Looking for cat-friendly yarn

Hi there, yarn lovers!

For me, the factors “cats” and “yarn” often clash. Most of the time,
it’s about the extra mohair effect—that is, the little fur fuzzies in the crochet piece.

Now I’ve had this bold idea: I want to spruce up a small cube-shaped seat using
a granny square. So I want to crochet a cover like that. For that, I
need yarn, of course. And now I’m looking for durable yarn that can withstand both claws
and fur.

Does this “miracle” yarn even exist?

Thanks so much for your help with the search!

Parmin

Wow, that really is a challenge. Because of the fur, a nice, smooth mercerized cotton would probably be best—nothing sticks to it easily—but I’m not so sure if it can withstand claws.

Sisal 😂
That’s seriously the only thing I can think of. It does actually come in different colors, but I wouldn’t want to crochet with it or sit on it 🫣
Maybe some textile yarn?
LG

I’ve always had cats and so far have been able to keep every one of them from scratching things. You just have to offer enough alternatives, and it takes time (but yes, you can train cats).
Then any yarn you like will work—as long as you can vacuum it thoroughly every day or wash it occasionally.

Thanks for your tips!

To be honest, sisal was already enough for me when I wrapped it around an old
carpet roll. It still prickles even with gloves on.

Textile yarn would be an option. I’d actually already thought about paracord
myself. I’d just have to figure out how many meters I’d need. And
what hook size that would require.

Our four kitties actually have plenty of places to scratch. Two
large scratching posts in the living-dining room. There’s a rug
hanging by the fireplace for scratching. Then there’s a small portable scratching post, too. In the bedroom,
there’s also a medium-sized scratching post.
They’re even allowed to go to town on the outdoor rugs. And yet
one of the tomcats just can’t help himself and scratches the sofa. 

I crocheted a bedspread out of pure virgin wool (Kauni).... Then I put the whole thing in the washing machine at 30 degrees (on the wool cycle), and it really blooms out beautifully. My cat lies on it very often and for long periods of time, and the blanket can even handle the occasional scratch. But if your cat wants to sharpen his claws on it, that’s going to be a bit tricky... 

Basically, you’d have to use sisal yarn or maybe
 macramé cord to crochet something reasonably durable

I crocheted a granny blanket using double-stranded cotton, and the cat hair doesn’t stick to it as much. They haven’t scratched it yet, only kneaded it, but so far everything is still intact
and when choosing the colors, take the cats’ fur color into account; mine have red, white, and cream-colored fur

I would have suggested macramé too—it can withstand claws, but the fur gets caught in it. At some point, I just decided that cat fur on everything and anything was just as “beautiful” as the ground elder in the garden.
This is a home where people and animals live, love, and laugh (that’s what it says on our front door)—not a museum!