Felted Cat Toy - Easy, Free, No Knitting Required

Did you just get a couple of cute, adorable kittens and forget to buy them some cat toys?  Fret no more.  Gather together some scrap yarn and make your own cat toys in no time at all.  What I like about this toy is that it is easy to make and requires no knitting.  Plus, these steps and measurements are more of a guide.  Change as needed.  Note: This toy works for kittens and cats of all ages.

Materials needed:
- Scrap yarn that is 100% wool that will felt well.  Worsted or bulky weight
- A piece of cardboard or other item approximately 8" wide to wrap the yarn around.  I used a cereal box but a DVD case, book or other item would also work.

Step 1: Materials

Materials needed:
- Scrap yarn that is 100% wool that will felt well.  Worsted or bulky weight.
- A piece of cardboard or other item approximately 8" wide to wrap the yarn around.  I used a cereal box but a DVD case, book or other item would also work.

Step 2: The Tail

Cut 12 pieces of yarn 36 inches long.  Set aside. This will be the tail.  Note: You can change the length of these pieces for a longer or shorter tail or depending on how much yarn you have.  You can also add more pieces of yarn if you want to have a thicker tail. 

Step 3: The Body

To begin creating the body of the toy take another piece of the yarn and the piece of cardboard.  Wrap the yarn around the cardboard 60 times.  The number of wraps can be changed for a bigger or smaller body, or depending on how much yarn you have.  You can also use piece of cardboard longer than 8 inches if you would like to have a longer body.  I would not recommend going shorter.

Step 4: The Body

Slide the yarn off of the cardboard being careful to keep the wraps straight and in order.

Step 5: Attaching the Tail

Take the tail pieces and fold them in half.  Place these around the middle of the body as pictured.

Step 6: Secure the Tail to the Body

Take another piece of scrap yarn about 4 feet long.  Place the middle of this piece of yarn around the tail and as close to the body as possible.  Tie a knot and, again,slide this piece of yarn as close to the body as possible.

Step 7: Secure the Tie Wrap

Wrap one end of this tie clockwise around the tail and wrap the other end counter clockwise around the tail to secure the tail to the body.  Tie another knot.  Trim the ends to be the length of the body.

Step 8: Braid the Tail

Divide the tail yarns into 3 groups and braid.  

To braid:
1 - take the group on the right and pass over the middle group pulling this middle group to the right
2 - take the group on the left and pass over the middle group pulling this middle group to the left
Repeat these 2 steps until there is about 3 inches of the tail left.

Step 9: Tie the End of the Tail

Tie the end of the tail by looping the ends up and over the tail and through the loop.  Pull the ends tight.  I found it helps to pull each yarn tight.

Step 10: Cut the Body

Cut the body pieces as shown.

Step 11: Felt the Toy

To felt the toy wash in the washing machine in hot water with a pair or two of jeans.  Repeat the wash cycle if you want it felted more.  Dangle in front of your cat or kitten and enjoy!!