Cat Bed Made From a Jumper

Yeah, I can't think of an original title. But anyway it's happened people. It's actually happened. NSA has been exposed, the Rover is on Mars, summer has not yet been a wash out, Hell has decided on the run up for its ice hockey team and aviator schools now welcome pigs with open arms. And finally, after sixteen years in waiting, I am getting a kitten.

Now I need to buy stuff for it. Lots of stuff. With money. Lots of money.

That is until I came across this useful little make using an old jumper to make a Cat bed and cut my cost down somewhat. [I CLAIM NO CREDIT FOR COMING UP WITH THIS, I JUST FOUND IT VERY USEFUL, TRIED IT OUT AND NOW I WANT TO SCREAM TO THE HILLS WHAT A USEFUL MAKE IT IS. I DO NOT KNOW WHO CAME UP WITH IT, BUT WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE AWESOME AND I WOULD BUY YOU CHOCOLATE IF I KNEW WHERE YOU LIVED.]

On with the making. You're going to need:

• An old jumper (preferably woolen)
• Yarn/wool
• A tapestry needle (or a needle with a very very big eye)
• Stuff to stuff it with (stuffing, cotton, old socks, stripped/cut up cloth etc.)

 First lay the jumper out flat. I used an old jumper that has a hood. It's easier without but I worked it out along the way:

 

This is a tapestry needle:

It is bigger and can hold yarn/wool. Do this with it:

 Or in other words, sew the sleeve to the side halfway along. Here it is on the reverse:

As well this make, today I also learnt how to make a Blanket Stitch (the one I use here):

First make a simple loose running stitch

 Then pass the needle underneath

And pull and repeat

 A running stitch will probably be fine too, but this one seems to be a bit more sturdier, or just giving me the false sense of security at the very least.

Fold up the bottom and the sleeve:

Sew along the top:

Repeat with the other sleeve. Keep the sleeve holes themselves open for now:

Next I tucked the hood in and then stuffed the bottom a little with old holey, cut up socks I didn't need. Then sew up around the bottom:

Stuff the sleeves and sew up the rest:

And hey presto, you've learnt to save ten quid on a cat bed. Now all that's left is to get the cat to fill it and rack up vet bills, neutering, vaccine fees, kitty litter, food, pet insurance, replacement toys, yearly check ups, flea treatment...