When farm cats get inside the farmhouse, they’re as friendly and cuddly as anything, purring around the farmer’s feet to persuade her to give them some fresh cream. But outside in the farmyard, they are tough and wily, keeping an eye on the rats and mice that steal grain from the barns. Cats always seem to have this double personality - maintaining an aloof independence by night, but being warm and friendly during the day.

These little farm cats definitely have a twinkle in their eye, and share this double life. The look fluffy and sweet. But watch out if there’s a mouse about!

The pattern for these little cats is from the book Kath Dalmeny’s World of Knitted Toys, and the full list of over 50 projects is shown below.

Materials
The pattern requires small amounts of mohair or DK in three or four colors, plus a scrap of black for the features.

The pattern recommends substituting non-mohair yarn with DK if you find fluffy yarn difficult to work with or are knitting for an infant.

Additional supplies: Scraps of green felt for the eyes, black and green thread, toy stuffing. The eyes could also be toy safety eyes or simple stitches.

KATH DALMENY’S WORLD OF KNITTED TOYS patterns list

The book contains over 50 patterns for making adorable knitted toys – people and animals from all over the world. Each chapter covers a different habitat, the animals that make their homes there, and one of the people who live there, with accessories to represent their lives or work. The knitting patterns are listed under three categories – Easy; Straightforward; and Challenging, to help knitters choose the project that is right for you. The projects are as follows:

BASIC PERSON PATTERN
(which is then adapted for the people patterns below)

IN THE JUNGLE

• South American Indian
• Spider monkey – mother and baby
• Snake
• Tiger cub
• Gorilla
• Orang utan
• Parrot
• Banana

AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

• Australian sheep farmer (complete with corks hanging from his hat!)
• Merino sheep
• Koala bear
• Duck-billed platypus
• Wombat
• Kangaroo and Joey

DOWN ON THE FARM

• Farmer
• Highland bull
• Pigs and piglets
• Cat
• Mallard duck
• Chicken, cockerel and chicks

THE DEEP BLUE SEA

• Pearl fisherman
• Dolphin
• Shark
• Killer whale
• Turtle
• Octopus
• Clownfish

FOREST FRIENDS

• Canadian Mountie
• Horse
• Grizzly bear
• Beaver
• Raccoon
• Chipmunk
• Moose

ON SAFARI

• African Park Ranger
• Zebra
• Lion family – lion, lioness and lion cub
• Rhinoceros
• Elephant
• Warthog

THE SNOWY REGIONS

• Eskimo
• Husky dog
• Fish
• Penguins – Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins – parents and chicks
• Seal
• Walrus
• Polar bear

PATTERN VARIATIONS

• Sea lion
• Panda bear