OUR KNITTERS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY! Come to The SF/SPCA to purchase some of the knitted items for your pets and pets you know and love. These great toys come in all colors and yarn-types, something for everyone!

And don't forget the crocheters! We are also looking for folks who like to crochet and who would be willing to make and donate crocheted ball toys, also to be sold here. An SF/SPCA volunteer has offered to be listed as the contact for anyone wanting to learn how to crochet the blankets. Call Deborah Stephens at 415.504.7164.

We are also seeking donations of yarn to use for these projects. Got any old skeins or balls lying around, unfinished projects that can be unraveled or know of a supplier who might have overstock they are willing to donate? We aren't being picky about type of yarn, most of us use acrylic, although washable wools or wool blends, or even washable cotton would be fine. Bring 'em on!

Donations or finished projects can be brought to Maddie's Adoption Center [250 Florida St. near 16th St.] between 11AM and 6PM daily. Be sure to mark donations for "Cat Behavior Department".

Basic Cat Bed Size 10 or 10 1/2 needles. We use 4 ply yarn, knitted with two strands to make it very thick, but any washable yarns will do. We use garter stitch because it is quick and easy, but any stitch creating a fairly thick mat-like bed is fine Finished bed should be approximately 14" wide X 20-21" long. Colors-any and all, the more creative and interesting the better-the same with textures. Yarn must be washable No dangling ends (fringes), or textured yarn that a cat could easily ingest-it can be very serious, sometimes fatal if they swallow it. Cast on 43 stitches - or whatever gives the 14" width

"Wontons" and "Eggrolls": The patterns can be found at www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTdimsum.html. We make them a bit smaller, more like 3" or 3 ½" squares for the Wontons. We do not use catnip. Purchasers can add catnip later if they like.

Knitted Kitten Toy Balls Materials: Any washable yarn, 2 colors Size 4 needles Polyester stuffing Directions: *Slip 1, knit 12, turn Slip 1, knit 10, turn Slip 1, knit 9, turn Slip 1, knit 8, turn Slip 1, knit 7, turn Slip 1, knit 6, turn Slip 1, knit 5, turn Slip 1, knit to end of row, pick up horizontal loop and knit together with last stitch, turn Slip 1, knit to end of row, pick up horizontal loop and knit together with last stitch, turn Change to Color 2, knit all 14 stitches, repeat from * Repeat until you have three segments of each color. Bind off, leaving a long end (to close ball when stuffed). With the two shorter ends (one on each side) draw up sides with a tapestry needle, pull tight and secure. Stuff and close.

Crochet Cat Ball Toys Materials: Sport weight yarn, hook size G Instructions: slip knot with tail approx. 1-2" long ch 4 slip stitch in 1st ch (next to the knot on the top side) ch 1, sc in same space 2 sc in each sp around (forms Round 1; should have 12 sc) Round 2: 2 sc in each crochet (enter under both strands of ea. crochet from round 1) Rds 3-5: sc each crochet from prev. Rd Rd 6-7: Dec. - * sc, skip 1 sc from prev Rd, sc in next sc * Repeat between *'s for 2 Rds (keep tension strong to prevent holes) Turn inside out Rd 8: Repeat Rd 7 Stuff tightly with batting (fill to opening) Rd 9: Dec. until you have no more Rds. ch 1 to knot end cut tail approx. 1" long to hide tail, enter hook in an opening approx. 2 Rds below tail and push hook end up to grab tail and pull it inside (and off end of hook). Repeat until tail is completely inside ball Ball should be approx. ping pong sized

"Variation" on the cat toy balls: Use "H" crochet hook Chain 4 and join with slip stitch to form ring. Row 1: 10 sc in ring Row 2: 2 sc in each st-a total of 20 sc Row 3: 1 sc in each st Row 4-7: 1 sc in each st Row 8: To decrease: *put hook through first st, draw yarn up; put hook through next st, draw yarn up'; draw yarn through all 3 loops* Repeat from * until opening is half the size. At this point stuff the ball. Continue to decrease until ball closes up. End off