Kitty climber

Covered in soft carpeting, this kitty post is ready for play!

What you'll need
1/2-inch-thick wood large enough to cut a 16-inch square, a 12-inch square, and an 8-inch-wide circle
8-inch-wide cardboard tubular cement form
Saw; yardstick
Carpet scrap large enough to cover squares
Staple gun and staples
100 yards of sisal rope
Scissors; wood glue
Tape
Strong adhesive, such as Liquid Nails

Now make it together
1. Cut two wood squares, 16 and 12 inches square. Trace the inside of the tube onto wood and cut out.

2. Cut the tube to desired height (ours is 16 inches). You can make these tall, as long as they have a larger base to keep them from tipping over. Cut a square opening in the tube large enough for a cat.

3. Tape one end of sisal rope onto the tube flush with the edge of tube. Spread a generous amount of wood glue onto tube and begin winding sisal tightly around tube. Continue winding even around opening, until you cover the entire tube. Tape the end in place. Let the sisal firmly dry.

4. Lay carpet down, back side up. Lay boards down onto carpet. Cut out two squares of carpet, leaving a 3-inch trim around each side.

5. With large carpet piece back side up, lay the tube in the center. Trace around the tube and cut out the hole.

6. Glue with adhesive or nail the circle board onto the center of the 16-inch board.

7. The sisal should be dry now. Finish opening. Cut each piece of sisal at the edge of the opening. Use tape to hold the edges intact. Tape firmly from the outside into the inside of the tube.

8. Position the tube onto the wooden circle so that it sits nicely in place. Pull the carpet with hole cut out over the tube and lay it smoothly down in place. Staple at least 4 staples around the edge of the circle opening. Now you can temporarily remove the tube.

9. Turn the board over. Begin at one end, pulling the carpet around the edge, stapling as you go. Staple one side, then the opposite side. Do this until complete on both pieces of wood.

10. Use strong adhesive to glue around the inside of the tube at the base to hold it in place. You may also glue any carpet scrap pieces to the inside of the tube for your cat to have better traction on the inside.

11. Glue around the top rim of tube, add carpeted top with wood side down, and reinforce with several staples.

Note: Hang feathers or toys from your cat post if desired.

Excerpted from 501 Fun-to-Make Family Crafts published by Meredith Books, copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. Any rights not expressly granted herein remain with the Publisher, Meredith Books.