Cats in Hats 30 Knit and Crochet Patterns for Your Kitty

Do you really enjoy knitting certain things? Me I love shawls, socks, hats and now hats for my cat. I mean really who wouldn't enjoy making a hat for your cat and using up some yarn scraps. Well that is what this awesome book lets you do. This book is so awesome I actually pre-ordered it back in the Fall when I saw it on Amazon! Imagine my surprise when I was contacted by Running Press asking if I wanted to review it and be part of the Blog tour. Lets dive in and take a closer look of Cats in Hats 30 Knit and Crochet Patterns for Your Kitty.

Sara Thomas is such a brilliant designer. She has a passion for our fluffy friends and created a whole book packed with 30 patterns to knit and crochet for your kitty. The book is also one of those "pretty" books that you can leave out and pick up for a smile during the day. The book is laid out so well with clear written instructions and even maps in the crochet section. there are 20 knit patterns and 10 crochet patterns. They range from super easy to a little intermediate. The patterns cover all the hats a Cat could ever dream of. There are hats for every holiday such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and even Valentines Day! There are fun hats like Top hat, shark hats, cupcake hats and even a Spring Chic Hat.

Cats in Hats retails for $16.95 and is published from Running Press.

 ***That is .56 cents per pattern *** 

The book is made with nice weight pages and a thicker than normal paperback cover. There are 112 pages in the book and it is full of cute kitty's in adorable hats. Looking at the book pages 6-7 is a little intro from Sara and some info about her furry felines. Pages 8-9 host a snap shot photo of the patterns in the book along with the pages to find the pattern. They are separated into two sets knit and crochet. The pattern page layouts are my favorite. There is a picture that shows the hat really well, the size and supplies needed for that hat. There is a lot of white back ground behind the pattern making them easy to read and allows the Finish Object Photo Pop. The Crochet patterns are the only patterns that have type of chart. Pages 102-107 have clear and easy to understand knitting and crochet techniques found in the patterns. There is even additional techniques such as how to stuff, making pom poms and joining pieces. Page 108 goes of the abbreviations and hot to read charts. I find her abbreviations are very clear and universal in the knitting and crochet world. Sara even list all the yarns she used in the book and the colors she used on page 109. I Love this because these are yarns that can be found at your big box stores so you can create the exact item she created or use scraps you may already have. 110-111 is the index putting all the patterns in alphabetical order and then the last page 112 Sara takes the time to list each kitty and the page they were featured on making them mini Furry Fashion Models. 

Now you maybe asking yourself why would I want to make my cat a hat.... what you should be asking yourself is WHY NOT! they are super easy, work up lightening fast (most of mine I made sitting in my son's pick up line at school). The patterns use scraps you probably already have or if not yarn you can easily get your hands on. They put a smile on your face. They are great to use to take fun photos for cards, social media pages, use in baskets of kitty things for a friend who may just have gotten a new cat and even to give children to use on their stuffed cats and most importantly donation! That's right donation... Do you live close to an animal shelter or rescue group? You can wip up some of these hats and drop them off during holidays or whenever and let the take photos of the kitty's for their page. No one could resist a kitty in a hat! Just think you could help save kitty lives! 

Now are you ready for the exciting news?? You can win your very OWN copy of Cats in Hats 30 Knit and Crochet Patterns for Your Kitty by Sara Thomas and the awesome folks at Running Press. The folks at running press are actually giving away a few things. #GIVEAWAY

~~ONE prize pack that includes a copy of the book, an EXCLUSIVE hat pattern from Sara Thomas, and the yarn necessary to complete the pattern.

~~FIVE runners up will receive a copy of the book. 

**Please Note :Winners will be contacted by email and must notify us within 48 hours of the notification email with address and acceptance. Please note that winners can be from the US only. ** This contest will run from 3/16 to 3/30 @ 12 AM EST.  

The picture Bellow is the EXCLUSIVE pattern you can win in the prize pack! It is the cutest Easter Egg Hat ever! 

My Blog is not the only Blog talking of this wonderful book and you should check out the blog schedule for other awesome deals they may have going on. Not to mention you may see their furry children modeling off the hats in the book.  The links for the giveaway will be at the end of this post.

AUTHOR KICKOFF: 3/16 Scooter Knits

3/17 Yarning 4 A Smile

3/18 Wendy Knits

3/19 In Stitches

3/20 Polka Dot Cottage

3/21 FaveCrafts

3/22 Recycled Crafts

3/23 Lorelei’s Blog

3/24 CraftSanity

3/25 Lori Greenberg

3/26 Crafting a Green World

3/27 Gaea Handmade
3/28 Pretty Things Blog

I made a total of 9 hats. I made the Strawberry, Bunny, Dinosaur, Extraterrestrial, I Heart You, Elf and 3 Bobble Hats .  I still plan on making many more. My Kitty model is my Dexter. Dexter will be one in a few months. Dexter was a rescue we got from our local animal shelter. He was found thrown in a dumpster and brought in a about 5 weeks old and weighing in less than half a pond. He was bones and scared. I just so happened to visit the shelter 30 mins after he was brought in. He was not weaned yet. I actually had another kitten in my hand and was walking out when this small baby climbed on the side of the cage and started meowing. I did not even see him in the cage when I walked by before hand. The lady told me his story but said they could not adopt him out because he just got in the door and not checked out yet. My hubby and I assured them we would get hi to a vet and teach him to eat. He was sent home with us to foster. He is now 15 lbs of pure snuggle fun. He comes as soon as you call his name and thinks he is a child or dog. He spend his time playing with our boys, his bouncy balls, hand knit fish, furry rats, watching TV, sleeping everywhere and starring out the window at the birds. He is completely indoor kitty and loves every minute of it. We are truly Blessed to have him come in out lives.

You can find more info on my projects by visiting my Ravelry page which can be found here. You can find Sara's Etsy Store here.   Sara's Ravelry page here.   I would love to see you finished cat hats! Use the #catsinhats #Scooterknits  on Instagram and all social media.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't want to wait to win? Maybe you also want to pick up a copy for a gift?? Click the Amazon link now to be taken to Amazon and get this book at an awesome price.

 

I want to Thank Running Press and Sara Thomas for creating such Beautiful things to make our lives and the lives of our furry friends even more fun!

Happy Yarning ~ Kim

(I am now way being paid by Sara Thomas or Running Press for this review. I am however an Amazon affiliate and will make a very small amount if you buy the book though the Amazon link I have provided)