We are finally cooling down here in Texas. We actually had a freeze warning in October, which seemed unusual. I did a few additional things this year in addition to shutting down sprinklers and disconnecting hoses. Basil turns black if the temperatures drop below 40 degrees. In past years I’ve tented the raised bed with plastic, with minimum success. This year I actually gathered my remaining basil and brought it inside to dry.
Photo description: A bundle of fresh basil hung on a utility rack to dry.
I also cleaned out the cat bench and put in new straw. I don’t think any of the neighborhood cats use it, but just in case, it has fresh bedding and a handful of dried lavender to deter bugs. I made this bench with the insulated compartment several years ago.
Photo description: Open hope chest style bench made from 2x4s with two compartments, one lined with styrofoam and additional wood for insulation. Both sections are lined with straw.
Although it would be nice to crochet a custom lining for each round basket I find, sometimes I just fold an old towel in half and toss it over. This works great for Izzy, but for seven-month-old Thor, it is too tempting.
Photo description: Gray tabby behind an upturned round basket with a towel spilled out.
To keep the towel in place and not subject to kitten wiles, I sewed together the ends of a piece of wide elastic to make a stretchy band that goes around the towel and basket.
Photo description: Same basket, same towel, but with a two inch elastic strap around the circumference, holding the towel in the basket.
The securing of the towel meets with both cat’s approval.
Photo description: Gray tabby cat filling up the towel lined basket, looking at the cameraPhoto description: Calico cat sitting in the same basket, later.
In my opinion the basket is a little small, but the cats like it cozy. Yes, they are about the same size now, and Thor is still growing.
Ok, not a baby cradle, but the cat is definitely interested in what is going on when my spindle is in the makeshift cradle formed by an upside down side table. I put my spindle there because it makes it easier to wind the yarn onto my niddy noddy. As I unwind the yarn, the spindle skips and jumps and makes interesting scritchy noises against the metal.
Photo description: Wooden drop spindle set into the curved legs of an upside down metal side table. Gray tabby sniffing the end of the spindle with one claw caught in the yarn.
Despite the extra “assistance,” I did manage to get all the yarn onto my niddy noddy. This is the multi-fiber blend from Anniewhere. I’ve wet down the fibers and set them to dry out of the cat’s reach.
Photo description: Several bundles of 2-ply yarn wrapped onto a PVC niddy noddy.
Cats and fiber arts really don’t mix, but it is remarkable how often they do anyway.
Crocheting cat mats is a great stash busting activity. Pairing worsted weight acrylic yarn with a puff stitch results in a cushy mat that seriously dips into the bag of leftovers.
Photo description: Multicolored mat made with crocheted puff stitches in rows of alternating color.
To make the mat use a size G hook with worsted or medium weight yarn in three or more colors.
Chain 43, or multiples of 2 +1 to get the desired size.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet (sc) across.
Row 2: turn, chain (ch) 2, *yarn over, skip first sc and insert hook in the second sc, yarn over, pull up loop to match the height of 2 ch. 3 loops on the hook. In the same sc, yarn over, insert hook, yarn needle over, pull up loop. 5 loops on the hook. Repeat to get 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all seven loops. Ch 1. Repeat from * across.
Row 3: Change color. Leave the other color attached if doing a three row repeat. Ch 2, *yarn over, insert hook in the first ch space, yarn over, pull up loop to match the height of 2 ch. 3 loops on the hook. In the same space, yarn over, insert hook, yarn needle over, pull up loop. 5 loops on the hook. Repeat to get 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all seven loops. Ch 1. Repeat from * across.
Row 4: Repeat Row 3.
Row 5: Pick up the first color, which should be at the starting side. Continue with puff stitch pattern picking up the yarn color that was left off two rows down. If you want to change color every row and not have a three row repeat, or you run out of yarn, weave in the ends, or crochet over the ends as you go.
Continue making rows of puff stitches until you reach the desired length.
To finish the edge, single crochet along the top and sides for two rows. Pull yarn through last loop. Weave in ends.
Put mat where the cat can find it.
Photo description: Calico cat with a pleased expression sitting on a crocheted mat.
The weather is finally cooling somewhat (we’re still going to see some highs in the 90s, but mostly we’re in the 70s and 80s) and in a fit of optimism I setup the dog crates with the winter gear: fleece pad covers and soft fuzzy blankets. Thor the seven-month-old kitten decided this was done for his benefit and has claimed Missy’s crate. Poor Missy. I do kick the cat out whenever I find him in there.
Photo description: Gray Tabby cat laying in a blue dog crate, filling most of the 2×3 foot pad.
I did weigh him this week and he is 12.2 pounds. Big kitten.
Critters and Craft 