A cat cave or “cat nest” about 75% done. If I didn’t have a sweet kitty who KNOWS this is for him, I’d be tempted to turn this into a boho tote, or a big round area rug. I LOVE the mohair textures here and there, and the color blending (which looks richer in person than in photos.)

Chippy Cat loves alpaca and wool, so I’m using up chunky scrap craft store yarns that have some alpaca, mohair, and wool content, and incorporating wool roving occasionally.

I’ve learned a lot from this simple project! Had to rip out several rounds when I began the sides, because 3 - 4 rounds of the sides (when I stopped increasing) still sat like part of the base, making it much bigger than I intended.

Also, I did some rounds with turning, some without turning, as I pleased. After ripping out to make a smaller base, I switched to turning for ALL rounds, because it came out a bit thicker, stiffer, more structured. See, I rarely do hats or round-bottom totes, or projects in all single crochet, so…learning this stuff now.

Even so it’s still a bit on the saggy side. Probably when I cover the top it will cave in a bit. My son assures me that Chippy will love this even more :-)

I thought using two strands of chunky yarns held together and crocheted tightly would be stiff enough. I realized late the I could have done a “clothesline crochet” type maneuver! I’m seeing fresh ideas for this old basket weaving-like technique of crocheting over a rope (such as cotton clothesline) that coils in the round. Because really, I’m doing the closest thing to a covered basket, which is more sculptural; not so much a hat or tote type fabric.