A while ago I got a truck load of yarn from my mother. The black yarn is always useful, and the turquoise and light blue were used in a boy’s baby blanket I made as a gift. Here I am, “stuck” with about 5-6 balls of grey yarn, without an idea what to make. I asked some friends and readers, and everyone suggested various grey animals: mice, elephants and cats. I already made an elephant once and wasn’t happy with the result (I need to think of a better design than the pattern I used). Mice can be cute, but I really like cats, so I decided to go in that direction. Maybe I’ll make a mouse for the cat to play with next…
I made the body flat because I thought it was softer and more cuddly that way, but it can also be made into a cute scarf if you make the body long enough. You could also make it into a pillow by making 2 body pieces, stuffing them and sewing closed.
So, here’s how to make her (it’s definitely a she):
Materials
- 1 ball worsted weight grey (or other cat color) yarn
- a small amount of green/blue, pink and black yarn for the eyes, nose and mouth (weight of your choice)
- 4-4.5 mm hook
- fiberfill stuffing
Notes
- Gauge is not important for this project, use the size hook appropriate for the yarn you chose.
- The stitches should be tight so that the filling doesn’t show through the holes.
- All the pieces are worked in continuous rounds, do not turn or join. Place a marker in the last stitch to indicate the end of the round. Move marker up as each round is completed.
- You will not use up the entire ball of yarn, make two if you feel like it.
- My tip for attaching the pieces: first attach with a contrasting yarn, without securing the ends. After you are happy with the placing, secure the pieces with the right color yarn. This will minimize mistakes and give a more professional final look.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- st – stitch
- idec – invisible decrease. Instructions for this can be found here .
- [ … ] – repeat instructions in [ ] as many times as specified.
Instructions
Head
1: With grey yarn, ch 2. 6 sc in second st from the hook, or use the magic loop method
2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc at the end of this round (12)
3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 6 times (18)
4: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] 6 times (24)
5: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc] 6 times (30)
6: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc] 6 times (36)
7: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc] 6 times (42)
8: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6 sc] 6 times (48)
9: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc] 6 times (54)
10: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc] 6 times (60)
11-13: sc in each sc around (60) 14: [idec, sc in next 8 sc] 6 times (54)
14: [idec, sc in next 7 sc] 6 times (48)
15: [idec, sc in next 6 sc] 6 times (42)
Embroider nose, mouth and eyes on the front of the piece. I recommend drawing the face on the piece with a vanishing fabric marker as a guide. I didn’t and was sorry…
16: [idec, sc in next 5 sc] 6 times (36)
17: [idec, sc in next 4 sc] 6 times (30)
Stuff piece.
18: [idec, sc in next 3 sc] 6 times (24)
19: [idec, sc in next 2 sc] 6 times (18)
20: [idec, sc in next 1 sc] 6 times (12)
If needed, add a bit of stuffing to make sure the head is quite firm.
21: idec 6 times (6)
Cut and pull the thread through remaining stitches to close the hole.
Ears (make 2)
1: With grey yarn, ch 2. 4 sc in second st from the hook, or use the magic loop method
2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 8 sc at the end of this round (8)
3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 4 times (12)
4: sc in each sc around (12)
5: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] 4 times (16)
6: sc in each sc around (16)
7: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc] 4 times (20)
8: sc in each sc around (20)
Flatten the ears (do not stuff) and fold them so they are slightly rounded (use the picture as a reference). Attach to head.
Legs (make 4)
1: With grey yarn, ch 2. 6 sc in second st from the hook, or use the magic loop method
2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc at the end of this round (12)
3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 6 times (18)
4-6: sc in each sc around (18)
7: [idec, sc in next 4 sc] 3 times (15)
8: sc in each sc around (15)
9: [idec, sc in next 3 sc] 3 times (12)
10-16: sc in each sc around (12)
Stuff legs lightly.
Body
Foundation row: ch 22, turn. hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn. hdc in each hdc across, ch 2, turn.
Repeat until you like the length of the body or for longer if you’re making a scarf.
sc evenly spaced around the entire body.
Attach the head and legs.
Enjoy!
[This pattern is for personal use only. Items made with this pattern may not be sold without my explicit permission. Please read the Terms & Conditions for further details.]
[…] Crochet Cat (how to) […]
I would like to make some for a cat shelter to sell and the $ goes towards.their upkeep. May I have permission to do so.
I love this. I have a black cat, Alex. This pattern would make a wonderful Black cat scarf.
Thank you
this is an amazing pattern. thank you so much for sharing. I made this for my son but i made it into a pillow. so i did everything the same but just made a scarf type length then sewed and stuffed it.. it didnt quite turn out the same as yours but its still cute i love it.. ty again 😀
Pictures or it didn’t happen 🙂 I’d love to see the result!
Hello Rina. I’ve been trying to send you a mail, but it doesn’t seem to be able to get through. I keep getting the message that the connexion is unavailable. I hope this gets through as I want to ask your permission to be able to sell the occasional Crochet Cat at a charity fundraiser. The cat that I made for myself got accidently mixed with items at a fundraiser last week and sold immediately. With a couple of friends we make items to sell at local fundraisers to get money for yarn and pay for postage to parcels to the Knit-a-Square charity in South Africa. We are not a commercial venture and you can check us out at knit-a-square.com on the Square Circle Forum under the members section: Valerie Zalewski. You’ll see Crochet Cat on the last photo I posted entitled Fundraising stand.
Just a little detail: I added a tail to my cat, a little thinner and longer than the legs, and unstuffed.
Hi Valerie,
I received your note and sent you a private response.
I saw this pattern and had to rush off and start it. I too was given a whole box of black, grey and white yarn. This is a perfect project for using it.
I’m so pleased that I can leave a direct comment here. I’m not into any of the social network sites and don’t wish to be. It makes it difficult to leave a direct comment on most sites. I’m happy that I can tell you that I really like your creations.
Thanks so much! I hope you continue to enjoy my blog 🙂
If it goes on being as interesting as it is now, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it for a long time.
[…] Crochet Cat (how to) […]