Knit a Stack of Nesting Cats

I know I just shared a bunch of cat knitting patterns not all that long ago, but I saw these the other day and, in the spirit of whimsy, just had to share them.

The Matryoshkats pattern from Mochimochi Land is an adorable set of nesting cats. The smallest cat is worked in one piece, while the other three are worked as a top half and bottom half that are kept separate to allow the kitties to nest. The ears on the larger cats and tail on the big cat are stitched separately from picked up stitches.

The models are worked in worsted weight yarn but you can size up or down as you like. I think these would be cute in a jumbo version worked in blanket yarn, too!

Anna Hrachovec originally designed these cats to use in the illustrations for her children’s book, Catside Up, Catside Down, but has released the pattern so we can all have a little bit of feline fun.

The smallest cat is 1.25 inches, or 3 cm, tall, while the biggest one is 4.25 inches, or 11 cm, when using worsted weight yarn. The whole set only takes about 30-60 yards (27-55 m) and of course it’s extra cute if each cat is a different color so you can use up little odd balls from other projects here.

It is noted in the pattern but if you’re making these for little ones, the smallest cats in the set are a potential choking hazard. All the more reason to experiment with using larger yarn if giving to a kiddo is the plan.

I would totally keep these on my desk to play with, though, no kids needed. They’d be great to gift to a cat-loving friend of any age. (One project on Ravelry shows them posing with a live cat, but I don’t think they’d make good cat toys.)

You can find this pattern at Mochimochi Land or on Ravelry.

Christmas Gifts For Knitters

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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