The following are some knitting projects to create cat accessories, playthings, and figures. All of these sites provide detailed directions and photographs of the finished items.
Patterns for Knitting Cat Beds, Blankets, and Pillows
There are a number of knitting patterns to create cat beds and blankets. Felted cat beds are quite popular, with several free designs available:
- SockPixie has created an attractive design for a bowl-shaped bed with curled walls.
- Wendy Johnson provides directions to make a felted bed with fluffy trim, as well as a gallery of cats enjoying various beds made from the pattern.
- Arlene Williams offers a pattern for a wider felted cat bed with lower sides (scroll to the bottom of the page for photos of the finished product).
- Chrome Kitty provides a crochet design for a felted cat bed with high sides and a round tub shape.
To create a cushier stuffed bed (non-felted), PolarKnit provides a free pattern for a round bed (PDF) knitted with very thick yarn and large needles. The pattern creates 8 lightweight panels that the crafter can stitch together. Using a relatively small amount of stuffing is recommended so that the cat or dog can make a nice nest in the center of the bed.
For an atypically shaped bed, the Orange Fish Knits blog offers a simple pattern for a Cozy Cat Crescent – a crescent-shaped bed made from stuffed knitted triangles.
For crafters who like to create matched sets, Deb Richey provides this crochet design for a bicolour kitty throw and pillow set, featuring cats on an alternating background.
For beginning knitters and those seeking simpler projects, the Frosted Kitten Blanket and the Garter Stitch Pet Shelter Blanket are nice, easy options. Knits by Nat provides also provides directions for a relatively simple nubby patterned cat blanket with a garter stitch border.
Patterns for Knitting Cat Toys
There are plenty of free patterns online for knitting catnip-stuffed mice toys. Samantha at Wilderness Witch Knits has created a simple pattern for knitted mice. This is a great pattern because are no pieces that can be chewed off, which makes these mice safer than most cat toys. Jane Ramsay also provides a free knitting pattern to make slightly more elaborate catnip mice with embroidery thread whiskers.
Julie Falatko has developed unconventional cat toy knitting patterns to create playthings that look like egg rolls and wontons. Another unconventional cat toy can be created using the whale pattern provided by Vicki of Simple Knits, and a third atypical pattern is the Catnip Bunny, available on the Coffee and Cream blog (this pattern can be accessed by joining Ravelry, a free site for knitters and crocheters). A fourth unconventional cat toy, the Bumblecat Toy (a cute knitted bee on a string) can be created from the pattern provided by Christine Landry.
Patterns for Knitting Cat Figures
There are a number of patterns available for knitting cats, including Simplicity Creative Group’s whimsical stripy cat draft stopper and Just Jussi’s knitting patterns for happy little fortune cats.
Additional crafts include Kate the Cloth Cat, a simple pattern for creating a knitted square with a cat silhouette (the KnittingKnonsense site has a variety of other animal silhouette patterns available as well) and Jess Hutchison’s Kitten in Britches. Hutchison’s site also provides directions for various other creative knitting crafts including pocket creatures, knitted necklaces, clothing, yoga bags, and more.
For additional cat-related crafts and free patterns, see Free Cat Sewing and Quilting Patterns; Free Christmas Cat Craft Ideas and Patterns; and How to Make Cat Trees, Beds, and Scratch Posts
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
Comments