Knitting Cats for Portland Kids: A Scarf & A Toy

CAT WRAP is the title of this very pink kid scarf from Morehouse Farm--a kit including the two yello pieces of felt for the eyes.  Knit for Zoe in Portland and finished there, I've only seen it on Rachel, her Mom, who humored me by modeling for this photo.

Because she likes cats--and there is a new one in her home--this seemed good idea.  However, what I should knit or craft for her is a large change purse.  Probably experienced grandmas like M.E., blogs at Xtreme English, could have told me that 2-year-olds get more from emptying change and returning coins than trying on knit things.

Knitting this involved an odd process for the striped body:  two weights of yarn, alternating #13 needles (for merino bulky) with #6 worsted) every 2 rows!  Leftover purple yarn worked well for suggested hat.  (Morehouse used world's briefest instructions...pet peeve with yarn outfits that abbreviate text to get everything on one page).

Ron knit the hat, for ribbing used yarn he'd brought along for his ongoing hat obsession...more later.   Synchronicity, that pretty stuff came from the 2005 Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival--small size, homey event.  We met the sheep's owner and the sheep whose fleece produced the roving Ron would spin.  That was a September visit for Zoe's birth.

"Hattie" is the name Zach gave his new knit kitty, a name evocative of the old South for me, completely outside my known sphere till I "met" the resident at Mother Pie.

Before we left New York, I saw this free pattern online at Knitting Daily.  Found gray Australian yarn in my stash, "Superfine 8-ply Crepe Supersoft," is on label.  Directions were good, #5 needles, unknown dark yarn for stripes.  Chose red for nose, mouth, whiskers to brighten it up, pink for inside ears. 

Zach was pleased, brought it along to his overnight with us.  It's in his suitcase, along with very special "Piglet."  The white paper shopping bag holds his crayon collection, a couple of books.

And here is the enormously patient "Sparky," who seems comfortable with much picking up and other close encounters from Zoe and Zach.

 

Comments

[sahara]

I love small children; they find the minutae that we overlook so fascinating. It's so new to them. Coins! Wow! I like the sound they make!

Portland seems like an interesting city; I'd like to visit sometime.

[donna]

OMG, those are soooo cute!

I have my golden retriever Darwin painted on a scarf I made - wish I could knit so I could knit a Darwin!

[M.E.]

Wow. Lots of lovely FO's!! I especially like Hattie.

Portland sounds like all the good parts of Minneapolis.