Yep. I have caught the cat knitting bug. It’s kind of a problem that I have; as I knit a project I dream of ways to improve it, new colors that I could use, and different yarns that might work better. More than once I have finished up a sweater or shawl just chomping at the bit to cast on another one to see what it would look like with my new ideas. Too much curiosity, but I just can’t help myself. I have to see the new version.
By the time I was finishing up knitting my son’s cat Daxter I has already made plans to make two more cats, and there is probably a couple more in the works, too. Must have more cats!! The most obvious next cat to knit is MacKenzie.
Cat, the pattern by Claire Garland, uses several yarns stranded together to create the multi-colored furry cat. I needed 2 mohairs and another yarn at all times while knitting the cat; different effects are created by changing one or more yarns as you move from section to section of the cat. I realized that I could create tabby stripes with fourth mohair as I knitted the body of the cat due to the construction techniques. I started collecting yarns for the Knitting MacKenzie project while I was still stitching Daxter. I found a rich cedar mohair. I found some black and cream. I began to search for yarn online and made multiple trips to the yarn store.
Whew! Late in the week I began to swatch all types of yarn combinations so I could get a feel for how they would look together and planned where to place them on the cat while I knit it. Last night I finally cast on and began knitting MacKenzie. My project notes are here, but right now there’s not much there other than a listing of the yarns.
As soon as I get above the ears the black mohair jumps in and I can begin the black ridge down MacKenzie’s back. Then there will be stripes. This is fun.
Stay tuned. There is more to come. 🙂
MacKenzie: Can I have some cookies now?
Yarn, Books & Roses 
Epic project for sure!! MacKenzie is so handsome. It’s going to be hard to duplicate that beauty.
This is amazing!!! Can’t wait to see the finished product
It’s a lot of fun. I have yarn to knit the new yellow kitten, too. There is a tuxedo Maine Coon that is going to be harder… all that fur!
How amazing! Can’t wait to see the finished MacKenzie. Have already added the pattern to my ever-growing Ravelry cart.
I just pruned down my cart, but there are still 150 patterns in there… The designer just created a kitten pattern too!!
I’m looking forward to seeing MacKenzie being finished and seeing what he thinks about his twin. Having just watched Dracula and now Re-Reading the book I can’t help but smile at MacKenzie’s fangs out pose.
He does look a little scary, doesn’t he? 🙂 I’m going to work on the cat this week so I can show off my progress next Saturday. I’m ready to start adding black mohair…
Can’t wait to see your knitted MacKenzie! You found some great yarns for his colors! He is such a handsome boy, and you do such a great job with your projects 🙂 Have you looked at any Ancient Arts yarns? They have a line of cat colored yarns that may be helpful for this project 🙂
How did I never notice MacKenzie’s wonderful long canines before?! He is SUCH a handsome boy. Can’t wait to see his knitted doppelganger!!