Hi there! My name is Sara and I love kittens, kitsch, and knitting. I was born and raised in Nashville, TN where I currently reside with my tiny, happy family. which includes my handsome fella, Isaac, my sweet son, Leander, and my two cats, Dorothy and Sinclair. I founded Scooter Knits in 2009 on Etsy, to offer hand knit hats for cats to wear! My first pattern book, Cats In Hats, was released by Running Press Books in the US in March of 2015.

 

I taught myself how to knit when I was 18 as a way to relieve stress while in college. In 2008, I moved to London, England to study Fashion. While there, my knitting skills expanded and I started writing patterns and experimenting with different knitting techniques. When I adopted Dorothy in 2009, I began using my newly expanded knitting skills to knit her tiny things, including hats. Needless to say, Cat Hats was a fairly new market on Etsy at the time. Over the years I've had a fantastic time conceptualizing and designing hats that reflect feline personalities! It's been a wonderful experience and has allowed me to meet cat enthusiasts the world over.  I'm also working on translating my grandmother's hand knit vintage clothing into patterns (but that takes a little longer than making a cat hat). 

 

Common Cat Hat Questions: 

1. Do cats actually wear the hats? 

Yes, they do. Some for longer than others. I think it's important to have a trusting relationship with your animals and to know, as their owner, if wearing a hat is the right thing for them. Be aware of the environment and try not to make hat wearing a traumatic experience for them by staying calm and offering treats and affection. With that being said, it just isn't for every cat. My Sinclair refuses to wear them (though I still manage to snap a pic of him trying every now and then). 

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2. But why hats for cats?

Why not? Hehe. I like making cat hats because they are quick projects that allow you to  explore knitting techniques. 

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3. Do you have any tips for taking pictures?

Yes, a blog post is forth coming! In the mean time, be sure to have lots of treats and toys handy (think preparedness!)

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4. Are all those cats in the book yours?

Nope! I'm a two-cat kinda cat lady. However, I am told that most of the cats in the book are actually shelter animals from London. They are pretty #pawsome models. 

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5. You must be a crazy cat lady. 

Ok, actually no one has ever asked me this question directly. But I put it on this list because it's something I'd like to address - and have in blog posts. From day one, I've used Scooter Knits as a way to poke fun at the stigma of a traditional cat lady. I don't think it's cool when people stereotype. I definitely have a sense of humour about what I do, but moreso, I have cat lady pride. Crazy Cat Lady? Indeed, I am. But I prefer to subscribe to the Cat Lady Chic mentality rather than the Crazy one ;) And if my cat hats make someone giggle, even if it's at me rather than with me, I'll count that as a win. The world needs more laughter. 

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While I no longer make cat hats to sell, I still design the patterns and knit them for fun from time to time. ScooterKnits will remain active, new inspiration is always forthcoming. Thanks for taking the time to follow along!