Best in Show: Knit Your Own Cat

The patterns in this book are marvellous and the photographs charming; really it's a book that's worth owning for the pictures alone. As far as actually knitting the cats goes, the patterns are fairly clear, though the explanations of techniques in the back could have benefitted from some illustrations, and they produce much better toys/models than most other books I've seen, but be advised, if you don't know how to wrap and turn or pick up stitches, you won't be able to knit the cats. Fortunately there are a lot of good instructional videos on YouTube (knitpicks videos are particularly helpful, I find), so this rusty knitter was able to brush up her skills and have fun.In terms of equipment, the patterns call for needles of 2.75mm, both ordinary and double-pointed, and use 4-ply wool - though of course, you can still follow the patterns using different materials if you want to. You're also advised to use pipe cleaners to shape the legs and tail, unless it's a gift for a small child.If you're just starting out you should probably begin with something easier, but if you're experienced or ready to hone your techniques, this book is lovely.--Thought I'd come back and add to this review having had some more practice with the book. The more I use it, the better I like it. Having had some practice with the basic techniques of wrap and turn and picking up stitches (though there are some patterns where you only need to do the former), I'm finding the patterns are quite straightforward. Having said it's not for beginners in my original title, I now think that if a beginner can teach themselves a few basics, it's actually a very good book to start with: the patterns are very well laid out and the whole book is easy on the eyes, the cats are quick to knit and rewarding. I've used it as a jumping-board, and now my knitting's a lot more advanced.The making up can be a bit of a fiddle and if you don't do it very carefully the cats can come out wry-necked or twisty-legged, and the 'standing up' cats tend to get a bit melty-legged if you don't stuff and pipe-cleaner them very thoroughly, so I've tended to stick to the sitting and lying-down cats. There's one particularly good pattern near the end for a lying-down but not curled up tabby (pp 130-133), and if I have a complaint it's that, while the authors offer a lot of variations on the standing-up, sitting-up and curled-up cats, they only offer the one pattern for the short-haired lying-down one, and as it's one of the most attractive patterns in the book, as well as one of the most stable once it's made up and sitting on your shelf or desk, that's a real pity. I'd really like it if they'd offered more variations on that theme.But that said, it's an extremely good knitting book. I've made a lot of cats as gifts for people since getting it, and they've been received with universal excitement, and now my friends are all impressed with me!

I love this series of Best in Show knitting pattern books. There are several distinctive cat breeds, I especially like the look of the Siamese. I highly recommend all these pattern books. I have 2 dog breed books (5 made so far), and the farm animal one as well as the cat book. Plenty to keep me busy during lockdown!

As a lover of cats but a very rusty knitter (who had only ever mastered the basics) I can triumphantly report that my first cat has been completed successfully and really doesn't look too bad, if a little long necked. I reckon if I can produce a cat that actually looks like one from the instructions then anyone can.The book itself is charming and the patterns seem to me to be reasonably easy to follow. I would agree with previous reviewers that clearer instructions/illustrations could have been included in regard to various methods such as "wrap and turn" but there are many excellent videos out there that cover these very clearly which should see you through.If anything it is the sewing up and the stuffing that is more time consuming and difficult, especially the fitting of the "tummy" section which has resulted in a sitting cat with slightly saggy front legs that are a bit, well, wonky. I think that it is this sort of thing that gives your cat its own unique personality so I am looking forward to my next attempt at a standy up on all four legs one which with a bit of luck will not keel over.Oh yes, the french knots for the eyes- don't bother even attempting to master this, far too fiddly, I just hand knotted a length of yarn and sewed it in which looks just the same.Overall, a really nicely produced book which would make a lovely present for a cat loving knitter and I would have given it five stars if only there had been a few more illustrations of techniques used.

I liked this little book because it combined a touch of 'wackyness' with an element of reality. The cats featured were easy to knit, though a little bit fiddly at times. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knitting, whether advanced or beginner, and to anyone who likes cats and wants a hobby!

My mother saw these cats in a magazine article ages ago and on recently rediscovering the clipping asked if I'd get her the book. Delighted to find a used copy and thrilled by the condition - really indistinguishable from new.Patterns are fun though some not suitable for children as the tails are wired.

I have to admit that I purchased this, and other amazing knitting books of the same ilk, for a friend in Canada. She is able to to knit and stuff so that the finished item does resemble the pictures ... something I could never achieve. It makes a super gift and the knitted animals brings a smile to lots of faces. A brilliant book!

Love this knitting pattern book.

Not sure I like all the cats but I have yet to make any. The patterns however are clearly written and a good layout throughout with pictures

Here kitty kitty!! Almost every cat covered in this book. Totally worth getting if you are a cat person or not.

I am a cat lover from way back and these are VERY cute. Tho' we are not necessarily talking easy to do. Some are, some aren't (sort of depends on the hairiness of the cat breed) and some of the faces are "off". You might want to consider doing much different eyes, but the bodies are pretty good.

These are probably the most realistic cat patterns I've encountered. If you like Alan Dart, you'll love these. The photos make the cats jump off the page, and make me want to drop everything and make every one in the book.

Very cute book! I like the examples and patterns, although I'm not sure I will actually make one. Some are fairly complicated.

fun to knit