Looking for a delightful and simple crochet project? Crave the charm of a handmade cat without the fuss of sewing? You’ve landed in the right spot! This adorable little crochet cat pattern is absolutely free and designed to be no-sew, making it ideal for crocheters of all skill levels, especially beginners and devoted cat enthusiasts.
Crochet cat pattern.
This pattern was born from the creative prompts of AmiguruMay, an inspiring Instagram challenge held each May. When Day 10’s theme was “Cats or dogs,” my lifelong affection for cats made the choice clear. My goal was to craft a crochet cat pattern that was not only easy to follow but also completely no-sew, streamlining the crafting process for maximum enjoyment.
Designing a no-sew pattern required careful planning to ensure all elements aligned perfectly. While the pattern includes notes to guide you through potential minor adjustments, remember that even slight variations can give your crochet cat a unique, endearing personality.
For this pattern, I opted for chenille yarn. Its soft, fuzzy texture lends a lovely cuddly feel to the finished cat. However, it’s worth noting that chenille yarn can make stitch visibility a bit challenging, so beginners might find it easier to start with a yarn that offers greater stitch definition.
Grey crochet cat sitting on some yarn.
Explore More Free No-Sew Crochet Patterns
If you adore this free crochet cat pattern and the ease of no-sew amigurumi, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other free patterns designed with the same no-sew approach:
Free No-Sew Whale Crochet Pattern
Free No-Sew Chick Crochet Pattern
Free No-Sew Flower Pot Crochet Pattern
Free Crochet Cat Pattern: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to start crocheting your free cat? Let’s gather your materials and dive into the pattern!
Materials You’ll Need
- DK weight chenille yarn in grey (e.g., DMC Happy Chenille in Hefalump) – perfect for a soft, cuddly cat.
- 3mm crochet hook – adjust hook size based on your yarn choice to maintain tight stitches.
- 4 ply yarn in black or black embroidery floss – for adding delicate facial features.
- 5mm safety eyes – or embroider eyes for a child-friendly version.
- Polyester fiberfill – for stuffing your crochet cat to the desired plumpness.
- Stitch marker – to keep track of rounds, especially helpful with chenille yarn.
- Yarn needle – for weaving in ends and adding the tail.
- Scissors – for cutting yarn.
Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (2 single crochet in the same stitch)
- FLO – front loop only
- invdec – invisible decrease (invisible single crochet decrease)
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- pc – popcorn stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/s – stitch/es
- […] – repeat the instructions in brackets
- (…) – indicates stitch count at end of round
Special Crochet Stitches
Popcorn stitch (pc): Create a textured element for the paws. Work 4 double crochet stitches in the same stitch. Remove hook, insert it under both loops of the first dc of the group, grab the dropped loop, and pull through. Chain 1 to close the popcorn stitch securely.
Helpful Crochet Resources
If you are new to amigurumi or need a refresher on basic techniques, here are some useful resources:
- [Magic Ring Tutorial](link to a magic ring tutorial) – for starting rounds in amigurumi.
- [Invisible Decrease Tutorial](link to an invisible decrease tutorial) – for smooth decreases in amigurumi.
- [Basic Crochet Stitches Guide](link to a basic crochet stitches guide) – to review single crochet, increase, decrease etc.
Finished Size of Crochet Cat
The finished crochet cat will measure approximately 2.5 inches (6.5cm) in length. Keep in mind that the final size can vary slightly based on your crochet tension and the materials you choose.
Gauge for Crochet Cat
Gauge is not crucial for this pattern. The most important aspect is to use a hook size that complements your chosen yarn, creating stitches tight enough to prevent the stuffing from showing through. Adjust hook size as needed to achieve a dense fabric.
Pattern Notes for Crocheting Your Free Cat
- Continuous Spirals: The cat pieces are worked in continuous spirals, starting with a chain 2 or magic ring. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
- No-Sew Design: This pattern is entirely no-sew, with ears and feet integrated during the crocheting process, and only the tail attached at the end.
- Starting Chain: A chain 2 start is used for ease with chenille yarn. Feel free to substitute with a magic ring if you prefer a tighter start.
- Popcorn Stitch Placement: Popcorn stitches form the feet. In the subsequent round, single crochet into the top of each popcorn stitch.
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Free Crochet Cat Pattern Instructions
Let’s start crocheting your adorable free cat!
Cat Body (Grey Yarn)
Rounds 1-6: Building the Head and Body
- R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (6 sts)
- R2: [Inc] x6 (12 sts)
- R3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
- R4: Sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24 sts)
- R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)
- R6: [Sc] x30 (30 sts)
Round 7: Creating the Ears
Note: This round forms the cat’s ears using front loop only stitches.
- R7: 10 sc, FLO hdc, [dc, tr, dc] in FLO of next st, FLO hdc, 4 sc, FLO hdc, [dc, tr, dc] in FLO of next st, FLO hdc, 10 sc (30 sts)
Rounds 8-9: Adding Front Feet
Note: Round 8 incorporates back loops from ear round and begins front feet. Adjust popcorn stitch placement for alignment with ears.
- R8: 28 sc, pc, sc (29 sc + 1 pc)
- R9: 4 sc, pc, 25 sc (29 sc + 1 pc)
Pause here to add the face details!
Adding Facial Features:
Use black yarn or embroidery floss to embroider a nose and mouth. The nose is positioned over the top of Round 1. Insert safety eyes between Rounds 3 and 4, approximately 1 stitch apart from the nose, ensuring they are level.
Close up of a grey crochet cat being held up.
Rounds 10-14: Body Length
- R10-14: [Sc] x30 (30 sts) 5 rounds
Round 15: Adding Back Feet
Note: Round 15 adds back feet. Adjust popcorn stitch placement to align with front feet.
- R15: Pc, 5 sc, pc, 23 sc (28 sc + 2 pc)
Rounds 16-20: Closing the Body
- R16: [Sc] x30 (30 sts)
- R17: [3 sc, invdec] x6 (24 sts)
Start stuffing firmly with fiberfill and continue to stuff as you proceed. - R18: Sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] x5, sc (18 sts)
- R19: [Sc, invdec] x6 (12 sts)
- R20: [Invdec] x6 (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Pull through the last stitch. Weave the yarn tail through the front loop only of the final round and pull to close the opening. Hide the yarn end inside the cat.
Attaching the Crochet Cat Tail
Center the tail behind the ears. Mark the center stitch between Rounds 17 and 18. Join yarn in the stitch directly next to the marker.
Back view of grey crochet cat showing where to attach the tail.
- Ch 7, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Pull through last stitch. Use a yarn needle to bring the tail down into the next stitch over on the cat’s body. Weave in all yarn ends securely.
Not ready to crochet now? Pin it for later!
Pin this Free Cat Crochet Pattern for Later
Grey crochet cat sitting on a wood round, text overlay reads:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a different yarn weight?
Yes, you can definitely use different yarn weights. However, keep in mind that using a different yarn will affect the finished size of your crochet cat. You may also need to adjust your crochet hook size and the size of safety eyes accordingly.
Do I have to use safety eyes?
No, you don’t need to use safety eyes. Embroidered eyes can be a charming and safe alternative, especially if the crochet cat is intended for young children. Simple embroidered eyes can add a sweet touch.
Is this crochet cat pattern safe for children?
This crochet cat is generally safe. However, safety eyes are not recommended for children under 3 years due to potential choking hazards. Additionally, chenille yarn can sometimes shed slightly. If making this for a very young child, consider embroidering the eyes and using a tightly spun cotton or acrylic yarn instead of chenille.
Explore More Free Crochet Animal Patterns
Once you’ve crocheted your free cat, why not expand your collection with more free crochet animal patterns? Explore our website for a wide variety of adorable amigurumi and crochet projects perfect for gifting or decorating your home.
Show off Your Crochet Cat!
Did you create this free crochet cat pattern? Share a photo of your finished creation on social media and tag us @stitchbyfay. We absolutely love seeing your unique versions!
Questions or Need Help? Join Our Crochet Community!
We hope you thoroughly enjoyed this free crochet cat pattern. For any questions, to share your progress, or simply to connect with fellow crochet enthusiasts, join the Stitch by Fay Community Facebook group. It’s a wonderful space to share, ask, and support each other in our crochet journeys.
This pattern is for personal use only. It is not permitted to copy, reproduce, alter, publish, or distribute this pattern in any form. If you wish to share this pattern, please link directly to it; do not repost it on your own site. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern in small quantities. Please do not use our product photos as your own sales images.
