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Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy, Plus a Giveaway!

December 10, 2013 12 Comments

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Yesterday, I shared how to DIY a knotted rope dog toy that my pooches are going to love finding under the tree this Christmas. My dogs, Woodrow and Storm, were both rescues and are the best mutts a person could ask for. But sometimes their toys can add up, particularly when they shred them. Looks like I’m not the only one with this issue – The ASPCA sent me some suggestions for more fun DIY gifts from their behavior experts, so you know they’re safe and good for your pets!

DIY Ideas – more than just toys!

  • To make a tasty chew toy, soak a rope toy in chicken broth and then freeze. Once frozen, give the toy to your dog for hours of savory chewing. – Woodrow would love this more than words can possibly say.
  • For cats, fill plastic Easter eggs with wet cat food as a fun food puzzle.
  • Rinse out an empty, cardboard milk carton, fill it with dry pet food and poke holes for a food-dispensing puzzle toy.
  • To give your pooch some holiday R&R, spray lavender oil on a bandana and tie around your dog’s neck. Evidence suggests lavender oil has a calming effect on dogs. – I’m SO doing this for Storm! She’s got a bit of an anxiety problem sometimes.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Good things to buy when you can’t DIY

I admit sometimes, even us DIYers need to buy the occasional gift, especially as we approach holiday crunch time. According to studies, 37 percent of Americans will be buying a gift for their pets over the holidays. Consider getting gifts that give back from the ASPCA Online Store, such as:

  • DJ Cat Scratching Pad – This is frigging hilarious.
  • 5-Piece Dog Gift Set -Can you say doggie donut?
  • Dog Stocking Toy
  • Cat Fling-ama-String

If you’re looking for gifts for a pet lover like myself…

(…family, hint hint!) These options for humans help support pets in need.

  • Walkers Shortbread Cookies
  • Diamond Paw Pendants from Zales
  • Symbolic Transport of an Animal Rescued from Cruelty or Disaster
  • Symbolic Puppy Socialization Class
  • Gift to the ASPCA in honor of one of your Facebook friends

Please don’t shop at stores that sell puppies!

All of the ideas shared here today are a great way to ethically shop this holiday season. Shopping at stores that sell puppies, even for gifts, supports puppy mills. If you know someone who doesn’t understand why to avoid puppy stores, have them check out this Sarah McLachlan-free (I promise) video for an easy explanation…

On a lighter note…

Win an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack

Since I don’t want to sign off with something sad during the holiday season, I’ll end with a giveaway just for you pet lovers out there. The ASPCA is offering a pet-tastic prize package, which includes: an ASPCA 5-Piece Gift Set, Walker’s Shortbread Cookies, an ASPCA Orange Tote, a Fight Cruelty Wristband, a Cat Ears Hat, a 2014 Animal Calendar, a Kitten play toy, and a Dog holiday hat.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Note: If you’re reading this not on HandsOccupied.com, you’ll have to visit the post to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I wasn’t compensated for this post, it’s just an issue I care a lot about. Gift suggestions and multimedia content were provided by the ASPCA, a pretty fantastic organization. :)

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, and Twitter.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: aspca, cats, diy gifts, dogs, gifts, giveaway, pet gifts, pets, shopping

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Michelle @ Delicate Construction!

    December 10, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    My dogs would love a prize package for no other reason than getting a treat! They are so easy to please!

    Reply
  2. Emily

    December 10, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Great post! I couldn’t agree more, my cats are rescues and I would never shop for a pet! I’d like to win this prize so I could share the cat toy with my cats, the dogs toys with my brother’s dog, and sport that ASPCA tote around town to spread the good word about helping animals.

    Reply
  3. Amy Anderson

    December 10, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Are those cookies for dogs or humans? Either way, someone is going to be very happy! :D

    Reply
  4. amanda

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Would love to win! When my husband and I decided to adopt a dog we went to our local shelter with the hopes of rescuing the ugliest, saddest, most overgrown dog. We found just that in a “senior terrier mix” who turned out to be a purebred standard schnauzer once we got him home and cleaned up.
    4 years later Chewy is still with us and everytime I look in his eyes I know he is saying Thank You.

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    My cats would like the toy and my dog would like gift set.http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/product/43100

    Reply
  6. Nicolette Beach

    December 10, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    I would love this because my cat’s are always up to try new toys and I work with dogs, so the dog items would also go to great use!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Dellinger

    December 11, 2013 at 12:55 am

    My adopted pup Sadie would absolutely LOVE a gift like this!! She never ever has enough toys (she’s an 11 month old pit mix and goes through toys like its nothing!) but is the most loving, loyal and deserving puppy I know! Please pick us!! Thanks! :)

    Reply
  8. Gina Shillitani

    December 11, 2013 at 4:00 am

    Our pets love everything you give them… except lettuce :)

    Reply
  9. Beverly {Flamingo Toes}

    December 11, 2013 at 11:17 am

    My cats would love the toy and my sis is bringing her puppy for Christmas, so the dog treats would be a big hit! :)

    Reply
  10. Malia

    December 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Wonderful post. I love spoiling my dog/baby! xo

    Reply
  11. carolyn ~ homework

    December 11, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    I’m a big supporter of animal rescue. All our pets have been from shelters or rescue groups. My Sammy would love any type of gift and would be thrilled with the prize!

    Reply
  12. Amy Orvin

    December 13, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    My dogs and cats would love the toys because the are Toy Maniacs and I would love the tote so I could witness to others about the importance of adoption and not to buy from pet stores.

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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