Well, I thought Thor the cat was mostly interested in wool, but I found this former ball of linen yarn out of its bag and in another room from where I left it.
Photo description: loose tangle of orange colored hand spun linen yarn on the concrete floor in front of a closed door
Here is the culprit, looking pleased with himself on Griffin the dog’s bed.
Photo description: large gray tabby cat in a larger brown faux fur pet bed
I don’t believe he ingested any yarn, and I was able to wind the tangle back into a neat ball without any knots. The yarn ball is back in the project bag, and hung up where the cat can’t stick his head into it. Yeah, I love yarn and I love cats and cats love yarn. It is a timeless love triangle.
Photo description: Thor the cat with three articles of doll clothes in front of him, all made from wool
Thor the cat really likes wool. Awhile back we moved the gate keeping dogs out of the cat area and inadvertently removed the gap on the side that Thor used as a pass through. The gate was no problem for our two leaping female cats, but Thor is not a leaper. He can jump up, but for some reason doesn’t get that he can jump over. So he was blocked from the upstairs and our youngest’s room, which is full of wooly goodness. My eldest fixed his access by putting a stool on one side and a box on the other, giving him treats to entice him over. He learned, using supports, to get over and regained access to the treasure trove of doll clothes. He goes up, selects a wool item (always wool, never acrylic) and brings it downstairs. In the picture, the brown doll jacket in the middle was his latest prize, I threw the green doll shawl and pink doll sweater that he had previously brought down next to him for the picture. I could probably use him as a wool finder for fabric with unknown animal hair content.
P.S. he looks like a chonk, but the vet says Thor the cat’s weight is in the normal range.
Photo description: Mr Tom the cat laying on the outside of the chicken runs, and two Faverolle hens investigating
When it is hot, Mr Tom, my neighbor’s cat, likes to lay in wet patches of grass. I had just watered the crossvine outside the corner of the coop, and he took it as an invitation. Two hens went over to say hi and remind him to watch his manners. He was unconcerned.
I’m retiring a set of sheets and gave them a good wash and dry, then Izzy the cat discovered them in the laundry basket.
Photo description: white foldable laundry basket, gray sheets, and a happy calico cat snuggled on the top
Izzy was so happy and spent all her nap time for days in the basket. But the basket was in the middle of the floor and in the way, and eventually I had to give in to practicality and put the basket away. As a peace offering, I took a portion of the sheet and put it in a smaller basket.
Photo description: Izzy in a woven basket looking at the camera
The offering was reluctantly accepted, but not fully embraced. She will occasionally use it, but not to the extent she did the clandestine basket.
Cat hammocks in a catio have different requirements than an indoor cat hammock. They should be UV resistant, especially if the catio has an open roof. They should also let water pass through, which outdoor fabric doesn’t do. They should be comfy… OK, that one goes for inside beds too. I have cycled through an indoor/outdoor sewn fabric hammock with grommets for a rain drain, and a cotton pillow case, which really absorbs rain water and flies off in the slightest breeze. The newest attempt shows promise: a crocheted polyester mat.
Photo description: crocheted gray polyester mat done with a single crochet center and chain one single crochet edges. Photo bomb by Missy the dog who is obsessed with balls.Photo description: crocheted mat installed with screws to two wooden supports. Thor the cat earing me in the background.Photo description: 15 pound cat standing on the installed cat hammock. His idea.
I used polyester craft cord, which is a knitted or braided cord used for macrame or crocheting bags. Polyester is more UV resistent, and the crochet work should allow water to pass through. I recommended swatching, then using the gauge obtained to calculate the stitches and rows needed to fit the space. I found that single crochet worked best for sturdiness and not catching toe-beans. The center is worked in rows of single crochet, and because I did not swatch (the horror) I added a border to extend the length.
I have ideas for more crocheted outdoor hammocks, but am showing unusual restraint, waiting to see if this one gets actually used first. I’ll keep you posted.
Critters and Craft 