A toy for the Cat, and a good project for beginners about to embark on socks

My Cat’s favorite toys have always been catnip pillows–simple squares are fine with him. Knitting a catnip toy with some leftover sock yarn seemed a good way to take a break after 15 pairs of socks in a row.

Figuring out my method as I went along, I realized it would make a great project for a knitter approaching her first socks: you get practice on double-pointed needles, and you learn the Kitchener stitch you’ll use to graft the toes of your socks.

If you need a demo of how to get stitches onto dpns, click here.

I cast on 28 stitches–you can vary the size any way you like. I was knitting 8 sts/inch. I wanted a tube that would be about 1-3/4″ wide when flat. I figured that was bite-size. Coolidge likes mouseules–small mouselike objects he can carry off. Larger toys intimidate him.

I divided the stitches among three needles, 9, 10, 9.

I knit the tube up about an inch, and then grafted the bottom opening, using the Kitchener stitch, which makes a good, tight, nearly invisible closure of an open knitted tube. You can graft the opening at any stage of the project.

You need two needles for the Kitchener stitch. If you have a set of 5 dpns, just finish a round on your tube, and you have a free needle, plus you have another needle. Terry Royea has a good demonstration of the Kitchener stitch here.

To graft closed the bottom of the tube, tie about a yard of yarn through a stitch at the cast-on edge. Pick up 28 stitches, starting with one of your free needles. It’s easiest if you pick up about 17, then slip 3 onto the second free needle. Now the circle will flex so you can pick up the rest of your stitches with the second needle. You want to have 14 stitches on each needle. Graft the opening. Now it’s done, and you don’t have to do it later.

I knit my tube to 4-1/4 inches, just because that looked like the right size for my Cat.

Once you’ve knitted your tube the desired length, distribute your stitches evenly onto two needles, ready for grafting. Don’t graft yet….

Next, sew a pouch slightly smaller than your knitted tube, using cotton or cheesecloth. Sew it together on three sides. Fill with catnip. Insert filled pouch into knitted tube, which is still on two needles. Stuff down out of your way, and use the Kitchener stitch to graft the opening closed.

Cheescloth pouch stuffed with catnip

Your Cat has a new toy and you have had fun making it and used up a bit of yarn. Maybe you’ve also mastered dpns and the Kitchener stitch as well, which really is all that’s likely new if you haven’t made socks before. If so, be strong, and take heart, and knit a pair of socks for your Cat to lounge against.

The particular challenge was grafting the catnip-stuffed toy closed while Coolidge was nosing around my tapestry needle.  The particular reward:  ecstasy.

Ecstasy