There seems to be a special connection between a lot of knitters and their cats, a bond that is celebrated in Donna Druchunas' Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and their People. The book includes 20 projects made especially for cats, cat people and the home they share.
But you don't have to fear that you'll look like a crazy cat person wearing these projects or having them in your home. For the most part they're fun, fashionable reminders that you love felines.
The Patterns
The vast majority of Kitty Knits is devoted to the patterns, with just seven pages at the back of the book discussing techniques required to complete some of the projects.
The book is divided into three sections: knits for cats, knits for humans and knits for the home. The cat pattern section includes three cat beds, a felted food placemat, catnip mice, furry toys and a felted toy that hangs around a doorknob.
The book wisely notes in several places that not all cats can resist eating eyelash yarn or other strings, so those projects should be altered or avoided if you have such a cat.
For humans there are two sweaters, two scarves, two hats, a pair of socks and a pair of slippers, while patterns for the home include a baby blanket with a cat motif, a cat-themed throw and a felted bag, pillow and doorstop in the shape of a cat.
Most of the patterns (11) fall in the intermediate skill category, while three each are rated for beginners, easy or for experienced knitters.
Some of my favorites are the Bull's-eye Cat Bead, a round bed with furry edges; the Color-work Chullo, a classic hat with cat motifs; the Hidden Cat Scarf, which uses illusion knitting to hide a cat face on the fabric; and the Felted Carpet Bag, featuring an intarsia cat and an appliqued butterfly.
This book is both cute and useful for people who love knitting and cats. They're sure to find patterns to try for their furry friends and themselves.
Publication date: January 2008.
