Category: Cats

Testing crochet stitches

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft

I really like to make swatches, which probably puts me in the minority of crocheters and knitters. I like to see how different stitches, yarn, and needle sizes affect the overall fabric. This test involves polyester cord. I want to make more hammocks in the catio, and polyester is more UV resistant than other man-made fibers and even natural fibers, and is mildew resistant. I have made hammocks using outdoor fabric, but they retain water for quite some time after the rain. I’m hoping a crocheted hammock will let the rain pass through and dry quicker. I had some left over polyester macrame cord and did two test swatches, one with a simple single crochet repeat (American terminology), and one with alternating single crochet, chain one, repeats.

Photo description: two small rectangles of crocheted cloth, on the left a single crochet pattern, on the right a single crochet, chain one pattern. K sized crochet hook above the swatches.

Even though I really like the texture and look of the single crochet and chain one fabric, the holes are a little bigger than I think the cats will like when weight is applied. The holes are about toe bean sized, which seems uncomfortable. I do like that this cord has some shape memory, and retains a curve when stretched.

Next for a full-sized version.

Buddies

On By CarynIn Cats, dog
Photo description: 15 pound gray tabby cat walking next to a 20 pound black dog

I’ve been trying to get a picture of Thor the cat next to Missy the dog for some time. They are buddies, but when they are near each other it is always on the move, so my pictures are blurry. They are opposites in morphology; Thor is sleek and liquid, and Missy is a solid mass under extreme tension. I think it is cute they are nearly the same size. I really get a giggle when Thor ambushes Missy on her way to bed.

Really, he fits

On By CarynIn Cats
Photo description: Gray tabby (15 pounds) sitting in front of two open cat carriers

Our two female cats had their vet visits, and since Thor the cat’s visit is coming up, I wanted to make sure he would fit in our current carriers. I was not hopeful, but I poked him in one and he was able to turn around and come out, which is one of the criteria to show the carrier is big enough. The crates are rated to 20 pounds, which has to be liquid cat measurements, because there is no humane way our stiff, dense, 20-pound dog would fit.

Photo description: Gray tabby inside, filling up a cat carrier, photo credit to my eldest

Later, my eldest was in the right position to snap a picture when Thor crawled into the carrier on his own, turned around, and laid down. Yay.

He said no

On By CarynIn Cats

After replacing his collar four times, I found out how Thor the cat was breaking the buckle: with his teeth. Rather than risk a broken tooth, I am letting him go collarless. He is chipped, so if he freaks and escapes, there is that. He looked so handsome with his black collar, sigh.

Photo description: gray tabby with white face and chest laying on a gray fuzzy blanket with a black collar laying on the blanket in front of him.

I’m sure the collar was interfering in his regular baths. He is a very fastidious cat.