Archive: Pets
May 3, 2012
Knit Dalek Dog Sweater Pattern
It's times like these that I really wish I could knit. We have a Pekingese, not a Pug, but I think she'd still look totally rad in this Dalek dog sweater from Ravelry user, Peach Kraft. That's the cuddliest Dalek I've ever seen! Thanks, Kristin!
More:
- Dalek Pysanky Egg @Craftzine.com blog
- Pickles the Pug Crochet Hat Model @Craftzine.com blog
- Dalek Advent Calendar @Craftzine.com blog
- Needle Felted Dalek @Craftzine.com blog
- Dalek Dress @Craftzine.com blog
April 25, 2012
The Making of the Epic CAT-AT - An AT-AT Walker Cat Condo
Reddit user BillyAppletini posted about this amazing CAT-AT (and AT-AT Walker cat house) that he made for a friend. His comment thread has a lot of fun information about the building process, and his image gallery contains pictures of the project in-progress. I - I mean my cat - desperately needs one of these ...
I wouldn't consider myself a great woodworker or an artist - but I will take credit for being committed to a joke. I wrecked my house for a month building this, which was about 27 days longer than I wish it would have taken. The trickiest part was keeping any of my friends from coming inside my place for that whole time - I knew they wouldn't be able to keep it a secret!The inside of the CAT-AT has a fully furnished luxury cat condo.
I was originally going to forge an Amazon receipt and make it look like my buddy's cat ordered it on his Amazon account and have it delivered while he was at work, but enough was enough - when it was complete, I had to get it out of my loft and clean up.
I love the interior details like "trophy" bird heads mounted on the wall, a lighted bar with tiny liquor bottles, and a wee disco ball. This is amazing.
More:
- Tardis Cat Fort @Craftzine.com blog
- How-To: Build a Cardboard Cat Rocket @Craftzine.com blog
- AT-AT Dog Is Awesome @Craftzine.com blog
- Star Wars AT-AT Walker Pancakes @Craftzine.com blog
- Crochet AT-AT Walker @Craftzine.com blog
- Star Wars AT-AT Wedding Cake @Craftzine.com blog
April 16, 2012
How-To: Pocket Pet Hammock

If you've got a furry little friend, check out this adorable DIY pocket pet fleece hammock. These pet rats look so cozy, and it's a great way to use up scrap fleece!
March 27, 2012
How-To: 3-in-1 Cat Bed
Fellow CRAFT blogger, Haley, and I have been sharing stories and pictures of how our seemingly separated-at-birth-twinsie cats love to curl up right next to us on our desks while we work. It's sweet and cute, but when they choose to zonk out on a stack of important work papers, it can get a little frustrating. Haley posted a few teaser pictures of this awesome felt cat bed that she made for her kitties, and I was excited to see that she's now shared a detailed tutorial on how to make your own. It's a 3-in-1 bed, so it can be used in a variety of ways. It's perfect for a picky kitty who likes a change in pace from their usual nesting spot. And, since it's compact, it's a perfect desktop companion. This project is now at the top of my must-make list.
More:
- How-To: Color Spectrum Pet Bed @Craftzine.com blog
- oda Crate Pet Bed @Craftzine.com blog
- DIY Flokati Pet Bed @Craftzine.com blog
- Vintage Suitcase Cat Bed @Craftzine.com blog
- CRAFT Pattern: Valerian Fish Toy for Cats, from Craft Leftovers @Craftzine.com blog
February 22, 2012
Toki Nantucket The Cat Hat Etsy Model
Last week, we featured Pickles, the pug crochet hat Etsy model. Now, Laughing Squid introduces us to Toki Nantucket, the dapper cat in hats and bowties over on CatAtelier on Etsy. I'm really wishing my cat was open to accessorizing right about now ...
February 17, 2012
Pickles the Pug Crochet Hat Model
When Lion Brand pinned this adorable dog crochet unicorn hat, I was immediately smitten with the sweet pug pictured wearing the hat. As I checked out Sweethoot's Etsy shop, I was met with more wonderful pictures of Pickles the pug modeling cute crochet hats sized for dogs. It's noted in at least one product description that Pickles really enjoys the attention she gets when she's modeling. And, if you want to order a hat to match your pup's, you can do just that. I'm convinced we'd all be a lot happier if more pups like Pickles (and their owners) wore hats like this all the time.
November 18, 2011
Gift Guide: Animal Friends
With the holidays approaching we all have very special people and animals to make or buy gifts for. Here is a gift guide to help give you some ideas that you can create or find for those animal lovers in your life.
An upcycled vintage suitcase bed makes a perfect present for a cat or small dog, or the human who adores them. Also a great way to support an indie designer and use recycled materials.
A custom silhouette animal portrait is a nice way to commemorate our favorite small friend and let them take center stage on our wall. This, of course, can be adapted for humans, but what's the fun in that?
For the dapper dog, a colorful cubes bow tie, just might be in order.
A DIY Faux Fur Wrap is perfect for the animal-loving fashion plate in your life. Without hurting a fly, she can be warm, cozy and gorgeous.
Every dog and cat needs a collar, so why not hand make one with recycled or faux leather? This is a really great gift because you are providing something very practical and functional in a really custom, special way.
Another practical piece every animal needs is a name tag. Make that function have form with a handmade custom name tag.
Don't forget the tiny pals like bunnies and birds. You can make your bunny friends some handmade bunny treats.
More:
November 6, 2011
How-To: Cat Window Perch
We've only had our cat in our new house, and the windows here stretch from floor to ceiling giving her what we like to call her own personal big screen tv view of the backyard. I hadn't thought about, though, what it would have been like to have her in our old house that had standard middle-of-the-wall windows. She wouldn't have had an easy time tracking squirrels and birds, even if there was a bit of a window sill on which she could balance. A window perch like this one from Roeshel of The DIY Show Off Blog would be perfect in that situation. She shows you how to turn an old tray into a cozy spot from which you cat can keep an eye on everything going on outside. She's even included dangling cat nip toys that act as a play area for the cat when she's not perching.
October 27, 2011
AT-AT Dog Is Awesome
Katie Mello, a professional stop-motion character fabricator at LAIKA/house, made this awesome AT-AT costume for her pup, Bones Mello. You can check out her process shot on Bones' Facebook page. Katie writes, "From the first time we saw Bones, an Italian Greyhound, my husband and I thought he looked like an AT-AT. He has such an unusual shape. Three years later, I finally made him this costume." Bones has a little hand-sewn and painted "speed suit" topped with body pieces made out of 1/4"-thick foam sheets. Katie ensured that the costume would be cozy for Bones by sewing a soft fake fur lining into the light body piece. The little canons on the sides of his head are too cool, and he's clearly ready for action!
Our friend Bonnie Burton interviewed Katie on the Star Wars blog to get the inside scoop on how the costume was made, how Bones likes wearing it, and what other costumes he has. What a lucky dog!
Inspired to make something for Halloween? Be sure to enter it in our MAKE and CRAFT Halloween contest to win cool prizes. Costumes, decor, food, whatever you create for Halloween, is welcome in the contest.
Read our full contest page for all the details.
October 12, 2011
How-To: Harry Potter Dog Costume
My crafty pal Simone shared her fantastic Harry Potter Dog Costume—and adorable pooch—on All Free Holiday Crafts, and I just couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. This costume is both cute and wallet-friendly, using items that can be easily thrifted or pulled from your own overflowing stash. I'm not sure which detail I like the best, the little striped tie or the glasses?!
September 12, 2011
Tardis Cat Fort
Astromark created this beautiful half-scale Tardis for his very lucky kitty, Kaylee. I'm very impressed by how precise the copy is, and how hard he worked to ensure that all of the details were just right, from the sign on the door to the the lantern on top. Head over to Tardis Builder to see more photos of the building process! I think the Doctor would be proud.
September 9, 2011
Felted Berets For Your Cat
I was just thinking my cat's wardrobe could use a jolt of style... Maybe a felted beret from ToScarboroughFair on Etsy is in order? [via The Dainty Squid]