Want to win a book – one of the On the Go series of books – “Cables” if you are knitter, or “Felted Crochet” if you are a crocheter? Knit or crochet a 6-inch square from washable yarn, such as cotton or acrylic, and send it to me. The names of those who send a square will be entered in a drawing for a book. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number.

The squares you send will not be returned. They will be sewn together into small blankets and donated to The Animal Orphanage and the Bangor Humane Society to serve as bedding for cats.

If any of this seems like deja vu, it is. I made the same request last year at this time and was overjoyed at the enthusiastic response it received. It was such fun to find in my mailbox envelopes and packages stuffed with yarn squares knit or crocheted by those who love cats and needlework, and who wanted to lend a hand.

I stacked the squares on my desk where I could see them and enjoy the textures, color, designs and care that went into their creation. The pile grew so high it fell over and I had to put the squares in a bag for safekeeping. However, I left a few on my desk to look at to serve as inspiration for future knitting and crocheting projects. My part of the cat mat project, aside for initiating it, was to knit as many squares as needed in case I did not receive a total divisible by six. (I didn’t, so I knit eight more to make things come out even.)

Deadline for receiving the squares is Tuesday, Feb. 26. Winners of the books will be announced in the By Hand column Tuesday, March 4.

“Cables” contains patterns for mittens, hats and scarves, each in a cable design. The traveling cable red mittens are a standout.

“Felted Crochet” contains patterns for bags, afghans, toys and other useful items such as pillows, baskets and even a tea cozy.

Last year the “cat mat project” yielded more than 100 squares from across Maine, created by women of all ages, one of whom had been crocheting for only two weeks. That translated to approximately 18 cat mats for the animal shelters. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could ramp that number up a bit? Last year, many contributors sent more than one square, so if you are moved to do so, feel free to make more than one.

As of Jan. 2, The Animal Orphanage had 20 cats available for adoption and the Bangor Humane Society had 10.

So go to it. Knit or crochet your wildest, fanciest, most humble or most elegant square. If you are just learning to knit or crochet, jump right in there. This is the perfect way to practice your newfound skill and for showing off what you’ve learned. It’s also a great way to knit for the common good of cats. It’s a fun way to practice new stitches, too.

If your square turns out to be not perfectly square, don’t worry about it. The cats won’t notice or care. They will be happy to have a warm bed to curl up on.

If you find yourself out of ideas for knitting a square, go to your local library and browse one of the many knitting and crocheting books you will find there. If you prefer the Web, visit www.knittingpatterncentral.com and www.crochetpatterncentral.com to find so many free patterns you’ll dance a jig for joy.

Send squares to: By Hand, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402.

Snippets

Maine Fiberarts in Topsham has lots of news to share:

. Maine Fiberarts has received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Challenge America Fast Track Program. The grant will be used to prepare and gather sites for the Maine Fiberarts Tour Map and Open Studio, planned for publication in 2009.

. Maine Fiberarts will have a booth at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show set for Jan. 15-17 at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta.

. The Maine Small Business Development Center will offer workshops that will prepare artists and craftspeople for trade shows. “Developing Collateral Sales Materials for Trade Shows” is set for Jan. 18 in Augusta. “Gaining Trade Show Advantage” is set for Jan. 19, also in Augusta. “Pricing, Credit and Shipping Policies for Wholesalers will be held Jan. 24 in Bangor and Portland. Visit www.mainesbdc.org or call 800-679-SBDC for more information.

. Original designs are due in February for the first Show Us Your Wears fashion show at Zero Station Gallery, Anderson Street, Portland. Curators are looking for radical and traditional, simple and complex garments. Learn more by calling 373-0373 or 774-6444.

. The Winterport Clippers Quilting Group made and donated quilts to residents of the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. Members who contributed quilts are Hope Bartlett, Julie Thomas, Suzan Howard, Carol Jordan, Shirley Jucius, Khris LaChance and Sandy Horn.

The Winterport Clippers meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at the Victoria Grant Center in Winterport. Call Horn at 525-4433 or LaChance at 223-5424 to learn more about the group or to become a member.

. Get creative with an SAD 22 Adult Education class in Hampden. Creative Scrapbooking is offered 6-9 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15, and Primitive Rug Hooking is offered 6-8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15. Call 862-6422 to register or for more information.

. Recently, I saw for the first time the television program, “Pushing Daisies.” I was delighted to find that the private investigator character, Emerson Cod, played by Chi McBride, knits to relax before and after his sleuthing adventures. He carries concealed weapons in red pistol cozies that he knits himself.

ahamlin@bangordailynews.net

990-8153