Cat Beds

First off thanks Diane for enabling me to post here. I just wanted to contribute by showing the two big pillow beds I crocheted for my cats. The blue one (which was fluffed up for the pic) was made with very thick (but soft)varigated yarn. Took 3 or 4 skeins I believe to make.

The second cushion (pink varigated) is made of thinner wool and is much larger in circumference. I had made this one for the bigger (fatter) cat LOL But they each take turns sleeping on each other's cushion. The pink one when turned over is made from scrap yarn that was two colours entwined. I crocheted the two circles together with a hot pink with black thread yarn that I found (at the dollar store I think). Whoops it doesn't show in the pic. LOL

Hard Candy Christmas Earrings

I found this package of beads last year for a couple of dollars at Hobby Lobby. All it took was a few jump rings and French ear wires and voila! Instant boutique-like earrings. These can be whipped up in about 5 minutes. Nice stocking stuffers eh?This is a great time of year to keep your eyes open at the dollar stores too as they sometimes have miniature ornaments that can be used as charms for bracelets and earrings.

How to Make a Cat Bed from an Old Sweater

I haven't tried one of these yet, but I think it's a great idea. Remember you don't HAVE to felt the sweater first, and if you're like me most of my sweaters are all or part acrylic anyway. If you want to see step-by-step photos and a gallery of finished beds click the source link below.

You may want to see the corresponding Wiki How-To site entry for a slightly better tutorial (same general info, but better presentation).

1. After *felting your old wool sweater, lay it out flat. With yarn and a tapestry needle, stitch the seamed edge of the sleeve to the side of the sweater, about half way down the sleeve from where the armpit meets the side seam.(I used contrasting yarn to make the stitches more visible.)
*Note: You don’t have to felt the sweater, but doing so will make the fabric more durable.

2. Fold the bottom edge of the sweater up and place the sleeve in front of it. You want to roll (or fold) the bottom up far enough that both sleeve cuff edges will be able to overlap slightly when place in front of it.

3. Secure the sleeve to the top of the rolled up sweater edge with a whip stitch or a blanket stitch. Remember that you’re going to stuff the sleeves, so be sure to stitch only through the top layer of the sleeve.

4. Repeat with the other sleeve. As the cuffs overlap slightly in front, put one cuff just inside of the other and stitch down the outside cuff edge along the top layer, just enough that you’ll be able to keep the stuffing inside the tube you’ve just created with the sleeves.

5. Now make a running stitch from one “armpit” to the other. Create an arched shape to make a rounder bed. Be sure to go through both layers of sweater fabric. You should now have a “channel” that can be stuffed with batting or old rags (or strips of old sweaters). Stuff until you get a sausage-like ring. If you want to pad the bottom, now is the time to do that as well.

6. Finally, stitch the neck opening closed. Give to your favorite kitty/puppy and consider making another to donate to your local pet shelter. It took more time to post this than to make the bed if that tells you how quick and easy this project is!

SOURCE: http://knuts4knits.wordpress.com/2007/02/10/how-to-make-the-quick-and-cheap-cat-bed/

Very Important Crochet Tools

More Pet Snuggles

The cats really love these snuggles. Very simple, just one big granny square. The one on the left came out a little "off" but they don't seem to mind LOL! Protects the furniture somewhat from all the hair - I just throw them in the washer when needed and they're easy to toss aside when someone wants to sit and not get covered in hair. It's a great way to use up scrap wool and many shelters accept them for the cages. I would recommend a different pattern for shelters though, maybe just a straight single or double crochet using 2 or even 3 strands of yarn held together for speed and comfort. Average sizes are 12" x 12"and 24" x 24". Of course if you have real wool stockpiled you could make felted snuggles, or even a catbed. I've never tried felting since most of my yarn is acrylic and washable.

Jane you will recognize the peach colored yarn you included in one of your packages was used for edging. The purple was left over from another project and the varigated is what was left over from the other snuggle.

Spots approves! :)

For more info and patterns:
http://www.snugglesproject.org/faqs/faqs/

No-Crochet Fuzzy Flip Flops

These are incredibly easy to make! Just wrap the yarn beginning at the end toward the heel to the center, then repeat on the other side. You can do it in the other direction but this way makes for a fluffier look. A bead or button can be hot glued to the center for added decoration. This stuff was pretty thick I'm looking forward to doing some with the thinner eyelash yarn.

There are more crochet versions of these, they can be found on http://www.lionbrand.com/

Tips and Tricks #1