25 Ways to Make Your Knitting Better

I feel like I have seen this list of 25 tips that will improve your knitting from Knitting Om before, but I can’t see anywhere that I have shared it. It’s pretty good so I wanted to post it even if I have before.

It starts with things like choosing the right yarn and needles for a project and making a swatch (of course!). It also talks about reading your knitting, paying attention to what you’re doing, learning to fix mistakes and control your knitting more than you might already.

It suggests trying different knitting techniques (which is always a good idea, but you shouldn’t change your knitting style just because other people say it’s faster or better in some way), taking notes as you go, always finishing a row before you stop knitting for the day and taking your knitting with you, among other things.

I’d love to know which of these tips is your favorite and if you have any others to add.

[Photo via Knit Om.]

Next Pattern:

I have two cats, and I have always wanted to make them some kind of cat bed. But I also feel like they would completely ignore it, so I would be better off spending my knitting time on someone who I know will appreciate it (me). If you want to give it a try, though, here are some cute pet beds to knit for cats, small dogs, and maybe even some bigger dogs.

My favorite of the ones I came across in writing this post is the Capiti knit cave that looks like a cat. This one is from Ursule Knits, and from the pattern description it sounds like it is lightly felted by hand to make it stand up, so you need to use wool to make it. It calls for DK weight but I’m sure worsted would work, too.

The Maya Cat Cave is another cute cave-like project. Designed by Lavi V and using super bulky yarn, it’s like a purpose-made sack for your kitty to hang out in. It uses a metal ring (like you might use to make a dreamcatcher) to make the opening sturdy. You can find this one on Ravelry.

If you don’t want to be quite as literal as a cave, this pet bed nest from Monique Rae is another good choice. This one is flat on the bottom with short sides. It uses two strands of worsted weight yarn held together and comes in six sizes for a range of cats and dogs to be cozy in.

This circular cat bed knitting pattern from Ginger Purl is cute and easy to knit if you’re familiar with knitting flat circle. This one is striped, which is a great reminder that cats don’t care what color their bed is, so you might as well use leftover yarn on it.

I am a little skeptical that this pet bed that’s made with roving and arm knitting will look as good once an animal has seen it, but it is a cute and quick project (and you could just use it as a basket that kitty is allowed to get in rather than a dedicated space). The pattern is from Wools by Nicky and includes a video tutorial if you’re new to arm knitting.

If you’d rather knit a blanket for the dog or cat in your life, check out the Ziggy Zag Pet Blanket by Paws and Purls Knits. This pretty reversible blanket comes in five sizes for various pets, and if you make it in washable yarn it’s the perfect thing for your furry friend to cuddle with.

Or if you have a pet who will submit to a hood, I love this hooded pet blanket from Yarnspirations. Using Bernat Blanket yarn, it’s super cozy (and bright!) and pretty easy to knit as it’s all worked in one piece. The pattern only has one size but it’s just a rectangle with a hood so you could probably adjust it pretty easily for the size of your pet.

7 Knitting Patterns For Your Pet

Book Review: Knitting with Dog Hair

Knitting News: Knitting More than Your Bit, Knitting for Pets and More

Next Pattern:

Have you read?