Fur goodness sake

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(TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)

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Don't let cat hair go to waste when you can use it to make crafts from Kaori Tsutaya's book. (CP)

As I wandered through a local bookstore looking for Christmas gift ideas, I stumbled upon a volume called Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make With Your Cat. Given the title, I thought the it was about making crafts for your cat. That brought to mind images of owners crafting while their pets sat on their laps. Considering this is the holiday season, I felt you might like to create homemade gifts for your cats. They could make hostess gifts or presents for fellow cat owners.

But this isn't what the book is about. It was written for craft lovers who want to use their cat's hair in the craft.

You read correctly. This book outlines how to collect, clean and manipulate cat hair to make things like finger puppets, change purses or decorations for sweaters.

The writer, Kaori Tsutaya, lives in Japan. Tsutaya explains the difference between the curly wool fibres and straight cat ones. It's more difficult to allow cat hair to bind into a yarn, but it can be used to create felt. Anyone who grew up with wool sweaters knows what it's like for the wool to turn from soft, pliable material into a tight mound of shrunken mess. If laundered improperly, a sweater meant to fit Santa could end up fitting Barbie.

As I read through the book, it was difficult to remember that this writer was talking about cat fur. She was enthusiastic about all of the fun things an owner could do with something most of us sweep off our floors or brush off our couches.

One suggested item is a cat-shaped felt used to cover a hole in a sweater made by moths. It struck me as odd. I spend half my mornings trying to get the fur off my sweater and this writer is suggesting crafters put it back on -- but in a funky design.

At this point, you might describe this book as creepy, as my 13-year-old daughters did. But the author is serious.

She's correct about one key thing and that is brushing. Regular brushing is very good for a cat's coat. It keeps the skin stimulated, allows you to inspect for bumps and insects, and prevents matting. Best of all, when you brush regularly hair balls are reduced.

Some of you may think this is an odd topic. I do, too.

I tried to write about other things. There was no escaping this cat fur. The other day, my mom mentioned she wanted a hand-crafted sweater and my dad told me about my uncle's friend who knits with her collie's fur. But the worst reminder occurred at my front door. A neighbour's cat left a hair ball that froze onto my mat. It was like a demented sign that I should write about cat books.

When you forget the crafts are made of cat fur, Tsutaya's designs do live up to the title. They are cute. In a way, the tufted strands look similar to mohair. Maybe that's the point. She's trying to persuade owners to see cat hair the way we do other products made from animal's hair or milk. The difference is, our pet cow doesn't curl up on our laps -- well, at least not more than once.

As I pondered this, something brought me brought me back to earth. Tsutaya explained that washing might not extract all insects from the fur. And crafters should be careful with these material as they could be allergic to them. She advised those who wish to sell the products to keep them under wraps.

I couldn't agree more. And if you do this craft, be forewarned that you'll be teased as "a crazy cat person."

While this book is beyond odd for most cat lovers, I did read another book that was more approachable and less likely to cause your friends to worry if you've drunk a bit more than your fair share.

It's called Letters to Jennifer: from Maudie and Oliver by Winnipegger Sharon Gray. It's a compilation of letters from a cat lover to her friend and boss who battled breast cancer and unfortunately lost the battle.

The book's anthropomorphic style served as a diversion to someone facing difficult times. If you know people dealing with cancer, you understand that it's all-consuming. These breezy letters may have helped Jennifer, but they can also bring a smile to anyone who loves cats and their quirky personalities.

What connects these two books is, of course, the subject of cats. One can be read for a lark, but the second helps support a local author who is donating some of sales revenue to cancer programs. It would be a good gift, too. Best of all, you won't have to collect fur to give it.

char.adam@mts.net twitter.com/charspetpage

In the pet community:

-- Sally Hull from Hull's Haven (border collie rescue) invites you to turn Facebook purple for one week. Facebook users can log on to raise awareness against animal abuse. Their goal is to reach 7,500 members who'll change their page to purple.

-- D'Arcy's A.R.C. is happy to announce that it is third in Canada for the Aviva prize for 100,000. This is the last week for daily voting. For further information on how to help our local rescue win cash that can be used to assist local cats and dogs, call 888-2266 or go to its website:

www.darcysarc.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 13, 2011 D5