Introducing Ms. Kitty
On Monday, when I wrote about the joys of handmade toys, I had no intention of actually knitting one of the little cuddlies
whose pattern I was offering to all of you. I thought, what a cute
pattern...but I have Serious Knitting Projects to work on, so no chance
of me casting on for one of these guys. No way. I have sweaters to
knit, and a scarf for orphans, and socks for a friend. I did not need
another project on my needles. And I certainly did not need another
stuffed animal in my life, as my bedroom shelves are filled with the
little beasties.
But here it is Wednesday, and here I am putting the finishing
touches on...a knitted cat. I don't know what happened. I was fine
until I got home last night, and then...what? How did I end up knitting
this darn cat? And why aren't I writing the post I had all planned out
yesterday afternoon about Serious Knitting Things?
Because last night, I finally faced the fact that the little pewter
urn on my table held the ashes of my beloved fifteen-year-old kitty
Amber, whom we had had to put to sleep two weeks ago. I looked at that
little jar, thought of my sweet-and-spicy little green-eyed calico, and
felt compelled to Knit Something Right Then And There---not just any
Something, but A Something that would express the joy of having Amber
in my life, and my grief at her sudden passing.
Amber "Pinknose" Wiseheart
So
I knitted a cat. Totally on impulse, all in one night. She's a purple
kitty, perhaps as a nod to my childhood Cowie (who despite my best
search-and-rescue efforts, remains hidden in the basement, no doubt
still giggling, despite all of your pleas for him to come out and have
his picture taken).
I brought the pieces to work with me today, and have been stuffing
and seaming them on breaks. I stopped by the local bead store at lunch
to try and find the perfect shade of green crystals to use as eyes, and
I found some little amber beads, as well as a heart with the OM symbol
on it, and a charm that has a pawprint on it, all of which I'm slowly
incorporating into Ms. Kitty. As I sewed her body closed, I added a
handful of a sage/cedar/lavendar mix and a pink polymer clay heart bead
I had made, one with a sparkling crystal in the middle.
Now here's the fascinating thing: Ms. Kitty seems to be a magnet for
my coworkers. Everyone who stops by my cubicle picks her up, asks what
yarn she's made of (Tahki Bunny,
which was the softest purple yarn I could find at home), and, before
setting her down again, each person without fail gives her a little pat
or a little hug.
I did not intend to knit a cat. Rather, I think that this purple
kitty has in fact knitted me, knitted me back together a bit after a
loss of a small being with a very large and courageous heart.
Sometimes we knit. And sometimes our knitting knits us.
Several of you mentioned you were knitting for new tiny family
members...We have a really beautiful book of adorable patterns for both
Mom and Baby: Natural Knits for Babies and Moms: Beautiful Designs Using Organic Yarns by Louisa Harding. The free pattern this week, Knitted Cuddlies pattern is excerpted with permission from this very wonderful book.
Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.
What's on Sandi's needles? Photo coming soon of the finished Bonsai Tunic by Norah Gaughan. New to the needles:
Swatching for a Sandi-sized version of the Corset Pullover! Plus, about
6 inches' worth of cables for a new design coming soon to Knitting Daily.
Someone asked if this was the ONLY thing on my needles...you caught me!
I am the Unfinished Objects Fairy, spreading my little stardust magic
over as much casting-on and as many needle sets as possible.