The Knitty Kitty

The Knitty Kitty is a groundbreaking hybrid cat lounge and yarn shop in Bloomingdale, NJ, established by mother-daughter co-founders Amelia and Sally Basile. Amelia, who launched her crochet business "Crochet by Mia" at just 14, envisioned a space with deeper purpose when managing a chronic illness made traditional vendor markets unsustainable. Sally's lifelong passion for cat welfare and fostering experience—including rehabilitating feral cats into socialized companions—complemented Amelia's creative vision. Together, they created a community hub where fiber artists, cat enthusiasts, and adoption seekers converge, grounded in environmental consciousness and animal welfare. The Knitty Kitty partners with Wildflowers TNR, a local rescue organization, to provide adoptable cats while supporting their trap-neuter-return efforts to address cat overpopulation.

The lounge fosters an intimate, intentional experience with 12-14 adoptable foster cats at any given time, typically maintaining a 1:1 cat-to-visitor ratio. Staff prioritize feline wellbeing through clear visitor guidelines: no picking up cats without approval, no flash photography, calm voices, and careful observation of body language (cats wearing yellow collars require extra caution as they're prone to overstimulation). The shoe-free environment—requiring socks or house slippers—creates a cozy, home-like setting for both cats and visitors. Beyond lounging, guests can work on fiber projects at dedicated crafting tables, access a free yarn section with donated materials and borrowed tools, and participate in community events hosted by local artisans and small business owners.

Operating Thursday through Sunday, 12pm–8pm (with a 3–4pm cleaning break), The Knitty Kitty offers flexible booking: 50-minute sessions for $20 or 20-minute sessions for $12, with discounted bundles available (3-hour bundle at $45, 5-hour at $65, and 10-hour at $120, all valid for 3 months). All adoptions are facilitated through Wildflowers TNR's application process and include a custom crocheted plushie resembling your new feline family member. Visit 142 Main Street, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403 and book sessions online, or reach out to theknittykittynj@yahoo.com for inquiries.