Crochet Warming Cat Toy

Does your cat love to snuggle up in a warm, cosy spot? Do they go wild for catnip?

If the answer is 'Yes', then this DIY warming cat toy is the purr-fect project for you! 🐾

This adorable woollen mouse isn’t just "another toy" abandoned on the floor after 5 minutes of use; it doubles as a soothing, microwavable heat pack; designed to keep your feline friend warm and content.

Filled with rice and a sprinkle of catnip, this little critter works like a mini heat pad, staying warm for up to an hour after a 20 second zap in the microwave! The gentle heat provides comfort on chilly evenings, while the catnip promotes relaxation and helps relieve stress and anxiety- ideal for cats who love to cuddle! Whether your kitty is a playful pouncer or a professional napper, this handmade warming toy is sure to become their new favourite companion.

Let’s get crafting!

Outside:

1. 4-5g of any colour DK yarn*
2. 4mm crochet hook
3. Different colour yarn for eyes and whiskers*
4. Tapestry needle

Inside:

1. Needle
2. Thread
3. 5.5 x 8cm plain cotton fabric
4. Tablespoon of uncooked rice
5. Teaspoon of dried catnip

*This is a great project for using up scraps of wool from other projects!

Each bullet point represents a new row of stitches. Each new stitch is linked to a YouTube video, should you struggle.

1. Start with a slip knot

1. 32 chain + 1 to compensate for height of next row (compensation) Total in row = 32

1. 32 single crochet + 2 compensation Total in row = 32

2 rows of double crochet adds pattern and texture while creating decreases to form the mouse's round shape.

1. 2 triple stitch double crochet decreases, 20 double crochet, 2 triple stitch double crochet decreases + 2 compensation Total in row = 24

1. 1 triple stitch double crochet decrease, 1 double crochet decrease, 14 double crochet, 1 double crochet decrease, 1 triple stitch double crochet decrease + 1 compensation Total in row = 18

Back to single crochet, we finish up.

1. 18 single crochet + 1 compensation Total in row = 18

1. (1 single crochet decrease, 1 single crochet) x6 Total in row = 12

1. Cut the yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook to finish off.

1. Chose a stitch on one side of the mouse's head, and do 5 double crochet stiches on your selected stitch, then 1 chain stitch to connect this back to the original stitch. Repeat this on the other side to make another ear.

1. Fold the mouse in half and sew around the edge, leaving the bottom side unsewn to leave room to insert the rice bag.

To make whiskers, I pulled a 5cm length of yarn through a stitch on the mouse's cheek area to create a loop, and pulled the ends of this length of yarn through this loop to create a tight knot. I then repeated this for the other side.

1. Stitch on eyes and whiskers in a different colour yarn to the main body.

I love the curly tail effect, achieved with a very loose row of stitches followed by a much tighter one!

1. Start off the tail with a slip knot.

1. 20 very loose chain + 1 compensation Total in row = 20

1. 20 very tight single crochet Total in row = 20

1. Sew this onto the rear of the mouse.

1. Fold the cotton in half and stitch up one end and the seem along the middle. I did a fairly rough job here because this part will never be seen once completed; however it must be strong and tight enough to prevent catnip or rice grains escaping.

1. Fill the bag with layers of rice and catnip, and shake to ensure they are well mixed.

1. Sew up the open end tightly.

1. Insert the filled bag into the mouse body and stitch it up tightly.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Instructable- I hope you found it interesting and inspiring. If you did, please check out the rest of my Instructables here: https://www.instructables.com/member/MistyPearl/