Project day...Catnip Hearts!

There isn't a kitten that wouldn't purr over a catnip-filled knitted pillow. The toys are also packed with wool stuffing and a jingle bell.

Knitted Catnip Delight How-To

This toy is a great way to use leftover yarn because it requires less than an ounce. You'll also need a handful of wool stuffing, a large needle, a jingle bell, and a couple of spoonfuls of dried catnip.

We used chunky-weight yarn and size-11 needles to make a 3-inch-wide heart. Using different yarn weights and needles will produce results in a variety of sizes. The instructions use standard knitting abbreviations; refer to the key for clarification.

Abbreviation Key

St= Stitch

K= Knit

KFB= Knit into front and back of stitch (to make 2 stitches where there was 1)

P= Purl

K2Tog= Knit 2 stitches together

P2Tog= Purl 2 stitches together

BO= Bind off

Instructions

To knit 1 heart:

Cast on 2 St.

Row 1: KFB, K to last St, KFB.

Row 2: P.

Repeat these 2 rows until there are 14 St (12 rows total).

Row 13: K2Tog, K5, and turn work; leave remaining 7 St on needle.

Row 14: Working with the 6 St closest to end of needle, P2Tog, P2, P2Tog.

Row 15: BO 4 Sts, and trim remaining yarn to 24 inches. Use large needle to weave yarn through back of piece to beginning of reserved 7 St.

Row 16: Working with reserved 7 St, K5, K2Tog.

Row 17: P2Tog, P2, P2Tog.

Row 18: BO 4.

To assemble toy:

1. Using a large needle, weave loose ends of yarn into back of heart.

2. Repeat knitting instructions above to make a second heart.

3. Stack hearts with right sides out. Using a mattress stitch and a needle threaded with yarn, sew hearts together along perimeter, leaving a 1-inch gap.

4. Tuck half the stuffing inside heart, and insert a bell and catnip. Add remaining stuffing to fill heart.

5. Sew closed the 1-inch gap in the heart pillow, and weave yarn up inner side of heart. Trim excess yarn at edge of heart so that the loose end is hidden inside.

(via Marta Stewart)