A flowering member of the mint family, catnip releases an aromatic oil that sends most cats into a blissful frenzy. This simple and inexpensive mouse-size toy, filled with catnip and sewn by hand, will provide your cat with hours of entertainment.

Tools and Materials
Newborn-baby sock
Dried catnip
Needle and thread
Yarn

Baby Sock Cat Toy How-To
Insert a paper cylinder into a newborn-baby sock, and use a spoon to fill the sock with dried catnip, breaking up any large pieces with your hands. Be sure to use dried catnip, as the fresh herb tends to mold, and bear in mind that catnip settles, so pack the toy tightly. With a needle and thread, blind-stitch along the top of the sock; to refill the sock, simply take apart the stitching, refill, and restitch. To dangle the toy from a doorknob or your hand, thread a piece of yarn through the back top of the sock so the yarn doubles itself, cut it to the desired length, and knot it in a few places to prevent tangling.

Although available at any pet store, catnip can be grown in a range of soils, dried, and then used to make this project. To learn more about growing catnip, click here.