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Gifts for Pets

pinkit | Posted in Gather For A Chat on

Hi Everyone:  Does anyone out there know of any patterns or ideas for gifts for pets.  In my case that would be mostly cats and dogs.  Every Christmas I also include the family animals in my gift giving.  Right now my cat “Sophie” is crazy about some small pillows made with catnip inside.  All but one of my children have pets.  My oldest daughter has a large mixed breed dog (very nervous animal) named “Lady”.  My youngest daughter has a dog named “Niko” pretty good sized.  My third daughter has a yellow and white male cat named “Comet” and my Son has three cats and one new kitten about the size of the palm of your hand.  Poor thing was found by my Son and his partner who work for our City when they were searching an abandoned lot for junk that people often leave there and the City has to clean it up.  The partner heard a noise and found the kitten in a closed box.  Of course, my son took her home. So you can see I have a pretty big animal Christmas list.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  THANKS!

Replies

  1. Gloriasews | | #1

    I have only made gifts for dogs so far:  fancy collars like people wear (pointed collar with bow tie for the boy, Peter Pan collar with lace edging & ribbon for the girl to wear for their Christmas photo), fleece coats, cushions, bandannas, & dog bones (baked).  The dog bones (especially with garlic, cheese & herbs) are very popular with the dogs. (I have 2 sizes of dog bone cookie cutters - found at a kitchen supply store).  I tried cat treats last Christmas for a cat in our family, but she wasn't interested at all - guess I'll have to make them this year with tuna or sardines.  I found the recipes from a book at the library, so you might look there - you might find 1 or 2 books on animal clothing (coats) there, too.  The animal treat books do make comments on animal allergies or whether some breeds can't eat certain things, which is helpful. These items smell good while they're baking, too.  Good luck in your search!

    Thanks for mentioning the catnip cushions - I'll have to try to make a catnip mouse this year (might just be cheaper to buy one).

    Gloria

  2. SAAM | | #2

    Hi pinkit.

    I've made easy catnip mice for my kitties and they love them.

    To make the mouse:

    1. Cut a piece of fabric shaped like a wedge of pie. The wider the wedge, the fatter the mouse. I use scraps of fabric left over from other projects.

    2. Press under a small (1/4") hem on the curved edge.

    3. Sew the two straight edges of the wedge together, right sides together, to form a cone. Turn right side out.

    4. Fill cone with catnip.

    5. Using a doubled thread, hand-stitch a running stitch around the pressed hem. Pull the thread tight to gather up and close the end of the mouse body.

    6. Braid yarn to make a tail.

    7. Hand-stitch the tail to the gathered end of the mouse body.

    8. Using embroidery floss, stitch two little eye on the pointy end of the mouse body.

    9. Also using embroidery floss, using all six strands, stitch through the very tip of the pointy end of the mouse body leaving an end long enough to tie a square knot. Tie the knot, then trim and separate the threads to form whiskers.

    These mice take no time to make and the cats love playing with them. If you want, you can put a little squeak box inside along with the catnip for added fun.

    Sherry

    1. pinkit | | #3

      Hi SAAM: Thanks for your great catnip mouse directions.  Now I am assumeing that when you say to turn under 1/4 inch at the round end you mean the nose end.  I will have to try all this and see how it works.  With quite a few cats in the family this would be a worthwhile project.  I will try to get back to you when I have time to give it a try.  Again Thanks

      1. SAAM | | #5

        Hi pinkit,The turned under edge is at the curved outer edge of the wedge shape, sort of the base of the triangle, not the pointed tip where the nose will be. You want to turn that edge in so that when you gather it up with the running stitches you don't have raw,fraying edges sticking out. That end forms the fatter body end of the mouse. I hope that's clear.All the best,
        Sherry

        1. pinkit | | #6

          Hi SAAM:  Thanks for the reply.  OK, I think I have it now.

    2. User avater
      VKStitcher | | #4

      My two cats love the catnip pillows that their "gramma" gave them for Christmas last year.  They are about 3" square, stuffed with fiberfill and catnip.  But SAAM's catnip mice would be so much cuter than little squares!  :-)

      A couple of years ago I was making an afghan, and one of my cats stole the center that I had made for one of the squares.  She played with that little yarn circle all the time, batting it and chasing it across the floor, eventually swatting it under the refrigerator.  SCORE!  Then she would lay on the floor, look under the fridge, then look up at me until I got the yardstick and fished it out.  Of course, she would put it right back under there.  What a game!  :-)

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