July 14, 2010
Knitting … With Pets
Kathy from MO had the best reason for not finishing her challenge sweater in time. Chickens. She wrote, “The summer challenge sweater was almost done-a short cardigan crocheted from DIC Classy Butter Peeps. Then I discovered the chickens LOVED to watch me crochet. So this past week, every day I did a few rows on the back as I sat outside with the flock. The night before last I joined it all…and the back was twice as long as it should have been. I still cannot believe I over-crocheted the back because I was entertaining the chickens by crocheting.” She even sent me pictures as evidence. I think that’s probably the best excuse I’ve heard yet, for not finishing by the deadline! Note how one is particularly determined to get right into the middle of the situation. Or rather, on top of the situation.
I have the same problem. No, not with chickens. With Zoe, my cat. She loves curling up on my lap when I am knitting. If, heaven forbid, I should have my laptop on my lap 
for a bit, she sits on the arm of the chair and gives me the evil eye until I move it off to the table next to me and she can reclaim her spot. (Really – she can be quite intimidating with her eyes.) This photo was taken last summer while I was knitting my 100% Alpaca Girasole. There’s nothing quite like having a large throw on your lap, made out of 100% really really warm Alpaca, along with a furry, warm, purring cat, in the middle of 100 degree weather and 90% humidity. Special times.
So do you knit or crochet with pets that feel the need to be RIGHTTHEREWITHYOU while you work?
Sheri Idolikehavingalapcatinthewintertimewhenit’scold,though
Susan said,
July 14, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
All knitting at night has come to a screeching halt because we adoted a new puppy and she likes all the attention and when not given to her she then goes after the yarn…… So needless to say until she learns that any and all yarn is OFF LIMITS knitting at night is on hold.
Ruth said,
July 14, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
I think that Kathy had the problem with her chickens being so interested in her crocheting because of the yarn name. Butter Peeps. They wouldn’t have been anywhere near as interested if she had been using something like Grey Tabby. On the other hand, Melon Bomb could have made things even more appealing to the chickens. Go figure.
Ashley Gibbons said,
July 14, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
I love this! Made me smile ear to ear. I don’t have any animals that interfere with my knitting or crocheting just 4 small kiddos!
Linda said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
I have the same problem that you do, a cat who is very offended by the lap being occupied with anything but herself. Perhaps that should be “Herself” with a capital H. Once she’s properly situated she usually leaves the yarn alone, although every once in awhile she feels the need to reach out and touch it just to prove that she can.
WendyT said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
OMG – - the chickens are GREAT! What a hoot. I also loved your comments Sheri about the ‘special times’. I do have a kitty, Pharaoh, that likes to hang with me while I knit. He will come over to where I’m sitting, and poke his head up to survey the lap situation, and then with a big leap, he joins me. When it is hot, he will opt to perch on the arm of my knitting chair instead of the lap. I absolutely love to have him around and will accommodate him so that he is happy and comfy and will hang with me for as long as possible. I have spoiled cats for sure. (oh, I have two!!!)
Jane said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
That is SO funny.
deknits said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
One of our (four!) cats likes to sit right up next to me while I knit. She’s usually pretty good, but every now and then I will come upon a damp section of yarn…
Dr. Jackie said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
Two of my three dogs like to be right next to me when I knit. I have dog couch cover for them though, and they restrict themselves to curling up side by side on that. They know that in the evening if the TV is turned on, there is likely to be knitting taking place, and they make a break for their spot. The third dog is a Sheltie, and being so thoroughly covered in fur coat, she prefers the cool kitchen floor…lying right on top of the air conditioning duct!
Kathy said,
July 14, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
every cat I’ve ever had has insisted on being right there in the thick of the projecct, altho some were more into needlepoint than knitting, and some prefer the pre-knitting process of winding skeins, while my current pair enjoy simply observing the yarn travel from ball to needles, unless they can squash themselves into the knitting bag for a quick nap. My late Max cat was like Sheri’s Zoe, needed to be right there, all 15+lbs planted firmly on my lap to oversee any knitting progress UP CLOSE! I believe animals think the project, no matter what it is, will be something for THEM, hence the need to supervise. In the case of the fantastic chickens, they were probably hoping for team sweaters in that amazing Butter Peeps coloration!
Diane said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
This is SO cute!! Funny how “the girls” like to hang out and watch Kathy crochet! Well we used to have a “house rabbit” who was liter trained and all – and most of the time he would just mind his own busines -BUT when I would knit – he would come to check the yarn ball on the floor. There was one time I was knitting my son a scarf out of Alpaca and he literally attacked the yarn – jumped on it and began going at it. So I had to put him in his cage until the scarf had been completed. Once in a while I would wind a small yarn ball out of left over and let him have a “new toy”.
BUT this chicken story’s a keeper and I LOVE the photos – absolutely priceless!! Thanks for sharing
Zoe’s photo is very cute too – she looks very lady like taking her nap.
Tracey said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
i *love* those chicken crochet photos! what a great story.
Rebekah said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
My dogs. Both of them are large, 73 and 95 pounds. And they both think they are lap dogs. In fact I just posted a picture of my dog Django on my blog of him laying like a baby in my arms wanting to be cradled and of course forcing the stitches off my needles. Abner the lab, he likes to in the middle of my knitting, particularly if he can use it to wipe up his drool. He’s a little older though and knows not to push the stitches off the needles.
Lynn Z said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
I don’t think I know how to do something with out assistance from my kitties. I’ve had to learn how to adjust my knitting, spinning and weaving to accommodate at least one cat on my lap. One of my favorite photos was of all three of them crammed onto my lap while I was trying to spin. It made it a little difficult to change the hooks on the flyer!
Kay said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
I think Lexi and Zoe might be communicating with each other.
Lexi will stand by my chair and meow very loudly until I remove the offensive item from my lap. This is always knitting that she is complaining about. Once I move it or at least off my lap then she will jump up and make herself comfortable in my lap. After all….she OWNS me. lol
I have a distant cousin who raises chickens. I’m going to forward this post to her. She is getting back into knitting and her chickens just might like it!
Rita said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
LOVE the chickens! I might have to learn to crochet and hope some chickens find me.
My cat Angel loves to lay on my knitting. My boy Davis is only a snuggle bug when I am knitting. He is not a lap cat but if I am knitting, it’s “mommy, I love you so much! I need a hug…I want to sit on your lap and gaze into your eyes. Oh mommy I love you soooo much!” Davis is more of a chest-cat than a lap cat. He needs to sit on my chest and extend a paw to touch my face. That guarantees no knitting is going on.
If I am using my laptop, Angel just stares at me with the biggest roundest puppy-dog eyes. (think Puss in Boots from Shrek)
MicheleinMaine said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
So cute! One kitty (Honey) meows at me unless I leave a place for her next to me on the couch while I knit. And she must be right up against me, just to make sure I don’t leave. The other (Wabi) meows at me if I knit too long and she wants me to go to bed (and give her her bedtime snack). Really, I feel like I am working for them!
TMTTYRR said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:33 pm
CHICKENS!!!
I love it!!!!
Salty is now 2, and has calmed down considerably. Time was he would snatch the work, whatever it was, and run with it. Now, he’s decided it’s a good thing because I stay where I am. Paddy will emerge from wherever he’s been hiding all day and climb up on my lap. If it’s alpaca or lace weight, though, Paddy WANTS the yarn badly. But yes, they both like evening knitting/crochet time. “Means snuggle time wif Mama,” say Salty Dog and Paddy Cat.
Liz said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
Loved the blog today…truly original!
diane said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
I love the chicken story and photos!
I also have a cat problem. As soon as I settle down in a chair in the living room to knit in the evening, my black cat, Mourka, hops into my lap (after jumping on my dh’s stomach to get there) and demands petting. She doesn’t like it when I knit with DPNs as they poke her. And she only wants to be in my lap when I am knitting. If I sit in the chair in the bedroom, one of my Siamese, Coco, joins me. I enjoy their company, but they can be very demanding!
nadine said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
My chickens would be fine but my other pets……….. I have five goats. They’d EAT it. I’d happily knit and suddenly- the yarn ends and the ball would be gone. And come to think of it- I knit on bamboo needles. I have seen my critters munch through twigs that were as thick as my finger. SO goodbye needles.
We manage books. Just about.
Melissa B. said,
July 14, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
Oh yes I do! When my recently adopted/rescued cockapoo sees the knitting bag come out and the chair foot rest up, she thinks that is her personal invite to join me!
And maybe the chickens heard her mention the color being “Butter Peeps” and their motherthly instincts kicked in! And they hung around to make sure she wasn’t going to hurt thier babes!
Kat Jorgensen said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Ben the cat glares at me when I’m knitting and will not get in my lap until I’m done and he can get my undivided attention. He’s hot-blooded like I am. Between his fur and my hot flashes, we could not add yarn to the mix or we might both spontaneously combust!
Rani said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
What a scream!! That is hilarious. I love the photos as proof of evidence.
Hey, I have a little kitty that likes to curl up on me when I knit. It drives me crazy plus she gets cat hair on my knits. Of course, I leave here there…
sue said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
One of my cats (Samantha) is just like Zoe; I either have to knit around her while she’s on my lap or make room for her. Fortunately both cats have been trained since they were small to not mess wtih the kntting, though occassionally the younger one temporarily forgets her manners and has to play with the yarn.
Kay said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Three cats, each of which have their own interest in the knitting process. One will eat yarn, so he’s not allowed to get too involved. One that likes to snuggle into whatever I have going as it’s on my lap and one who sits as close to me as possible when I’m sittin’ & knittin’.
Patty said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:25 pm
I want to live at her house. How cool to have chickiepets! My 2 dogs decide when I get to knit unobstructed; this is not as often as I might prefer.
Also, the loopy solid yarn that I have purchased has helped me get to know some of my students this summer. The swift is set up at the back of the room and 4 of the students are caking my loopy solids. They took pictures of the summer session today and the swift project was one of the highlights.
Even non-knitting humans are entertained by yarn on occasion.
Theresa in Italy said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
Too funny! Yes, I know what she’s talking about—i have a Newfoundland dog who watches me adoringly as I knit or crochet (and tries to drool all over whatever i’m working on)!
WH said,
July 14, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
On closer look at top photo, the chickens look more concerned about how those red crocs were made.
Dawn Draper said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
I used to have a sweet little cockapoo who was very jealous of my knitting. I was making an afghan, and when I had the knitting in my lap, there was no room for Theo, who loved to get right up in my lap to snooze. I didn’t realize that Theo resented the knitting, until the afghan was done. I folded it neatly at the foot of the bed. It rested there for 3 or 4 days, and then one evening Theo chewed the heck out of it! Revenge! I think that’s when I started knitting socks.
Gini said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
I loved the chicken story, my dachsunds are my life. They both enjoy my knitting and
squeeze into the recliner with me in the evenings, they frequently include their filthy duck toy and whatever else they can find and so it gets a little crowded and challenging to knit anything at all, but like I said my dachsunds are my life.
Hannah said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
Those chickens are really funny. Great shots. I’m glad you shared them with us. My little Maltese dog likes to get as close as possible when I am working on something. I have had yarn wrapped around her little paws from time to time. She doesn’t seem to mind at all.
Patricia said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
what a great story! Chickens!
My dearly departed cat Magpie loved to sit on my lap or next to me when she saw me take out my knitting. She knew it meant I would be staying still in one place for a while!
Cindy (maxfun) said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
Usually when I’m knitting or crocheting, I sit in my comfy chair with my feet up on the ottoman. My cat, Ellie, seems to think this is the perfect time to cuddle with me and always tries to get in my lap, which of course is occupied with yarn and needles/hooks. We have reached a sort of compromise, though. She lays on the arm of the chair with her front legs on my bicep and her head on my shoulder. Since I knit continental style, that works okay for both of us.
My roommate says he’s convinced that I cannot knit with Ellie’s help!
Melinda said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
My kitty, Parker, loves to help me knit. He will jump into my lap and stick his head through the circular needles (all in one movement, as if it is a bullseye). After I remove the circulars from around his neck, he cuddles up in the crook of my arm- preferably under what I am knitting and purrs. If I am knitting with straights, he will try to play with needles. I have to remind him that if he wants to be a part of the knitting, he has to behave, and he settles down. Sometimes, I let him hold the ball of yarn while I knit from it.
April said,
July 14, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
Me! My cat, Buddy, loves to watch me knit. He doesn’t chew or play with the yarn WHILE I’m knitting-lone balls of yarn, however, are considered prey. The funniest thing, though, is that he is a yarn snob! The cat bed I made him out of leftover LB Homespun? Won’t touch it. He only wants to sleep on my Brandywine shawl (made of Mal sock). What can I say – he like the good stuff
sassyspins said,
July 14, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
My cat, Sassy (yes, she lives up to the name), KNOWS MY LAP IS HER SPOT, regardless what I’m doing! She is longish hair and pure white, so all of my handknits have that (unusual) fiber running through. I have up long ago trying to fight it and now have just adapted. Of course, I’d miss her greatly if she wasn’t around.
HeatherB said,
July 14, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
What? You mean having a cat (or other pet) on your lap while you’re trying to knit isn’t a requirement? I thought that was part of the challenge?
AnneS said,
July 14, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
I love the pet chickens!
My cat, Bubba, loves to sit in my lap. If there is knitting in my lap, then it becomes a cat cozy. Big problem when I need to flip the knitting to work a new row.
Nora Brown said,
July 14, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
Almost all knitting is done with my 2 Golden’s snuggling with me. Samson at my left elbow and Delilah at my feet. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s very nice in the winter. It can get a bit warm in the summer.
Kim said,
July 14, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
Oh, absolutely! My Lilith (beautiful tortie-mix kitty) will jump into my lap almost as soon as I sit down to relax and knit. Then she starts demanding attention, then she’ll knead on my lap for about 15 minutes. I can’t do anything when she does this.
Suzanne said,
July 14, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
My favorite cat that passed away 2 years ago loved to sit with me. The two new cats really don’t come up at all. One will for about a minute but that is it.
Picspam! « The Textured Knitter said,
July 14, 2010 @ 6:59 pm
[...] moving forward, I was amused to see Sheri at the Loopy Ewe post about knitting with pets in your lap. I almost always have my iPhone within reach, and frequently have a cat on my lap when I knit. I [...]
Sherry said,
July 14, 2010 @ 7:02 pm
I have two cats who like to sit on my lap while I knit (though generally not at the same time, because they Can’t Touch Each Other). I’ve had an iPhone for a year and a half now and have accumulated a fair number of cats-and-knitting pictures, so I put together a picspam over at http://thetexturedknitter.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/picspam/. Caturday has come early this week!
Sherry said,
July 14, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
Great story! Looking at the 1st photo, I wasn’t sure if the chickens were real. No doubt they are real & they know what they like for entertainment.
Kim B. said,
July 14, 2010 @ 8:16 pm
Right now I have runaway yarn … Timber the Golden puppy thinks they are for playtime as does his older Golden brother Teddy Bear. So, no knitting when they are around. And, when they aren’t I usually have a lapful of Lily the Calico kitty. So, there is always knitting company…whether I want it or not.
katfish said,
July 14, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
I am so happy everyone is enjoying the chicken pictures! There are 3 roosters and 3 hens, and they all, at one time or another, hop up to see what I am doing.
The Crocs are self-defense; the roosters think my bare toes are tasty!
Glad everyone likes them.
And THANK YOU, Sheri!
Kathryn in Minnesota said,
July 14, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
My Icelandic Sheepdog, Viva, usually just snuggles next to me while I knit, but every so often has to climb into the middle of my lap. Generally this happens on days when I’ve been gone from home too long. In terms of knitting productivity, this is an improvement over our kitty, Zip, who was a total sweetie pie but stole every ball of yarn that she possibly could whenever she could in order to redecorate the house in ultra-creative ways. In 2004, Zip left this life for the Great Stash of Yarn Balls in the Sky. We miss her sorely, but her absence does allow me to keep yarn in baskets that don’t have covers on them. Whenever we see a particularly zany sunset, I figure it’s Zip wreaking havoc with God’s yarn stash.
Jennifer said,
July 14, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
Do kids count? Mine like to hold the yarn while I knit, play with my needles, and my eldest always asks ” Is it for me??????” when I start something new. Its pretty cute.
Marsha said,
July 14, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
I have two cats, Ivy and Sammie who are littermates. The moment I sit down to knit, one at a time each jumps up in my lap, not just to sit, but to bug me for attention like pets and scratches. Then one will settle down for about 5 minutes, until the other arrives and chases the first one off, jumps up, and it starts all over again.
Even worse, I often knit reclining in bed and the male, Sammie, has to get on my chest with his face half an inch from mine, then proceed to pat my cheek with his paw so I will pet him! They are brats, but I wouldn’t trade for them!!!
Ellie said,
July 14, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
I have no pets, just kids. My three year old loves to be in my lap while I knit and my three month old insists on it.
Lisa said,
July 14, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
Not only do the animals at home insist on “helping me” (that would be 4 cats, 3 dogs and 3 parrots), but the 2 cats that live at work (a vet clinic) also love my knitting. There’s always one of them sleeping on my knitting bag, and come lunch when I knit, both of them get involved!
(and yes, they have knitted/felted beds at work too)
Ellen said,
July 15, 2010 @ 12:00 am
While my dog, Zoe shares the couch with me while I knit., my cat Kira likes to sit in my lap while I knit. I find it very comforting!
IngerMaaike said,
July 15, 2010 @ 1:47 am
How fun! In my case it is making the yarn that draws the attention. While spinning I had 3 kids from age 5 to 11 sitting mezmerised for 45 minutes watching me make a bobbin of yarn. They were visiting kids and had never seen a spinning wheel in operation yet
Kathryn said,
July 15, 2010 @ 5:03 am
Sheri,
I inherited my mom’s cat when she passed last year. She will sit in front of me with huge jade eyes and just stare for quite some time. Sometimes she will get frustrated by the lack of attention and bite my bamboo dpns or bat at the yarn. Although at times I find this incredibly frustrating, I remember the times that I find comfort from petting her or being next to my cat “Princess.” So, we have an equal partnership. I have dpns with cat teeth imprints, and she has a very understanding owner.
Deirdre said,
July 15, 2010 @ 6:10 am
I almost spat out my coffee laughing at the chickens!
My dogs don’t pay much attention to me knitting, unless they think I’ve been at it too long and neglecting them. Then they like to sit in front of me, staring, and eventually put their heads (yes, it’s almost synchronized) onto the project on my lap. They give me the sad look from there until I relent and throw a ball or something…
Diane said,
July 15, 2010 @ 6:46 am
Would LOVE to see a photo of Kathy modeling her sweater with the chickens
Now I am curious – which pattern was Kathy using – Kathy are you willing to share? 
Also curious – do the chickens and roosters have names?
southparknitter said,
July 15, 2010 @ 7:04 am
This post gives new meaning to my knitting chickens project bag. I have a knitting friend who keeps talking about getting some chickens. She’ll receive a link to this post. I never started a sweater challenge but will use pets as excuse for taking 4 years to knit my stranded Oregon Cardi. Somehow I don’t think I could take one dog, one cat and one 100% wool steeked sweater in my lap during our hot months. Thanks to Kathy for sharing.
Barb in MA said,
July 15, 2010 @ 7:18 am
mostly I am ok with the yarn part, but my SophieBear (feline) sure likes to come over pull the knitting needles out of the yarn. nice that the yarn does not attract her but the needles, what a wonderful cat toy. now her big brother Mo has taken to sitting in front of the computer screen when I knit and as he is a “bit” overweight, he also keeps sitting on the keyboard. I keep patterns I am working on on the computer, it is easier as I tend to change adapt patterns a bit as I work them and I don’t lose the scraps of paper like I used to, but I can’t seen them though him and I don’t doubt that he knows he gets my attention. well, Mo is back. no more knitting or typing for now. – Barb
Cyndy Harkins said,
July 15, 2010 @ 7:49 am
No cats here, but my 40 lb. Cocker Spaniel turns into a lap dog in the winter, which makes it really tough to knit. Thankfully, she gives it up in the summer unless I have food she thinks she should share. The chicken story is hilarious!
Seanna Lea said,
July 15, 2010 @ 7:54 am
I don’t really knit or crochet around Saru-chan, our kitty. She used to have a yarn eating habit, and the yarn is put away when not being used. I knit near Victor, the dog, instead, because he won’t try to pull it out of my lap. Though if I am too boring he will give me these sad eyes that say if you aren’t going to play with me, you could at least give me liver and bacon.
Laurie said,
July 15, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Those chickens are just too adorable. Don’t know much about them, but I know they’re quite smart and trainable. My dog just likes to be where I am, whatever I’m doing, but one of the three cats I had loved to lay in my lap when I was knitting. Luckily, she was a petite little thing, and she’d curl up, I’d even end up putting my knitting on top of her…she didn’t care. The other two liked to lay next to me, but Tittums, my dear little calico psycho-bitch kitty was truly at peace when covered with my knitting.
Joannah said,
July 15, 2010 @ 8:39 am
My cat, Francis, is quite clear that he has propriatory rights to snuggle up next to my thigh whenever I’m sitting down. If a ball of yarn should happen to be on his turf…not a problem, he just lies on top of it.
Molly Johnson said,
July 15, 2010 @ 9:47 am
I LOVE IT! My pets feel the need to be in whatever I am working on too. The cats and dog are pretty well mannored…but when it comes to Frances, the rat, well that’s another matter! She likes to sit on my chest and watch, acting all innocent, and then, when I am not paying attention to her, she springs right onto my current wip….and tries to eat it!!!! I am going to have to catalog her as one of my WIP too!
Marianne said,
July 15, 2010 @ 10:01 am
the chicken story is absolutely priceless. I have 3 cats who vie for my lap so my knitting time can be cut significantly depending on what i am knitting. Currently I am doing the lace part of Ishbel and I just can do it with a 14 lb cat on my lap! Mostly, I give the kitties their time but will ask them to leave after about 30 minutes so I can get some knitting in!
Marti Johnson said,
July 15, 2010 @ 10:16 am
Obviously pets have decided that time spent doing what we love is not time devoted to them, and have to get into the act! My late kitty, Irish, loved the process of me hand-quilting since I do it with a hoop in my lap. Instead of being on my lap with the quilt, he’d make a nest of the quilt draped onto the floor, and that little 10-pound kitty could suddenly seem to weigh 50 pounds when I’d try to shift the quilt to a new spot. Another cat, Mittens, used to think my balls of yarn were her personal body pillows and wrap herself around the ball of yarn, complete with holding the yarn strand down with her front legs. That really stopped the knitting until I could unwind it from her. I think its time to get another pet who will dominate my needlework for me.
Marjorie Hartnett said,
July 15, 2010 @ 10:18 am
and I thought I was the only one!!! Rosie is a 2 yo golden retreiver who for the most part ignores me during the day….except when I start to knit. Then it is nap time for her and her head (you guessed it) in my lap. Hard to knit with your arms up in the air and she doesn’t like it if the yarn tickles her nose to wake her up. I love her….good thing!!!
Channon said,
July 15, 2010 @ 11:12 am
Oh yes. I’ve had a terrier in my lap since the moment I decided to take up knitting again, however many years ago that was now. Gretchen, the current lap guard, has a special fetish for any yarn with cashmere in it. She just rubs her face in it, so gently… Smart girl!
Ellen said,
July 15, 2010 @ 11:23 am
My animals are not on my lap but “help’ in their own way. I made a pair of fingerless gloves for our mail lady this year and as I was finishing the second one, my adolescent dog ate the first one…..luckily, I had enough yarn to make a third. He also “helps” by stealing any skein of yarn he can and playing catch me if you can! Somedays it’s funnier than others…….
Dan said,
July 15, 2010 @ 11:40 am
Wow, love those chickens!! Thinking of getting a brood myself. But that might cause a bit of commotion if my current knitting buddy gets jealous!
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/jpsdad/7319729/img_0280_medium.jpg
He’s such a love pig, but feels as cozy as a handmade sock when he’s at my feet. Just a little difficult to get into my shoes!
Catherine Ristola Bass said,
July 15, 2010 @ 12:34 pm
Angus follows me around from room to room while I clean, etc. He likes it when I sit to knit or whatever so he can get some rest!
turtle said,
July 15, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
I think this may be one of my favorite posts!
I have a stalker kitty who having been a stray needs to do things on her time. So she does tend to be next to me or at my feet hoping for a chance to chase the yarn string when the chance arises! My golden who passed a year ago used to have a habit of lying on the yarn if it fell to the floor, i think she thought if it as her pillow.
Kay said,
July 15, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
No cats or chickens here: just dog(s). Only one interfers with my knitting and that is the littlest (25 lb) one. He will play happily by himself for a while and then want my attention. Little bugger grabs my needles and just sits there with them in his mouth as if to say “Pay attention to me or I’ll rip these out”! Hasn’t attempted to bother any yarn except one skein of cotton but does get into the knitting bag every once in a while. Thank goodness the larger dog (70 lb) isn’t interested!
Kathkeen said,
July 15, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Unfortunately, my cat hates me. Actually she hates everybody. She can not stand to be held and would never sit on ones lap. She just hauntingly sits by ones feet and gives the evil eye. In her defense, she was a stray and has lived with us for 11 years.
Lisa in Los Angeles said,
July 15, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
They don’t sit in my lap, but all three cats feel free to interrupt me when I’m knitting. Entropy, who “lives” on the couch, will tug at my shoulder with a paw, or stand on my shoulder and yowl in my ear – she wants some roasted chicken – NAOWWW! Ganache, our big fat glamour girl, will flop next to me and occasionally try to bite through my yarn. Espresso will stand on the spiral staircase and try to get me upstairs to the loft so I can brush her fur for the umpteenth time and feed her cat treats.
Gina said,
July 15, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
My cat, Louis usually drapes himself near or on the pattern or the skein of yarn. I love it.
Betty said,
July 15, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
My Bichon-shiztsu?? and poodle love to help me knit. If I leave a ball or skein of yarn within their reach, Rags and Rose will shake it until it is unraveled for me. They think that I enjoy untangling as I knit!
Kathy Sue said,
July 15, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
We had a kitty for nearly 20 years who would sit next to me and attack my yarn, and she did not appreciate that I would stop to dry the yarn before it went through my fingers!
Sarah F. said,
July 15, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
TH0SE CHICKENS ARE SO FUNNY!!!
I WANT CHCIKENS TO KNIT WITH TOO!
rohanknitter said,
July 15, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Oh yes! We have chickens but I’ve never knit in front of them – those pictures on your blog are too funny. I usually have 2 wiener dogs trying to squeeze on my lap along with the knitting.
Doreen said,
July 16, 2010 @ 8:15 am
That is so funny! I knit sitting in my recliner with a Pug on my lap and a Corgi across my legs. The cat hates the Pug so he stays away unless he knows the coast is clear. He then likes to stand on my lap with his head under my chin. Not surprisingly, every single thing I knit has some pet hair in it. But not pet feathers.
Laurie said,
July 16, 2010 @ 8:32 am
Love the chicken pictures! My cat, Taz, has to come help me knit or tat every night, but he would really prefer it if I would just set my work aside and pay attention to him! Many times he will try to nose his head into my hand which really tends to help me drop stitches at times, but I would not have it any other way!
catspaw said,
July 16, 2010 @ 9:31 am
My pets have always been such a nuisance that I now have a room of my own where I do my knitting and spinning. It has a slatted door so air circulates well and the critters and I can see each other but they can’t get in. With the current total at 3 dogs and 2 cats, this has been a great solution.
Karen in Toledo said,
July 16, 2010 @ 11:42 am
Oh, the chickens made me laugh! Both of my Labs have to alternate lounging with me in my corner of the sectional sofa while I knit. The cat rarely ventures downstairs, but when she does, she will study the movement of my knitting needles, and then wander off, bored. No one seems to have much interest in the spinning wheel.
Lou said,
July 16, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
Yep, my cat, Gambit, loves to lay in my lap or up on the top of the cushion by my shoulders. When he’s feeling particularly amorous, he will turn and invert himself in a way that his head and paws are flopping over my shoulder and perdiodically paw at me to get my attention!
rarabecca said,
July 16, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
I actually have about 3 or 4 cats that fight over my lap in the evenings. They have all learned that playing with the yarn is a sure way of being booted from the recliner. They usually surround me by sitting on the foot rest or on the arms. They usually get annoyed when I peddle on the spinning wheel. As if to say ” why must you move my bed” ahh life with pets.
Robin F. said,
July 19, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
I used to have 4 cats! Three of them died this winter- the 4th is my knitting assistant-he checks the yarn as it approaches my needles from the ball and he leaves bits of fur on all the projects in my house.
Sarah said,
July 25, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
I have two cats and they really don’t pay all that much attention to my knitting. Unless I’m knitting with alpaca. Then, they snuggle up next to me and my knitting and pet and cuddle the yarn.
Its not just us humans that have a think for alpaca!
Sarah