Homemade Holiday Gifts: Cat Toys

Don't forget to make some gifts for your feline friends!I love to give catnip filled toys to my friends who have cats, it's a fun way to include their whole family.

Crocheted Catnip Octopus

supplies:

- Any color of yarn you want
-Small length of contrasting thread for the eyes
-Small crochet hook, I used size "F"
-Catnip
-Something to put the cat nip in, I used the toe of an old pair of pantyhose (clean!!)
-A darning needle

Using your hook and your main yarn color chain 4 and slip stitch the chain into a loop.  Single crochet (sc) 8 into the loop and slip stitch the first sc into the last. Chain 1 and sc one into each single crochet around, slip stitch together.  For the next 2 rows, sc 2 into each single crochet, slip stitching at the end of each round.

Next, sc into every other stitch, slip stitching at the end of each round.  Continue this pattern until you only have about an inch wide opening at the bottom.  At this time, take a scoop of catnip (about the size of a ping pong ball) and put it into your pantyhose (or whatever you are using) and tie up the end.  Stuff the catnip filled sack into the body of the crochet.  Continue crocheting around single crocheting in every other stitch until the hole is completely closed up.

Once it's closed, it's time to make the legs.  Chain 10.  Skip the first chain from the hook and single crochet into the next 3 chains.  Double crochet into the next 3 chains and triple crochet into the 3 after that.  Slip stitch the leg to the body of the octopus.  Repeat this 8 times.  It will get a little crowded, but they will all fit!

Next, take your length of yarn in the the contrasting color. Using your needle sew two eyes in the top of the octopus.  These don't need to be perfect, it's cuter if they're a little quirky!




Such a cute little guy!

 Don't worry if you make mistakes with this project, chances are, the kitty won't notice!





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