[CindysKnitN]

I plan to make this tubbie from Snuggles Project. And wanted to know if any one has ever used a fine gauge wire for the sides to make it a little stronger. I was thinking about adding the wire to every 5th or 6th row - like a life line - hoping it would help retain shape a little better so kitty could rest her head on the sides. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Jessica-Jean]

It would no longer be machine washable if wire were incorporated into it.

The one I've made a few times is on Quanah's website. (The first one taught me that superwash wool does NOT felt!) I just throw them into the washer and dryer for cleaning. The felting makes the edges firm enough to hold up a kitty chin.

Lucy's Kitty Bed is on my 'to-do' list.

 

[CindysKnitN]

I thought about the problem of washing too, thanks for reminding me.

 

[daleech]

My husband gave me a piece of 300 lb fishing test line that would work just perfect for something like this and it would be washable. I use it to turn my work on my knitting machine.

 

[Jessica-Jean]

My husband gave me a piece of 300 lb fishing test line that would work just perfect for something like this and it would be washable. I use it to turn my work on my knitting machine.

Granted it is strong, but would it make the knitted sides of the cat-bed stand up? How? Would you knit it along with the yarn?

 

[daleech]

That is one to think about. Worth the experiment. Just was thinking about something that would be washable.

 

[willi66]

Somewhere in my stash I have a pattern for a kitty bed (but it is more like a hut). I think it is crocheted. I must try to find the link, it was a free pattern.

 

[crispie]

I made lots of bowls and kitty beds for my friends for Christmas this year. I first made the kitty bed for my own cat and found that if I doubled the yarn for the rim and sides and then used a single strand for the rest, it felted nicely and the sides held up better. I used Lions Brand fisherman wool yarn that I had on hand from a previous project and a large needle to knit (15 I think). I threw it in the washer to felt it, dried it in the dryer until damp, then "pulled" it back into the shape I wanted and allowed to air dry. Have washed and dried in this way many times for my own cat beds. Had to make a couple for my own cat as she is very finicky about the smell of her cat bed, so I made a couple for her so I can rotate them.

 

[RoxyCatlady]

Another thing to consider with the wire, is that it will have ends (unless you find a way to weld/solder them together after putting it in) which can come out and poke poor kitty...

 

[krankymax]

You can always use plastic canvas strips to make it a little more shapely. It will keep it's shape after washing. Just use a front loader to wash it and drip dry.

 

[Marge in MI]

you could make two beds and fill with some pillow stuffing and sew together around the inside circle and at the top.that would give a firmer side and a nice soft bottom for kitty to sleep on

 

[Featherstitcher]

Could kitty nails get caught in wire?

 

[Lynn-Philly]

Lions brand makes a yarn with wire in it. I saw a sweater made with it and it looked good and had a nice feel, but not stiff.

 

[ptober]

It would no longer be machine washable if wire were incorporated into it.

The one I've made a few times is on Quanah's website. (The first one taught me that superwash wool does NOT felt!) I just throw them into the washer and dryer for cleaning. The felting makes the edges firm enough to hold up a kitty chin.

Lucy's Kitty Bed is on my 'to-do' list.

I have made the Lucy cat bed- if you make the sides higher after felting you can turn them down and it provides a nice support for the cats head.