Knitted Cat Pattern Review

Pookie_Doodle

I saw this pattern for a knitted cat on Ravelry and as I just adore cats I couldn't resist having a go.

I thought I would share my journey and experience in case you want to knit a cat yourself.

The pattern is by Claire Garland and can be found on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cat-48

So to begin..... I looked at the recommended yarn and realised I could neither afford or justify spending nearly £30 on yarn to make a toy cat :(

So I popped up to my local yarn shop and there found a lovely variegated yarn by Cygnet yarns, called Prism. The colours looked lovely in a variety of browns, creams and blacks. Perfect to look a little bit like my own cat.

The pattern uses several strands of 4ply and lace yarns worked together so I hoped a double knit would suffice, if not it will just come out a different size to the pattern. I bought one ball (100g) and so far I think it will be enough. I also bought 100g of a plain beige DK "Baby Pato" for the muzzle and paws but now having started the pattern I realise maybe a smaller ball would be enough or scraps from my stash, but never mind the rest will come in for something else. In total I spent just under £5.00. I still have to buy eyes but have found some on Etsy for around £2.50 for a pair of cats eyes.

I'm using 4mm knitting needles.

The pattern is really well written and I am now at the back legs and have had no problems at all understanding what to do. There are very, very detailed instructions and lots of photos, plus video help but I've not come to that part yet.


My advice would be to read through the first few pages and the special stitch instructions before you get started.


I think if you can get through the first part you won't have any problems at all.


I think the muzzle is the trickiest part, not that it is difficult or hard to understand, it just needs some patience and dexterous hands to twist and turn the work. This is my muzzle completed.

Another tip if you decide to use a different yarn to that suggested in the pattern and it is a variegated one, make sure when rejoining the yarn that you find the same colour within the ball, even if it means winding off some of the other colours. As you can see above I have a definite line between the dark brown and the beige colours - I should have found the same brown and rejoined that, not the beige. Never mind I'm sure it will look fine when done, I might even sew a few long and short stitches to blend it in and break up the line when finished.

Here you can see the head (minus its ears) and the shoulders. The colours spread softly so I'm happy with how it is working out.

Here the body with start of back legs is beginning to take shape, you can see how this time I rejoined the yarn for the legs by finding the colour match and you cannot see the join.

I am pressing on with this cat. Knitting isn't my favourite pastime these days, I much prefer crochet,  but I wanted it so much that I'm prepared to do it.

Update 22nd August 2019.

Well we now have a full body! I changed my mind and decided to use the beige for the inner back legs and will also use it for the underside tummy. Again the pattern was easy to understand and as you can see we have a cat, albeit flat :)

The back legs fold in so that the inner beige is inside and joins with the under body colour. Just the ears, belly and eyes to do now.

Here is the back leg folded, you can see how it now forms a ticker thigh with narrow legs.

The front legs fold the same

You then knit in the belly by picking up stitches, don't be worried if it looks too small, you need to stretch and it it around the body edges:

The eyes require 15mm toy cats eyes, however it was bank holiday here and I was so desperate to get it finished that I made my own using 10mm toy safety eyes in black which I already had. I then crocheted a small circle by making a magic ring into which I crochet 8 dc (sc in US terms) then joined the round. I didn't pull the magic circle too tight so that I could put the stem of the eye into it. See following photos.

As part of the eye making process you knit a square 7sts x 7 rows and fold in half to form a rectangle. I  had trouble understanding this part as it talked about a 'boat' shape but after chatting with someone else who is making it I found I was indeed doing it correctly. (Thanks J)

Here is one eye in position:

Now both:

Now came the making up. I got a bit stumped in one part where it talked about using vach stitch to join some pieces, after a bit of googling and not finding anything I realised it was actually a typo and should be back stitch! LOL

I don't think I got the face right but I'm happy with how it come out.

I love how he has turned out but in hindsight would have made it in all variegated yarn and used only the beige for the paws which had been my original intention. I'm disappointed in the thickness of the yarns, they are both supposed to be double knit but the plain beige is much thicker than the other and it did have an effect on how it sewed together. The Prism variegated yart is more like a 4 ply.

I only stuffed the head and feet really well, the body is fairly well stuffed but only enough to keep it's shape allowing for some movement in positioning the cat, the legs were very sparsely stuffed.

I love the attention to detail on the cat, the little ear flaps just like a cat has, the little mouth and whisker pouches, knee bends too. So much work has gone into this pattern, it is unbelievable.

The pattern is really well written and you can't go wrong if you take it step by step. There are also lots of videos of individual steps for making up.

Well done Claire you are amazing.

I do hope you have a go at this cat, I won't say it is easy but if you like a challenge then go for it.

Would I make it again? Maybe. To be honest knitting isn't my favourite craft, I much prefer crochet and it is rare for me to do any pattern twice anyway. But I love cats and just had to make him :)

Happy knitting!

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Cat toys quick and easy crochet

I made these cat toys in just an hour or so, they were so quick and easy to make and my cat loves them.

I didn't have any catnip to add but all the same she still chases them around and throws them in the air!

The little loops around the edge help the cat to catch them but without tangling in their paws or claws.

If you don't know how to do the loop stitch you can find my tutorial here, it is very simple to do:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-8g1HRjt1s
 

The FREE pattern for the cat toy can be found here on Ravelry by Esh Crochet: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/squibble-cat-toy

Happy crocheting!

Find me on:

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Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pookie_Doodle
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Pet Bed Cat or Dog bed crochet tutorial

This is a crochet pattern for a pet bed. It is worked in the round in a continuous spiral and the edge is stuffed to give a soft, cosy bed.

I was inspired to make this pattern after getting a new cat and finding all the beds very expensive. I had lots of odd balls of yarn around so used them up to make it.

The pattern is free to use, however please do read the terms of use at the bottom of the pattern before you begin. If you have any problems or questions please do get in touch, I’ve found it hard to explain it all in writing so please do watch the video as it will really help explain what I mean: Video tutorial available here: https://youtu.be/dL4QAasj7lE or search www.youtube.com for Pookie Doodle Crafts

Instructions: .. to add to your Ravelry Projects, click here:

Yarn: Great for using any leftover oddments of yarns - aran and chunky work best but it might work with double knit too.
I used around 250-300g of aran and chunky.
Stuffing: Any suitable stuffing such as toy stuffing, old cushion stuffing, cut up t.shirts work too.

Method:

Hook: 5.5 mm - larger hook will give a larger size, likewise a smaller hook will give a smaller size.

All terms used are UK crochet terms.
Ch - Chain
dc - Double Crochet (single crochet if you are in the US)
St - Stitch
Inc  - work 2 double crochet stitches into one stitch below
FO - Fasten Off


To begin make a magic ring and work 6 dc into it ... if you prefer to work in chain rings, make 6 chains and join with a slip stitch then work 6 dc into it. (6 sts)

Place a marker in the first stitch so you know when you come back around to where you started. You will be working in continuous rounds, not joining the round.

1st round: 2 dc in each stitch (12sts)

2nd round: *1 dc in next stitch. inc in next stitch** - repeat from * to ** all the way around. (18sts)

3rd round: *1 dc in next 2 sts. inc in next stitch** - repeat from * to ** all the way around.
4th round: *1 dc in next 3 sts. inc in next stitch** - repeat from * to ** all the way around.
5th round: *1 dc in next 4 sts. inc in next stitch** - repeat from * to ** all the way around.

Continue is this way doing one more stitch between the increases until you have 25 stitches between the increases.

For a larger bed continue as above until you have the base the size you need.

Next round: Turn your work over and going back the other way work ONLY in the front loops (this round only) doing 1 dc  in each stitch.

When you come back around to the marker do not join the round but continue working on in a spiral, doing 1 dc into each stitch, now working through both loops.

Continue on, round and round in a spiral until the side wall is twice the height you want the finished bed.

Now fasten off and then sew the top edge to the back loops that were left when you worked into the front loops. These will be located inside the bed near the fold.

Alternatively you can crochet them together as I do in the video.

As you sew or crochet them together stop from time to time and begin stuffing the side wall - if you sew it all first then you might have difficulty getting the stuffing all the way around.

It is worth watching the video as I am able to give far more detailed explanation on what I mean, than I can express in writing: https://youtu.be/dL4QAasj7lE

Enjoy!
Terms of use:
The pattern is free to use for personal use only. You may not copy, reproduce, sell, distribute physically or digitally or put the pattern on your own blog/website - instead please provide a link back to my blog or Ravelry download.
Please do not claim the pattern as your own.
Please credit Pookie Doodle Crafts www.pookiedoodlecrafts.co.uk as the designer and provide a link where possible.

The items you make: You may do what you like with the items you make from the pattern but please give me credit for the design where possible. I would also love to see photos of your finished items, please share them here on my blog www.pookiedoodlecrafts.co.uk  or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/pookiedoodlecrafts or Ravelry www.ravelry.com/pookiedoodle
If you sell them and make a reasonable profit please consider making a little donation to a charity from it - I would really appreciate that and thank you in advance :) 


Happy crocheting!

Find me on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pookie_Doodle
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Jumpers for Cats - Crochet

No I've not turned into a crazy cat lady dressing up cats! These jumpers are for poorly kitties.

A local cat rescue sometimes has to shave cats because they arrived with their fur too matted and in poor condition to be able to groom it out, so once the cat is shaved they feel the cold and the little jumpers help keep them warm while the fur grows back.

I used Velvet Kerfuffle's pattern on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mock-turtleneck-sweater-for-cats as the basic pattern but did add a curved edge at the end just to give a little more coverage when the kitty is curled up. I did this by stopping one stitch short at the end of each row as I turned until it was down to about 10 stitches.

The turtle neck might not be ideal for a small kitten so I'm going to make some without the roll neck and see how they look.

They are made with a large hole for the front legs, this is better than have two small individual leg holes as it is less restrictive. The cats back legs and tail then stick out the back. The mock crochet ribbing around the neck is not tight but flexible enough to hold it in place.

I didn't have a toy cat to try it on but here is what it looks like on the toy rabbit I made last year! :)

The pattern is really easy to follow and I made this in a few hours one afternoon, it is all worked in UK double crochet. I used Cygnet Chunky yarn and a 5.5 mm hook, it took just under 100g. For a smaller cat or kitten double knit would probably do with a 4.00mm hook.


Happy crocheting!

Find me on:

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Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pookie_Doodle
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Amineko Crochet Toy Cat

As soon as I saw this pattern I knew I wanted to make one, I LOVE CATS! These looked so cute.

The pattern is really well written and set out in an easy to understand way, with diagrams as well as written pattern plus it is FREE. Note that the pattern is written in US crochet terms so you will have to convert to UK terms, however as it is all done in double crochet stitches, that is really easy!

Most of the pieces are made in tube shapes and they make up in a very short time. It took me just a few evenings to make one cat.

When I made the mouth I didn't think it would look right, I held it to the head and almost gave up because it looked 'wrong' , but once it was stuffed lightly and sewed in placed suddenly the face came to life and it looks super.

Don't make my mistake and stuff the arms and legs, they are not stuffed all the way, just in the ends of the paws. I had to undo them and take out the stuffing.  The pattern does say to add plastic beads to the ends for weight but I didn't have any however, it still worked out fine. You can also put beads in the base of the body. I did consider using rice or dried peas but thought if I ever wanted to wash it then the rice/peas would go soggy and the last thing you want is a soggy rice filled cat!

I used a variegated yarn for this one ..... I've named her Candy Cat, she's a very laid back cat...... but it would look just as nice in plain or even two colours.

I'm definitely going to be making more Amineko Cats for my grandchildren, if I can bear to part with them that is!

Find the FREE pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amineko-crocheted-cat



Happy crocheting!

Find me on:

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Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pookie_Doodle
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Teeny Tiny Crochet Kitten

As soon as I saw this pattern I knew I had to have a go!

I didn't have a crochet hook as small as the pattern suggested and I think my crochet cotton was a bit thicker than it should have been so it came out a bit larger than the photo on the pattern. But I'm happy with it, I think it is the smallest thing I've crocheted ...... so far :)

It was an easy pattern to follow and I made it in one evening.

Big thank you to Julie for giving the pattern away for free, you can find it here:

http://www.armigurumi.com/wordpress/language/en/teeny-tiny-kitty-cat-free-pattern/

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Amigurumi Cats - Amicats pattern review

The three little kittens! (but I don't think they have lost their mittens :) )

I love cats so was very quickly drawn to the Ami Cats crochet cats, designed by June at Planet June.

The patterns are not free, you do have to purchase them, so I only bought one - the tabby cat - as I wasn't sure how easy it would be and didn't want to waste money. You can buy one pattern for each of three cats, or all three in one pattern at a discounted priced.

The patterns are really well written with lots of written instructions and also photographic help for both right and left handed crocheters. There are instructions for making the features in a variety of ways too.

I would recommend using stitch markers as it is easy to lose count and a marker will help note of the first stitch of each round. Stitch count is essential, make one mistake and the whole cat will look wrong, so count each round has the right number of stitches to make sure you have got it right, rather than risk finding it doesn't work out at the end. Also, for the tabby there are lots of colour changes for the stripes so it is easy to lose count of those.

It can get quite fiddly to do the stripes and some of the small pieces, such as the ears but all you need is patience, time and concentration.

The instructions tell you to stuff the front legs and then continue to work around them to fasten to the body, but I found it easier to attach them first, then stuff them once the body was finished, but that is a matter of personal choice and what works for you.

I first made a tabby. I've called him Tiger:

As previously said it does have a lot of yarn changes for the stripes and you will have a lot of yarn ends to darn in, but there are tips on how to best use the yarn to avoid having too many. I used 6mm eyes as that was all I had at the time, but they seem a bit too small.

Next I tried one in a grey variegated yarn, leaving out the stripes and just working the whole cat in one shade. I called him Isiah, because when I'd finished I noticed one eyes higher than the other!

I tried 10mm eyes on this one but they seem too big, although it does give that nice wide eyed kitten look and before I sewed on the ears it did look more like a seal.

Having a look through my stash I found some fur yarn in a very light blue, it made me think of a beautiful Persian blue cat, so I thought I would see how that worked out. It was tricky seeing the tiny stitches through the fur but it seemed to come out OK, again it needed time and patience and it was probably a mistake to try and make it while watching War and Peace on TV! After quite a few mistake I decide to leave it to a quieter time when I could fully concentrate. Because of the War and Peace connection I've called him Pierre.


I used 8mm eyes on this one and they seem just right.

 By a strange coincidence while looking through a box for yarns I came across an old book that I'd had from my childhood, it was called The Three Little Kittens!

I remember vividly reading this with my mother and loving the little kittens. I'm sure this is where my love of cats came from.

You can find the pattern for the Ami Cats here: http://www.planetjune.com/blog/amicats-crochet-patterns/


and thank you June for such a fun time making them.

Whatever you get up to, happy crocheting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Tiny Amigurumi cats using kinder egg middles

These stripey little amigurumi cats were so easy to make and fun to do.

My grandson kindly 'donated' the plastic middle from a Kinder Surprise egg he got at Easter and was thrilled with the result.

You can fill the plastic centre with rice, beads etc. if you want it to rattle (but make sure it is safe before giving to a young child!).

They are very small so the work was quite fiddly but well worth persevering as they are really cute and only took me about an hour to make.

Ideal way to use up small amounts of yarn, you need something around 4ply or thinner and I used a 2.00 hook which was slightly larger than that suggested as I didn't have a 1.75mm one but it all came out ok.

I did change the tail slightly as I was finding such a small circle of 8 stitches very hard to hold for a long length of time and crocheting so instead  I crocheted it across ways 10 stitches in stripes back and forth and then rolled the tail lengthwise and sewed it together.

Big thanks to Kristi Tullus for making the pattern and giving it away for FREE! You can find the pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripy-cat-rattle

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Cats and crafts

I am very much a cat lover and cats or kittens feature in many of my creations.

Here are just a few, there are more which I will post about on another day:

Cat footstool - this was a tapestry design taken from the Crafty Cat Workbasket by Julie S. Hasler

I changed the design from that in the book to match the colours of my black and white cat at that time. The footstool was made from a piece of wood with some wadding placed between the tapestry and then the tapestry was held in place with decorative wood pins. (Similar to drawing pins but a little stronger, available from most hardware stores). I then added four small legs at each corner. Alternatively you might be able to pick up a small footstool from a charity shop and alter the design to fit the size.

Another design from the same book was this cross stitch scented bag. Once the cross stitch was finished I added a backing and a lace edge then filled it with a little soft wadding soaked in perfume.






You can still purchase this book at Amazon: The Crafty Cat Workbasket









These decorated T. Shirts were made using the 'Waste Canvas' technique.

Waste Canvas is a type of cross stitch canvas, it has an even weave. At the time I used waste canvas that was single threads and when you have finished your cross stitch you simply pull out each thread, from the top and then from the side, leaving your cross stitch in place on the work. You can still purchase this type of canvas but you can also now get waste canvas that will dissolve when wet thus providing another way of removing it. Here is an example, but it is available in many different counts: Waste Canvas

One tip for working with waste canvas is to make sure you do not catch any of the canvas in your stitches as you work, otherwise it will not pull out when you have finished.
I did two patterns both taken from 'Cute Cats and Teddy Bears' by Debbie Minton, one was a cat face and the other a sleeping kitten.

They look very effective when worn and many people were keen to know where I had got the T. Shirt.

You can still purchase this book at Amazon here: Cute Cats and Teddy Bears

I hope you have fun if you have a go at making something 'catty' :) I will come back another day and share my plastic canvas cat creations, a large cat tapestry and cat face cushion.

Happy crafting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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