Most knitting patterns assume the finished garment will survive. At Yarn Ball Emporium we know better. We have therefore collected seven designs that look wonderful while they last and unpick beautifully when the cat arrives.
1. The Single Strand Cardigan
A cardigan knitted from one continuous strand, with no joins. It is warm and soft. It is also removable from the end, in one pull, as a single line. The cat takes the end. The cardigan becomes a path. Many knitters report this as ‘oddly satisfying’.
2. The Loose Loop Hat
A loose, relaxed hat with generous loops that hang at the edges. The loops are decorative. They are also handles. The cat uses them to unpick the hat while it is still on your head, which is a technique you will learn to enjoy.
3. The Dangling Tassel Cushion
A cushion with eighty tassels, each of which is a toy. Do not use this pattern if you want the cushion to remain a cushion. Use it if you want a cushion that becomes a surprisingly interactive sculpture.
4. The Over Sized Sock
A sock of enormous length, perfect for a cat to lie inside. The sock is knitted in a spiral, so it can be unwound in a spiral, which the cat greatly prefers.
5. The Chunky Blanket of Many Holes
A blanket with a loose lacy structure. It looks airy and romantic. A cat will see each hole as a doorway. Over time, the blanket becomes a series of doorways, with a lot of cat in them.
6. The Draught Excluder Snake
A long fabric snake filled with beans. It has two jobs: to stop draughts and to be attacked. It does the second job better. We do not recommend it for houses with drafts.
7. The Cosy for Everything
A cover for a teapot, a mug, a phone or a lamp. The cat will remove it in seconds, put it in a different room and leave it there for a week. We call this The Relocation.
How to choose
If you want to knit something that will last, we recommend a dense stitch and a tight gauge. If you want to knit something that will be enjoyed, we recommend any of the above, and a good supply of wool.
Skein asked us to add: ‘Everything is a pattern, if you look at it from the floor.’ We are not sure what he meant, but we found it moving.