Saturday 15 August 2015

A Tommie Blanket


Our Tommie-cat has died.




Suffice to say that there are currently very hostile feelings between us and that I'm counting the weeks until my kids can again safely ride their bikes in our (usually) very quiet, single-lane street in our (usually) very quiet residential estate.





 Tommie was my (okay, my son's) very first kitten. 
We got her as a rescue from the local SPCA for his 7th birthday after he's been pleading for months.  Although she was his, she was also mine, my constant companion during the mornings at home, following me and calling me if she didn't immediately see me, fighting with my hands when I folded laundry until I had to cage her with the laundry basket, walking round and round the edge of the bath, waiting for me to get out of the water (she fell in twice :-) ).  





She was such a bloody oulike cat.

But.  

The Unveiling of the Tombstone (it's a Thing in South Africa)
We planted a katjiepiering (gardenia) and catnip in the zinc bath.
He wrote a letter that was cellotaped to a stick and planted in there as well. 

So last week terrible Friday I started sorting my Vinnis and other cotton and bamboo yarn stash, putting together colours to use in a month or so when I would start working on summer blankets for the boys.  I decided to make a simple Granny Stripe for the Little One, as he already has a smallish Granny Square blanket.  As it is when sorting yarn and making Big Decisions like this, I thought I'd just start with a row or two, just to get an idea...you know...




And then the Horrible Afternoon happened, and we had a Cat Funeral, and took the boys to the beach to get them away, and I diverted my Little One's attention by telling him about his new blanket that I started that morning, and that he could remember Tommie when he cuddled under it and by the end of the day I was ten rows away and made promises of a crocheted kitty appliquéd on the blanket.  

SO here I am, hooking away on this one, shoving other plans and projects to the side. As usual, there is a Formula to my colour sequencing :-P




Meanwhile, I'll be scouring the universe for crochet kitty patterns to appliqué - feel free to point me in the right direction!

Tearfully, 
Stel

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry about your loss!
This cute cat seemed to be a really social and sweet little friend.
She looked so pretty...
Take your time for this sadness.
Hope you find some comforting in crochet!
Sigrid

Happy in red said...

Aww, poor Tommie poes. Hope your kids are okay. We lost our cat Willen a few years back and she was just a happy little tiger as Tommie was, we still miss her dearly.

Kay G. said...

I am sorry for the loss of your kitty. Such great photos, he looked like a very sweet pet.

laydilyke said...

Sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a pet, I'm still grieving for my baby cat that passed 4 months ago. Remember the good memories you had with him.

Anne said...

I am so so sorry to hear about your cat! Hugs!

Take care
Anne
Crochet Between Worlds

homemade@myplace said...

so sorry for you and your boys, Stel….
I really understand your deep pain as we madly love our Margot …
lots of love and hugs, xxxxx Ale

Santie said...

Ai, ek is jammer oor julle kiets. Ek moes al te veel van hulle groet. Ons het op 'n stadium ses gehad, en daar is net enetjie oor. 'n Tandelose, behoeftige klein siamesie met 'n ongelooflike groot stem, en sy is al vyftien.
Die onthou kombersie is 'n wonderlike idee!

Sterkte vir julle almal.

Jodiebodie said...

I am so sorry that you lost a family member and also sorry to be so behind in reading your news which didn't appear in my blog feed at the time. A cat with such personality is always sorely missed. I am sorry for your son to lose his first kitten so suddenly.
Your blanket plans were very timely and a way to partially fill the hole left behind where Tommie once was. The colours you have chosen are, as always, a beautiful balance.
Hugs and condolences,
Jodie xx