Several years ago I made the first "Kimmie Kitty" for my then almost-two and very new charge Eleanor. Even though we had just met, it quickly became clear that we shared a mutual love of kitties. We'd be walking down the street, stopping to smell every flower, and whenever a cat appeared we both had to say hello. It was love at first sight.
Upon meeting someone I like, I typically have a desire to make them something, but rarely do I have the confidence, time or resources to actually produce it. It was different with Eleanor. One night it dawned on me to knit her a kitty and a few days later the Kimmie Kitty was born. Now, I did not give it this name of course. You can't really name gifts after yourself and I would never do that even if you could. Since Eleanor called me "Pim" at the time, I'm guessing mom had a lot of influence in the name. (Thanks Laura!!)
It's been such a pleasure over the years to watch Eleanor's Kimmie Kitty get tossed around, tucked in for naps, and loved to the point of major pillage! No other thing I've created has made me happier than hearing the Kimme Kitty being talked to in Eleanor's whisper play voice.
When Eleanor's sister Clarissa came along, I of course wanted her to have a Kimmie Kitty too, but I wanted to wait and make sure a kitty would really be the right animal for her. At 17 months, Clarissa is the best meower I know and loves spotting cats out the car window. These sisters and I, we really are kindered spirits!
"Mmmm.... mmmm" is what Clarissa says when she gives hugs and it always feels like love.