Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

KellyA — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:17:15 GMT

I love the idea that sometimes our knitting knits us and of knitting a toy full of fond memories of a pink-nosed, green-eyed kitten.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

LoisM — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:23:06 GMT

What a touching story!

Pets are such beautiful additions to our lives. It is dreadfully difficult when they pass away.

I am pleased that your knitting brought you comfort.

Sending you a big hug -- from one pet lover to another.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

Mmculver — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:31:50 GMT

I love knitted and crocheted toys. But when I lost my precious chocolate-point siamese at 17 years of age, I started making small cat blankets and donated them to the local vet hospital to give with every kitten and cat they found a forever home for. The first day, after putting two blankets in with two kittens, to my surprise when I turned around, the little calico had scrunched and curled up on the one with aqua and peach granny squares surrounded by white. I made 75 of them before moving out of the area. I'll get busy again soon when I find the box with yarn amongst all the unpacked boxes in the garage.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

L.R.Cote — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:12:45 GMT

What a wonderful way to honor your late owner! I was once owned by a jet black siamese mix named Mandu. She loved hand-knit sweaters! Two weeks after we lost her (she lived to a ripe-old age of 19!) I knitted my first white sweater; I call it my Mandu-fluff sweater, and my family knows just which one I'm talking about.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

MariaK@2 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:16:11 GMT

Sandi, I just read your Ms. Kitty post. I now have six cats as my "Otis" (17+ yrs) passed away on 08/18 and I picked-up his ashes this past Monday. I then proceeded to crochet a teddy bear hat for a niece, even though I have a ton of scarfs to make before 11/11 for a fundraiser. I have a knitted kitty my grandmother made for me many years ago and these reminded me of her. She and my mother (both dec'd) taught me needlework; I read somewhere that these skills and our creations are legacies of love. Maria

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

SharonA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:05:36 GMT

Sandi - and all others who have been owned by a cat - thank you for the wonderful memories. So sorry to hear of Amber's departure for the Rainbow Bridge, but remember, she will be there waiting for you. The first of our 3 furkids joined us when our daughter was 6. Tommie was smart - before he was a year old he had sorted out Jen's 9PM bedtime, and would sit at her feet until she gave up and went to bed - we never had to tell her. When she went to college, he was lost for a bit, then took control of my late-night sewing, making sure that I was never up past 1 AM. She was 21 and on her own when he developed a tumor, but was home the weekend before he left us. Holding him while his friend the vet helped end his suffering was without a doubt the absolute hardest thing ever in my life. That was 6 years ago, and remembering still makes me cry. His lovely inlaid box sat on the living room windowsill until we sold our house last year, at which time he went with Jen to her new home. While the neighborhood is different, he still has the place of honor on the living room windowsill, in the sun.
Since then one of his housemates has joined him, but the last of the mouseketeers is still with us. Spock, our beloved Maine Coon, was just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and is scheduled for radioactive iodine treatment next month. She is 13, and with this treatment will be able to stay with us for a long while yet. She isn't all that excited about the prospect of living part-time in the RV... No matter, her place in our bed is assured, and we have agreed to maintain a single-cat home for as long as she is with us.
Amazing how we allow ourselves to be totally dominated by these creatures.
Apologies for the lack of brevity - now I need to find my kitty and give her a big hug.
Best to all - Sharon

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

KateV — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:58:38 GMT

Oh Sandi, thank you! Now I know just how to help with missing my little cat, Poulet. And the special touches you added make it so warm and personal. Bless your lovely Amber, and you, Sandi for sharing...Kate

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

MarshaM — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:41:24 GMT

I too recently lost a furry companion, our beloved orange and white tabby George disappeared from our lives after 9 wonderful years. Our nest was too empty without him so we brought home Bob the bob-tailed orange cat from the animal shelter. Now I'm headed to my yarn stash to find the perfect yarn to honor our lost friend in knitted form. Thanks for your sharing your story and I'm sorry for your loss.
Marsha M

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

Cinders — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:56:57 GMT

I really feel for your loss Sandy. What a great idea to knit a commemorative kitty.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

TinaB — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:53:23 GMT

I HAVE A COW PATTERN! -- for the reader who was looking for one!
I am at the tail-end of knitting a pig right now--for a daughter who is much too old for a stuffed pig! But it is from a Debbie Bliss 1993 book called "Kids' Country Knits." The book is still available on Amazon. Debbie offers some cute sweaters, as well as patterns for sheep, cows, pigs--in two sizes (hand held and big enough to cuddle!)-- some little hens, and even animal booties (pigs, ducks, and bunnies!) I have also knitted the sheep from the book-- his name is Ramses and he has been much loved for over 10 years by my older daughter. Happy Knitting to all! Tina

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

mazamet — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 11:29:56 GMT

My mother knitted baby booties for me in 1941, frogging the fine, hand-knitted gloves she received from her mother for her 18th birthday in 1933. I used them for my two daughters. The booties are very worn now, so I carefully undid them and knitted them again in the same pattern and with the very wool, adding another very fine yarn for renewed durability. This time they are for my first grandchild. It is just a pair of booties - but they carry more memories and and meaning than most things in life. That is why I love knitting. Laura

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

KarenL — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 07:44:09 GMT

Immediately, I recognized the furry friends from Louisa Harding's book. I have the book, and have made many items from it. Just want to let everyone know that it is a fantastic book, clever patterns without being ultra-trendy. The patterns are well written and fun to knit.

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

CarolS — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:58:03 GMT

to add...I have a cat - Fred, a true joy and lovely companion. I'm sure he and Ms Kitty would have had a blast together! Sorry for your loss, but happy for all the wonderful memories you have...Cheers, Carol

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

CarolS — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:53:43 GMT

I knit because I breathe and I breathe because I knit...
I have come back to it after years away, and I am so very glad.
I will admit I have a number of different projects going on, but that's how I like it...it's a fun way to have knitting diversity in my life - one day I'll work on an aphgan, the next day a scarf...and after the major end-of-the-year holidays, I want to learn to knit socks!!
Thanks to Knitting Daily for being here, and for all the great inspiration.
Peace, Carol

re: Knitting A Salve for the Heart: The Tale of Ms. Kitty

JaneM@2 — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:40:08 GMT

A little slow on the uptake here, but when I first received Wednesday's post it was 8 pm (EST) and having just put the kids to bed, thought I'd just skim for pictures. I'm not a cat person (very allergic), so when I saw Ms. Kitty and the picture of your beautiful Amber, I thought, "Oh, maybe if it were a dog..." It's Friday now, and after reading today's post, I just had to read Wednesday's. (I do read them all, eventually!) OK, Sandi, now I am weeping. Your piece is so touching and you did get it right: knitting sometimes knits us. My sincere condolences.
-Jane