (legs only) or knee-hi’s; Wire cutters or similar cutting device; and Washing
Machine
Directions:
Make 2 cuts to the plastic on either side of one hole with the
wire cutters so that it creates an opening to push the bell through.
Gently push the bell in through these cuts in the plastic so
that it is now inside the ball. If the
ball cracks and creates a hole, not to worry, you will be covering it with wool
anyway.
Apply a thin layer of white glue to all outside surfaces of
the ball. You might want to set this on
a piece of plastic or wax paper. Work fast enough so that the glue does not dry
before you apply the wool.
Add the wool to the outside of the ball in a random pattern
making sure to cover it completely and uniformly. (Set some of the wool aside
to add later if you have thin or bald spots after the first felting.) Wrap
pieces of yarn around the wool if you choose.
Clasp the covered ball in your hand and slide it into your
nylon stocking leg or knee-hi. If you don’t protect it from the friction inside
the stocking, the wool and everything else will be pulled off of the ball and
you will have to start over. Plus now
it’s a sticky, gloppy mess – no fun!
Twist the stocking and add the plastic twist tie to close the
opening (just like a bread bag ;-) Using a plastic twist tie is critical
because a paper based tie will disintegrate in the washing machine! Put the
‘stocking ball’ into your laundry and wash with a load of clothes on warm or
hot water with a cold rinse.
When the laundry is done, carefully take your ball out of the
stocking (the stocking can be re-used many, many times before it will fall
apart). Some parts of the wool may slightly felt to a new stocking but this
lessens the more you make.
Check the ball for thin or bald spots. If you find that you
have any, let the ball dry thoroughly and repeat adding more glue and wool to
the affected area. Then put it back into the stocking and launder again with
your next load of laundry. You may want
to felt it a second time anyway to give the felt more durability.
