Working on this new pattern on and off over the last year has been an exciting and slightly novel thing for me. It’s the first time I’ve made a pattern from scratch with the intention of it being a pattern, if you see what I mean. All of the other animal patterns have come about because I wanted to knit them as finished items rather than with the original intention of sharing them in pattern form and so for most of them I had years of tweaking and lots of knittings before arriving at the final patterns.
This time I started off with a basic idea sketched out and then knitted up some trial runs (the earliest of which did not go well). But I’ve persevered and after lots of rejected test samples I arrived at one that I was pretty happy with. Then it was just down to playing around with ear placement, head length, tail tip and a few more little bits of fiddling and tweaking. Anyway, I’m satisfied enough to now release the patterns, so here is my little cat boy and girl, both clad in plaid 🙂
It was hard to decide exactly what sort of cat should be in the pattern – after all there are so many different breeds, from refined pure-bred Persians to lowly but loveable moggies. So because I couldn’t decide I’ve included in the pattern 4 extra head designs which are interchangeable, so you can make either a plain coloured cat, or a cat with a white blaze, a cat with an eye patch, a Siamese cat or a tabby. There are little bits that you can combine from these different designs to make your own unique looking cat, a bit like a selection box (sorry I couldn’t resist taking this photo – hope it’s not too creepy!)
Here are some of the heads I’ve made so far from the pattern (all instructions and details of yarns used for these are included with both patterns)…
As usual with a new pattern release I’m on tenterhooks, waiting for the first projects to appear on Ravelry. It’s so exciting to see what other people have made from the patterns so please come and add yours to the group if you give any of the patterns a try.
The new patterns are now live on both Ravelry and Etsy . I so hope that if you give any of them a go you have fun knitting from them x
little cotton rabbits 
What a lovely collection of pussy cats, and I don’t think it’s at all creepy to have a selection box of interchangeable heads, actually I think it’s pretty ingenious and much better for the waistline too.
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OMG!!!!!!!! I actually feel like a child at Christmas…best sunday morning for ages!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually love you Julie xxx
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THEY WANTED A CAT YOU HAVE GIVE THEM A CAT THEY ARE SO LOVELY WE HAVE 6 CATS.
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Oh my goodness, they are adorable! Love the selection box 🙂
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I can hardly wait to make these little guys! Such a lovely surprise! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
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What a surprise to see a cat pattern, I really thought that your bear would be the next release. As a cat lover it’s just perfect. I’ve already bought both patterns:-)
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They are so cute. Happy to add them to my collection of patterns, although my projects are all on hold as I have just heard that we are expecting triplet grandchildren, which has been a huge, but wonderful, surprise. So it is all about tiny baby jackipets and hats at the moment but imagining making different variations of your little creatures for them soon. The trouble is I love them all. Thank you xx
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You have been very busy. I love them all as I have 3 cats so I could knit them to suit those. I always love your animals that you make, they have so much character!
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They’re so cute! I love your siamese one 🙂
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Julie – I am in awe ! You are so, so clever. Your cats are just purrrfect ( sorry ) and I adore the little Burmeses – the dark grey one is just like our little cat Itsy-Bitsy . Kate xx
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Absolutely adorable! I just bought the pattern!
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Thank you Julie. Once again you have come up trumps. Keep up the good work 🌼🌼
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OMG OMG OMG!!! They are just adorable Julie. I love them , being a cat person I am off to buy them and get knitting – I am going to make sooo many of these! xxBrenda
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I actually squeaked when I saw this in my newsfeed! They’re adorable, and I can’t wait to get started. Thanks for including all the different varieties!
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Looking forward to giving this one a try . . . will be checking Ravelry for the download after church today! I’ll do a solid first and then that darling grey stripy little fellow. Iove the photo of the kitty’s in muffin cups! Thank you, Julie.
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They are so adorably cute! I am off to buy the pattern to knit one for my daughter! Was just about to go to bed but decided to check out ravelry for five minutes, so pleased I did! My daughter will love it. I just hope that I can knit mine half as good as yours turn out. Your animals are all so beautifully made!
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Gorgeous! I want them all!!!! xxx
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You are so talented! Keep designing. 🙂
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What a lot of hard work. They are just lovely thank so much
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I think cats are the hardest thing in the world to draw or make – so tricky to get the faces right so well done! They are lovely. One day, when all of the practical requests for school mittens and cardigans and so on are done then maybe I will make the kids a cat (I am not an especial cat lover so they know they have no chance of getting a real one!) Hope pattern sales go well for you.
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This has made my day! Thank you for making a kitty pattern. I can’t wait to get it on the needles.
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So glad your creative energy is in full force. I’ve been looking for a cat, and the only decent one i found is way too big to be cute. Thank you so much. You make knitting fun and now that i am familiar with your directions, each project is pure relaxed enjoyment. I hope you will keep adding on- there are just no other lovey animals as cute and huggable as yours, Julie. Have you ever considered a dragon or maybe a hippo? just wondering. I’ve got this cat to keep me busy for a while. thank you again and again
me
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Awe Julie they are amazing and I love the cat cupcakes! 🙂
With the number of cat lovers there are I think this will be a very popular pattern.
Right off to add them to my collection.
V x
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They are very cute, and I applaud your hard work. I kept looking at the various cats, knowing something was missing – ah, whiskers! Whiskers are so much of the facial expression of a cat. Now I’m considering how whiskers could be added.
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Thank you for the cats being a cat person myself. Off to get the pattern and raid the stash. I was wondering what I would take to knit group today, you made my choice easy now.
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aaaww! wish it was crochet
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JULIE!!!! And here I thought you were too busy and then you produce a masterpiece!! I love the cats but I also love the plaid!!! Perfect kick off to inspire my summer! Thank you soooooo much.
Your fan, Lori from Port Perry!
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These are adorable! I will be knitting one for my granddaughter!
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What a fantastic surprise! Not just a new pattern, but an entirely new Little Cotton Rabbits animal in the family! Great work, yet again!
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Oh my goodness, how sweet. I wish I could knit. I think the spotted-eye cats are my favorite but I really love all of them. Beautiful work.
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Oh my gosh! These are soooooo cute! You amaze me with your talent and skill. Congratulations!
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I just bought your cat pattern along with some others. I have made the bunny girl and loved the pattern, it is very thorough. Everyone who sees the bunny girl loves it too. I’m going to start my cat today. Thank you for sharing your talent and hard work.
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OH. MY. GOODNESS. CATS!!
they are gorgeous – you’re so clever!
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Clever,CLEVER Julie! I am going to get this and make one for my mums birthday – she would love a cat but isn’t allowed one where she lives and you have just fixed that! Thank you soooo much, you are amazing! Love Susan x
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Another beautiful set of patterns Julie.
Can’t wait to start them.
Thank you.
Love Denise x
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So adorable!
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The heads in the bun trays is hilarious but such a great way to showcase them. Been and bought my lil girl pattern
Jo xxx
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Couldn’t be sweeter! Love the muffin heads.
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Purchase made! Needles at the ready …
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Oh, m u s t p u r c h a s e!
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Oh. My. Goodness Julie you are a genius ….. they make me want to weep! Darling!
Lots of love, Jooles x x x
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Wow, I very much like your new pattern. The cats look very lovely. How nice that you made several variations.
Greetings from Holland,
Juffrouw Mier
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So, so adorable! Absolutely stunning collection!
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They are all adorable ! I wish I knew how to knit. Love your new pattern.
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adorable x
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Delightful moggies Julie – you are such a talented lady! X🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱
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Wonderful – cat cupcakes are fabulous – made me laugh out loud… You are so clever xx
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Adorable! You have a wonderful knack of giving them such expression, in their faces, and bodies.
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Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much. We have 3 kittys and I will be making a knitted replica of each x
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Oh! Oh! Oh! I’m beside myself. I can’t believe how cute these are. This is like waking up on Christmas morning or winning the lottery. I’ve made over 35 of your animals.(I’ve lost count) and I like each pattern better than e last. I teach them at a local knitting store, of course with each student required to purchase a pattern from you. Every student tells me how well written and easy to understand your patterns are. Thanks for another adorable pattern. I’ve bought them both already and have my needles and yarn out and I’m ready to start.
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Julie, you are a true ARTIST! Every one of those kitties is adorable. I love looking at everything you do and reading about Toby (so interesting) and other aspects of your life. Your photos are spectacular. It’s always a treat to see one of your blog posts.
Hugs, Kimmy
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Oh. My. Gosh. Julie! Those are just WAAAYYYY too cute! You’re so darn clever and I love that you’ve included so many different cats. You’re amazing!!!
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Julie, you are so talented! Your little knitted creatures are amazing!
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Gorgeous. Love the tray of cheeky little heads popping out.
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HI, I’ve been following your blog for quite a few years and your rabbits were amazing and so are these little kittens, your a very talented person if pattern available will be purchasing it. The details on all your makes are ace exquisite they are also cute and adorable. Thank you for sharing your makes. Jackie
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They’re just fabulous, and what a great idea to have them with different faces! Love them all – so glad I don’t have to choose just one! 🙂 xx
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Marvelous !
You have a great idea and you created a wonderful cat’s family.
So nice, so cute, so sweet …
I’m shure that kids love these kittens !
I’ll try to knit this sweet cat so soon.
BRAVO !
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Thank you thank you thank you! I’m so delighted that you have released the cat patterns. I’ve made several of your bunnies, and have committed myself to making new dresses for two of my bunny girls every month. But at heart I am a cat lady, so I foresee many little cats in my future.
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These little cats are beyond adorable! So very, very cute!
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They’re truly delightful!
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I just love the way you work…well organized. You are imaginative and what you knit is always done with the perfect touch!!
these are my words to say you are a real inspiration to me as you give me the taste to create and go with détails.
Miss xx
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OhMiGosh, Julie, you are a genius! A knitting genius! I have known this since I started following your blog years ago, but now it is here, for the world to see!! One of my kitties is sitting on the arm of the sofa leaning into me as I type–I know she approves too!
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oh my goodness, those kitties are absolutely perfect, I love the face details, you clearly put a lot of time and effort into every aspect of the pattern! I absolutely love them!
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They are sooooo cute….. purchased pattern, now hunting out knitting needles…. thank you
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They are gorgeous!!! I am sure that everyone who knits them will love them!!! On no other blog would a selection of body parts be acceptable, on yours though, it is wonderful!!! xx
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I have had a lot of pleasure from your patterns both in the making and giving as gifts, there was Poppy’s fox, Olivia’s mouse, Elsie’s bunny, currently making a boy and girl monkey, had to do two as for baby boy/girl’s arrival, and now I get to make two kitty’s for another anonymous arrival later in the year. Fantastic, thank you Julie for excellent patterns x x x
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You’ve outdone yourself once again! Those cats are darling! I giggled over the selection of heads.
My knitting has come to a stand still of late. I’m knitting a scarf for my ‘scarf kid’ who is leaving in September for a 2 year mission for our church. He’s going to Virginia, USA. I’ll have two boys gone on missions! Need to get back to knitting “scarf kid’s” scarf before he leaves. This summer is going by quickly. Probably a good thing since it is so stifling hot! And I’m knitting a scarf????
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Gorgeous design, the heads in the muffin tin made me chuckle. I will have to add this pattern to my ravelry queue.
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Very cute! Will add it to my collection….
Still waiting for the bear pattern!
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Arrgh! Cuteness overload – I want them all!
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Very cute Julie! Hope all is well with you and the family. Often think of you. Xx
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So cute! I may have found my next project! I’ve made a little bunny and also have the seasonal dresses already – do the seasonal dresses work with the cat?
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As a cat lover I have say THANK YOU. Your selection of cats are beautiful, we can all recreate a feline friend that looks just like our own purring family members.
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Damn but they are cute! I’m definitely going to have to try my hand at those – huge thankyou for the pattern. 🙂
ps the selection box looks distinctly ….. unique. :-0
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Your kitties are just lovely. Thanks for sharing all those sweet heads. 🙂 I just started knitting this month and while I have a baby sweater on my needles right now, I am hoping sometimes soon (once I work up the courage and skills) to try one of your creations. Love them!
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these kitty cupcakes are wonderful and reminiscent of the “guess who” game my daughter had as a child,can’t wait to see them fully completed.
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OMG Julie, You have made my day :)to see these amazingly, beautiful Kitty cats …. I so love the selection box hehe such fun… and I am just off to buy the patterns now … you are one very talented lady and thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creations with us all 🙂 have a lovely day xx
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Thank you for your creations; just one question, the animals are cute but I just love knitting their little clothes and love the exquisite patterns you make, is that odd? The cats will be an addition to the menagerie I pretend to be knitting for my granddaughter and maybe she’ll get them………maybe 😸
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You have the touch and talent for heartwarming shapes and designs. I salute you! As someone who’s very active in cat welfare and adamant about sterilisation, FINALLY I truely can say “the more the merrier!”
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Lovely!
Dawn
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Cute! All the cat lovers in the world will be very happy and I sure this pattern will make you a millionaire!
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I am in LOVE with these! You are just amazing and so talented.
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Oh my gosh, these are just so adorable and what a genius idea to show the heads in the muffin tray. Clever, clever, clever. So glad you persevered, totally worth it. Congratulations. Adorable, can imagine that many people will be making these.
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On a previous project, I ran 3 pieces of yarn through the nose area where the whiskers would be, and then unraveled the yarn, or rather pulled the strands apart.seemed to work well.
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As with everything you do, they are absolutely adorable! Just adorable.
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I can only echo what the other commenters have posted: Lovely, adorable, little treasures. Be prepared to knit up a huge litter!
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Oh, I see they’re kits! Even better — 🙂
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Must purchase and add kitty patterns to my three-ringed notebook dedicated to just your work! Grand daughter obsessed with cats will love these! I love your work and try hard to come close to the perfection of what you do! Thank you! Christie
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You are so talented! they look amazing!
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Adorable with capital “A”. Over the top cuteness! Off the chart sweet kitties. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe your creations. They’re always a cut above all other animal patterns.
In response to your previous post about finding out about the 7th sense…what advances are being made every day in the scientific study of genetics. It was recently on one of our national networks that they are now able to eradicate certain stains of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s (early onset) some forms of Autism, and more diseases/conditions that I can’t recall. All through genetics, removing the genes carrying the abnormal mutation, which remove the mutation and keeping the normal genes so these conditions/diseases are not passed on to future generations. All this won’t happen in my lifetime but hopefully in the future these will be unknown conditions. Amazing. I didn’t know there was a 7th sense! Always something new to learn about the brain & genetics.
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This is definitely the best blog for knitted animals I have ever seen! You are the smartest creator, and no one can beat you, you are the queen… After reading about your painful arms, I dared not come here and thought it would be very long before you would be able to show new creations again, so I am really admirative of your beautiful (and hard!) work! ♥ Anne
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These cats leave me speechless. You are without a doubt the greatest knitter on the planet.
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I have to say you really caught me by surprise on this one. I am searching for pictures of CUPCAKES, REAL CUPCAKES decorated as kittens playing in a ball of yarn. A large full screen opens with dozens of pictures and I’m half paying attention as so many are cakes, not cupcakes. All of a sudden I see a full standard muffin tin full of kitten “cupcakes”. I notice the “texture” seems different, more like real fur so I follow the site mostly to ask, “how did you achieve the texture in your fondant or frosting?” Well I know now how you achieved it, you knitted it. This is probably only one of a dozen or so times in my ENTIRE life, getting far too close to 60 for my comfort that I have wished I could knit. My family tried teaching me to do all sorts of things with sewing needles and related skills and when I say people have laughed at my results, should that tell you? I WAS hoping then perhaps this was a project using socks or something along that line because at times I can manage various crafts but with this involving actual knitting and even a 100 times worse, following a pattern, it is so far out of my league its in outer space. While I can hold my own in the kitchen pretty darn well, unless I’m hemming trousers, sewing on buttons, sewing straight seams or some basic handsewing, I’m out of luck. My major problem, knowing how to put individual pieces of a pattern together. I can do everything from pinning patterns, EVEN following correctly direction of fabric, having or not having folds, cutting the pattern out, everything. I can sew straight edges. But tell me to take those pieces and put together a blouse or so forth, I’ll be in tears. So I know even if someone did teach me to knit I probably couldn’t follow this pattern to get these kittens. But if you want them edible, THAT I can do. Good luck with all your kitties. I WISH I knew someone who knitted like this, I’d get the pattern for them to make some for me and give as gifts. I’m working on baked items for my niece’s birthday in about 10 days. She’s a true cat lover and while I usually do an undecorated cake for our immediate family’s birthdays unless their milestones (as in her dad’s 50th in 2016 and my dad’s this year for his 80th, (two days before her dad’s birthday. Everyone in our family has a birthday within 1 to 2 days of someone else’s in the family, on another family event, or a holiday. For some reason it seems no one can ever have just their birthday alone.) I don’t usually decorate. But as she wants money for gifts I thought these cupcakes would be cute for her to take to her classes in veterinary college. I may use the fur designs of some of your kitties on my cupcakes though. Hope lots of fuzzy snuggly kitties are knitted this winter.
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