There are tons of great resources on the web for learning how to toilet train your cat and that is exactly where I turned when my family brought our latest edition home from the breeder.  So, we are just beginning the process of trying to toilet train Giggles (kids named our kitten Giggles), but I’ll keep you updated on our progress.  For now, here are the resources I came across in my search:

WebSites/Blogs:

http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html – Karawynn Long is a designer (and writer) that lives in Seattle.  She published this excellent article that talks about easing your cat onto the toilet which just makes a lot of sense.  It’s a simple concept that just takes patience but is what we are going to try first with Giggles.

http://www.wikihow.com/Toilet-Train-Your-Cat – WikiHow has an entry for toilet training your cat and again stresses the importance of patience.  They also mention that having a separate toilet to dedicate to the cat is certainly helpful.

http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com/Mingus/cat_training.html – Charles Mingus is one of the most important figures in twentieth century American music and an amazing bass player.  He put together this quick and simple set of instructions for toilet training a cat.

http://www.petsdo.com/blog/how-toilet-train-your-cat – PetsDo.com is a resource for all pet owners.  They actually sell a system for toilet training your cat.  It looks pretty interesting, but their step-by-step instructions have definite value even if you don’t opt for the kit (I’m not going to get it unless my kit-less approach doesn’t work, but you already know that).

http://cats.about.com/od/litterboxproblems/a/toilet_training.htm – About.com is a great resource for just about anything you want to learn about.  They have a great article here on litter training versus toilet training that deserves some consideration.

YouTube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I79-BnwbE_g – Another video of going from the litter box to the toilet with common household items and no kits.  This is actually the video to accompany Karawynn Long’s website.  It’s great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p943wK0tSWQ – How to Toilet Train Your Cat offers everything you need to know to toilet train your own cat in your own home. No fancy gadgets or programs to purchase.  It’s 5 minutes and well worth a watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4wka4aKtZE – How to Potty Train Your Cat – shows you how to get your cat to take care of their business on the potty (it’s pretty humorous too).  Just to warn you, they are selling a kit but you can at least leverage the concepts (the kit is pretty cool).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFc7h3UpER4 – Learn How to Toilet Train Your Cat – really shows different cats doing their business more than anything and is sort of gross from that perspective.  However, at this point any ideas are helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTvJrlgOyeg – Teaching Cats How to Use the Toilet uses a slightly different approach with different equipment but is fairly similar to Karawynn’s approach.  It is really a mixture of all of the above.

Okay, I’m not sure I can handle too much more of the websites and videos.  I am going to just have to begin this adventure myself with Giggles and see how far I can get without going crazy.  I think the challenge is really for us humans to have enough patience to get through the whole process without caving in and going back to the standard litter box and pooper scooper.  Thanks for bearing with me while I shared this with you if any of you can offer some advice please leave a comment below.  Thank you!

Warm woolen mittens and cashmere sweaters to cuddle up in come to mind when I think about knitting.  Handmade knitted hats or knitted clothes for the family dog are all ideas that can be found on the following blogs.  Do you have questions about how to knit one and purl 2?  Answers to all of your questions can be found on the following Top 20 Blogs about Knitting.

1. Start-knitting.blogspot.com For those beginning knitters this is a great place to start your journey into the knitting world.  This blog teaches you beginning stitches and how to cast your stitches on and off of your needles.
2. Theknittingblogbymrpuffythedog.blogspot.com Whimsical is how I would describe this blog.  She teaches us how to make the cutest teapot cozy and knitted flowers in a pot along with adorable hats.
3. http://knittedgems.com/ Learn to knit pillow covers as well as scarves and other wearable art.  You might have to go back into the archives a little on this blog as the blogger just had a new baby.  So if you love baby pictures and baby stories mixed with your knitting projects this is the blog for you.
4. Knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com Ever wanted to dye your own yarn to match your project?  This blogger goes over the details involved in doing just that.  Plus a great project for a hat with reindeer on it.
5. Divaknitting.com/blog More advanced projects can be found on this blog such as a cable knit sweater.  This blogger goes into detail about how to get the sweater even and looking like a sweater you’d be proud to wear.
6. Susyranner.blogspot.com Knitting projects from sweaters to socks can be found on this blog.  The photos found in these knitting projects are great and very helpful in completing and understand the projects.
7. Dreamylilac.blogspot.com While not a very current blog she does have adorable projects for dogs that are worth a look if you are interested in knitting clothes for your pets.  It’s a lot cheaper to knit for your pet versus buying something and you can custom design it to be what you want and to fit your dog well.
8. Knittingnonpareil.blogspot.com I picked this blog because she is current and she has a great pattern for knitting helmet liners for soldiers.  So if you knit and have some free time and want to do something for the soldiers make some helmet liners.  They are great for winter sledding as well if you just want to make one.
9. Coolshahs.blogspot.com Check out this blog for a very pretty cardigan sweater and a great hood-style hat great for the teenager in your life.  She even has some chunky mitten to match.
10. Queerjoe.blogspot.com Great knitting projects on this blog including a scarf among other things.  Great information on spinning your own yard from wool if you’ve ever wanted to do that.
11. Gumdrop.typepad.com/knitting While this blogger doesn’t post consistently she has some great projects for baby shoes and stuffed animals that are well worth checking out if you are needing a baby gift made from the heart.
12. Masondixonknitting.com I love this knitter’s dry sense of humor.  She also makes these great knitted bottle and can cozies.
13. Knittingincolor.blogspot.com A prolific writer this blogger shows patterns for gloves and mittens in various patterns and styles.  Not to mention hats and scarves to match.
14. Knittingmusing.blogspot.com Check out this blog for the cutest baby sweater and baby hat.  This isn’t your normal hat either it has two tassled points almost jester like in it’s adorable shape.
15. Knittingnonni.blogspot.com A great blog for beginning knitters there are projects like pot holders and afghans.  She also shows some great baby booties.
16. Childsfamily.com/knitting A very busy lady this blogger does a bit of everything.  She is training to run a marathon and likes to cook and share recipes as well as knitting.  She travels and works various shows and is an accomplished knitter and has several great projects in the works.
17. Knittingbythesea.blogspot.com Many great projects in her archives as well as getting to read about her life and how she works knitting into it.
18. Knittingbloggyblog.blogspot.com Great information and projects using circular needles.  She also makes the cutest hand warmers that are like fingerless gloves or mittens.
19. Quiltingandknitting.blogspot.com What do you do once you’ve finished knitting a project?  This blogger shows you how to block the sweater to shape it correctly.  Read more information on this technique.
20. Shandehknitting.blogspot.com A knitter since 1993 this blogger explains many different projects for various skill levels from beginner to more advanced projects like an infant gift set.