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Knit Your Own Cat: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 16 Frisky Felines
Cat lovers, rejoice! It's the highly anticipated follow-up book to Knit Your Own Dog . With easy-to-follow instructions for 16 distinct felines, Knit Your Own Cat is the irresistible guide to knitting the pet you've always wanted.
Cats and knitters are perfect companions. What's better together than a kitten curled up in a basket of wool or a frisky feline chasing a skein of yarn down a hallway? Since the instant success of Knit Your Own Dog , cat lovers have been clamoring for a book of their own. That time has come. Knit Your Own Cat is packed with knitting patterns for 16 different fanciful felines, from a pretty Persian to a sleek Siamese, from a cuddly kitten to a traditional tabby. The cats are surprisingly easy to With a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. Each cat includes clear, step-by-step instructions for both knitting and assembling the parts. The cats can be knit into various positions such as standing, sitting, crouching, and curled up for a nap. You can add details like collars, bells, and bows. Photographs throughout show the finished cat from various angles, and each cat is accompanied by a description of its real-life temperament and physical characteristics. Cats Abyssinian, Bengal, Black Cat, Black & White, British Shorthair, Burmese, Devon Rex, Kitten, Maine Coon, Orange, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Tabby, Tortoiseshell, and Turkish Van.
Cats and knitters are perfect companions. What's better together than a kitten curled up in a basket of wool or a frisky feline chasing a skein of yarn down a hallway? Since the instant success of Knit Your Own Dog , cat lovers have been clamoring for a book of their own. That time has come. Knit Your Own Cat is packed with knitting patterns for 16 different fanciful felines, from a pretty Persian to a sleek Siamese, from a cuddly kitten to a traditional tabby. The cats are surprisingly easy to With a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. Each cat includes clear, step-by-step instructions for both knitting and assembling the parts. The cats can be knit into various positions such as standing, sitting, crouching, and curled up for a nap. You can add details like collars, bells, and bows. Photographs throughout show the finished cat from various angles, and each cat is accompanied by a description of its real-life temperament and physical characteristics. Cats Abyssinian, Bengal, Black Cat, Black & White, British Shorthair, Burmese, Devon Rex, Kitten, Maine Coon, Orange, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Tabby, Tortoiseshell, and Turkish Van.
144 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2012
2 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2012
As someone who loves cats and knitting, this was right up my alley(cat!). This is definitely for the experienced knitter, but may be encouraging for beginners to see what is possible. I am not sure exactly how many cats I will be knitting in my future, but it has some cute ideas nonetheless. This is surely not the most practical knitting book around, but it does have a niche for sure.
March 7, 2012
I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads, and recieved the book today. There are a great variety of cats to knit in the book, with varying poses as well. I have yet to try to knit one of the cats yet, so I can't say how difficult the patterns are, but as a word to the wise I would like to mention that the cats are all under a foot long, use size 2 knitting needles and very fine yarn.
October 9, 2019
I’ve made a few cats from this book and here’s my review:
These patterns are cute but are far more difficult than they have a right to be. The knitting isn’t bad but all of the seaming for each individual, tiny piece is beyond aggravating, and then there’s not even any certainty the cat’s even gonna come out right because the faces on most of them are either pointy like a rat’s or too flat.
These patterns have me questioning my own abilities, and I’ve been a knitter for a long time. The consolation is that I’ve spoken to other experienced knitters who have also encountered difficulties. I’m just amazed at how you can follow the patterns and the finished product still doesn’t look quite right.
So I guess I’ll stick to crocheting my cats. If you don’t know how to crochet, but want to make cats, then I’d suggest you learn crochet rather than follow this book.
Not sure why I’m rating it two stars and not one; I guess because cats and knitting are involved and those are my favorite things. Also, the authors are clearly talented and I can’t bash that.
These patterns are cute but are far more difficult than they have a right to be. The knitting isn’t bad but all of the seaming for each individual, tiny piece is beyond aggravating, and then there’s not even any certainty the cat’s even gonna come out right because the faces on most of them are either pointy like a rat’s or too flat.
These patterns have me questioning my own abilities, and I’ve been a knitter for a long time. The consolation is that I’ve spoken to other experienced knitters who have also encountered difficulties. I’m just amazed at how you can follow the patterns and the finished product still doesn’t look quite right.
So I guess I’ll stick to crocheting my cats. If you don’t know how to crochet, but want to make cats, then I’d suggest you learn crochet rather than follow this book.
Not sure why I’m rating it two stars and not one; I guess because cats and knitting are involved and those are my favorite things. Also, the authors are clearly talented and I can’t bash that.
April 16, 2012
I can't even convey the level of excitement I have about this book, and will report back after I knit my own cat! LOL
Want to read
February 7, 2012I don't need another cat but this could be awesome! And I could incorporate cat hair from each cat!
A perfect companion to 'Crafting with Cat Hair'.
A perfect companion to 'Crafting with Cat Hair'.
April 28, 2019
Like the author's previous book, Knit Your Own Dog, this book has well crafted patterns for knitting little stuffed kitties. All the kitties are scaled to each other - something I particularly like, just in case I knit them ALL! Good photos, and it's great that some cats are fashioned to be curled up and sleeping, sitting, or on the prowl. Some designs are more successful than others, sure, but this book is pretty solid regarding shaping and technique.
March 12, 2012
I received this book through a First Reads giveaway. I love cats and knitting, so my boyfriend tipped me off to this giveaway - this is a book that combines two of my favorite things!
The book is sweet. It includes instructions for knitting a variety of cats: exotic, domestic, sleeping, standing, kittens, various colors. As another reviewer mentioned, the patterns provide an excellent outlet for using up scrap yarn; the cats are small (not life-size) and therefore adorable little creatures you can easily keep on your desk or give as a gift.
I've started knitting the "Tabby Kitten Sitting" on page 45, and the pattern is well-written and clear. I consider myself an advanced beginner, and the patterns in the book and the knitting skills they require are not too difficult for me, though a more advanced knitter could tackle other patterns that might challenge them more, like the fancier long-haired cat patterns. I think these patterns would appeal to advanced beginners on up. I'm using some 4 ply yarn I already had in my stash, so my kitty will be a different color than the one in the book; the patterns are fun because they offer tips as to slight variations of color or with the eyes which you can use when creating your own cat. This way, they note, "you can knit the exact kitty you have always wanted to own." Aww!
The photographs of the knitted cats in the book are nice, too. This is a book I'd purchase if I saw it in stores.
I've added my Tabby Kitten to my Ravelry knitting projects, which I'll update as I go (does require Ravelry login): http://www.ravelry.com/projects/suzyj...
The book is sweet. It includes instructions for knitting a variety of cats: exotic, domestic, sleeping, standing, kittens, various colors. As another reviewer mentioned, the patterns provide an excellent outlet for using up scrap yarn; the cats are small (not life-size) and therefore adorable little creatures you can easily keep on your desk or give as a gift.
I've started knitting the "Tabby Kitten Sitting" on page 45, and the pattern is well-written and clear. I consider myself an advanced beginner, and the patterns in the book and the knitting skills they require are not too difficult for me, though a more advanced knitter could tackle other patterns that might challenge them more, like the fancier long-haired cat patterns. I think these patterns would appeal to advanced beginners on up. I'm using some 4 ply yarn I already had in my stash, so my kitty will be a different color than the one in the book; the patterns are fun because they offer tips as to slight variations of color or with the eyes which you can use when creating your own cat. This way, they note, "you can knit the exact kitty you have always wanted to own." Aww!
The photographs of the knitted cats in the book are nice, too. This is a book I'd purchase if I saw it in stores.
I've added my Tabby Kitten to my Ravelry knitting projects, which I'll update as I go (does require Ravelry login): http://www.ravelry.com/projects/suzyj...
February 20, 2012
Really cute book. I haven't knit anything from it yet, but there's a nice range of patterns in terms of cat breeds, colors, and body positions. This isn't a beginner book, and there are no "how to knit" instructions, but advanced beginners who understand basic shaping techniques could handle some of the simpler patterns.
One drawback: these patterns are all text, and I'm very fond of charts for color and texture work. For these smallish projects with lots of body shaping, though, maybe charting would be impractical. But it means you sometimes have to deal with instructions like "Incsa, k5sa, k1tf, k1bl, k6sa" etc., where the letters at the end are color abbreviations (Savannah, Toffee, and Black in this example from the Bengal pattern). It would be slow going for me - I'd probably end up making my own chart with colored pencils. But with such adorable patterns, it's worth the effort.
One drawback: these patterns are all text, and I'm very fond of charts for color and texture work. For these smallish projects with lots of body shaping, though, maybe charting would be impractical. But it means you sometimes have to deal with instructions like "Incsa, k5sa, k1tf, k1bl, k6sa" etc., where the letters at the end are color abbreviations (Savannah, Toffee, and Black in this example from the Bengal pattern). It would be slow going for me - I'd probably end up making my own chart with colored pencils. But with such adorable patterns, it's worth the effort.
April 15, 2012
I always wanted to knit, but I never learned. However, my best friend, Michelle, knits beautifully and so I passed this amazing book on to her and she has had the time of her life knitting these cats. I am guessing that her daughter will become the new owner of each one of the cats, but she and I both loved this book. (me looking through the pictures and Michelle knitting them)
February 24, 2012
Great book for beginner to advanced knitters. Great way to learn new stitches and techniques on a small project that can easily be ripped out when mistakes are made. Good way too, to use up scrap yarn.
June 23, 2013
I got this book out from MEL and it seems like a good book. I don't want to make anything from this book at this time, maybe sometime in the future. It seems like a lot of work and they come out quite small. I would like to make a cat before I try a dog.
Want to read
April 24, 2012Recieved in the mail today and already love it. Good for next winter, if I don't have any more books to read.
Would be great fun to knit a red-haired cat.
Would be great fun to knit a red-haired cat.
Want to read
February 19, 2012udder cuteness!
May 6, 2012
cute, but I don't think I want to work that hard on knitting a cat. It's not like I can wear it.
October 18, 2015
Cute book with little bits of info on cats/breeds. Going to have to make some.
November 5, 2013
Cute with lots of varieties of cats. A bit above my knitting skill level, and I think most of the cats heads look a little weird.
Read
December 12, 2014I'm probably not going to actually knit anything from the book, but it sure is adorable!
Read
December 17, 2016This book is crazy but entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews