The itty bitty crochet kitty is the cutest little crochet cat pattern. It works up very quickly (great for beginners!) and would make the sweetest gift for any cat lover.
This kitty crochet project is perfect if you are looking to take a dive into making amigurumi. If you are new to amigurumi, head over to my tips for making amigurumi to ensure your project turns out perfectly.
You can personalize your crochet kitty too by adding stripes or spots, changing up the colors or even using fluffy novelty yarn!
Crochet cat pattern requirements
DK/light worsted cotton* (Main body color as well as optional contrast color if adding stripes)
3.25mm crochet hook (larger cat)
2.75mm crochet hook (smaller cat)
Yarn needle
Stuffing
Embroidery cotton for sewing facial details (black, white, pink, tan)
Safety eyes (optional)
*Yarn suggestions
Vinni’s colors Nikkim: 50g (1.75oz), 119m (130yds), 100% cotton, double knit
Paintbox yarns Cotton DK: 50g (1.75oz), 125m (137yds), 100% cotton, 8 ply
La mia Mini Cottony: 25g (0.88oz), 60m (65yds), 100% cotton, double knit
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK: 80g (2.8oz), 250m (273yds), 100% cotton
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Notes:
- This crochet cat pattern is written using US crochet terms. If you are unfamiliar with any of the abbreviations, please visit the crochet terms page.
- Have a look at my tips for crocheting amigurumi before you start this project!
- It’s also worth looking at my tutorial for the magic ring if you are unfamiliar with how to make one.
- Some parts of this pattern are worked in continuous rounds. Don’t slip stitch to close the ring unless instructed to do so!
- A low cost, ad free, printable version of this pattern is available in my online stores.
More Itty Bitty Kitty crochet cat patterns
Crochet Cat Pattern
Body
Rnd 1. Mr 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2. sc 2 in each (12)
Rnd 3. [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18)
Rnd 4. [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (24)
Rnd 5. [sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (30)
Rnd 6. [sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (36)
Rnd 7 – 8. sc around (36)
Rnd 9. [sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog] repeat around (30)
Rnd 10 – 12. Sc around (30)
Rnd 13. [sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog] repeat around (24)
Rnd 14 – 17. sc around (24)
Rnd 18. [sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] repeat around (18)
Rnd 19. sc around (18)
Stuff. (*If you are adding safety eyes, do so now!)
Rnd 20. Hold the top two edges together and crochet through both sides.
ch1, dc into the first st, sc into the next 7 sts, dc into the last st. Bind off and weave in ends.
Tail:
Rnd 1. Mr 5 sc (5)
Rnd 2. 2 sc in each (10)
Rnd 3. sc around (10)
Rnd 4. [sc2tog, sc in next 3], repeat (8)
Rnd 5 – 6. sc around (8)
Rnd 7. [sc2tog, sc in next 2] repeat (6)
Stuff the end of the tail lightly.
Rnd 8 – 15. sc around (6)
Bind off and leave a tail for joining. No need to add more stuffing!
If you want to add stripes, change color every 2 – 3 rounds.
You can have great fun adding character to your little kitty!
The eyes are stitched in place first, approximately 1 – 2 stitches apart and 5 rows down from the top. Have a look at this tutorial for how to embroider eyes onto your kitty.
*You can also use safety eyes, but make sure to attach them before you do the final row!
Stitch the ear details and nose in pink. Add cute little whiskers in a softly contrasting color and stitch any other details (such as stripes on the back). Stitch the tail in place. Give your kitty lots of little cuddles!
More Itty Bitty Kitty patterns!
If you loved this Itty Bitty Kitty crochet cat pattern, why not check out my other free and premium patterns over on the patterns page (including an adorable Christmas hat for your kitty!). Happy stitching!
Yours in craft,
Caitie x
Not sure how to reply to a comment but that does help and I will definitely try that! Thank you much
Hello if I want to adapt this to make it a larger size , how many rounds would you recommend adding? I was thinking about 12-16 inch in size thank
You!
hmmm, that’s a bit tricksy because if you simply add lots of rounds, you will end up with a long and skinny cat, rather than an overall bigger itty bitty kitty. I’d suggest using bulkier yarn, or yarn held together and going up a few hook sizes to increase the overall size. You can add in a few extra rows to help it along a bit. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hey Caitie!! Thank you so much for making this pattern; a lot of friends and I have incredibly enjoyed making our little creations.
I wanted to ask if it was alright if I sold the cats that I made with this pattern (with credit, of course).
Thank you again :D!!
So glad you have enjoyed the pattern! You are more than welcome to make for sale. Happy stitching 🙂
Thank you for the free pattern. These are so cute, I made two of them and the second one was much more easier, but they both turned out okay. I am sure the pattern will become a favorite with many.
Thanks… ~~~Peace~~~
Unfortunately there are quite a few Amazon Kindle books being sold which were “written” by a variety of other authors that incorporate these photos and this pattern. Avoid buying cheap Amazon crochet patterns or at a minimum take the time to be sure that the person getting paid for them has the right to publish them! There’s a reason why some of them are so cheap.
Thank you for this Sue! I completely agree. Those “books” have pirated free patterns and photographs (which they are prohibited from doing based on the policies of this website. They have not been given permission at all!). It is such a shame… I so appreciate that there are many more honest crafters out there though!
Hi this is so cute. Was I supposed to do the french knot eyes before I closed up the cat? I didn’t do that. any way to do them after it is stuffed and sewn closed?
So glad you like the kitty! You can sew the eyes on afterwards. I usually insert my threaded needle from the back of the cat, pull through and leave a tail hanging at the back. Work your french knot/embroidered eyes, then pull the thread back through the body and trim off both tails. You can weave it through the body a few times to secure the thread a bit more too. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for writing this pattern! I am really enjoying making my little kitty! It’s my first amigurumi attempt and I can’t believe how well it has turned out. I am making it for my cat-liver friend as a Christmas bauble, found it by searching online and it’s just PERFECT so thank you so much! Even the Santa hat!!
Hi! I love this pattern and have had a coworker ask if i can make one that looks like her recently deceased cat. How do I add a white belly to this pattern so it looks like her kitty? Just trial and error?
So glad that you like the pattern! And how lovely of you to gift on to someone who has lost their kitty. So kind of you! I think the easiest and neatest way to add a white tummy patch would be to cut one out of felt or fabric and stitch it on. Alternatively you could crochet a small oval and stitch that on. You can work a white patch into the stitches as you go, but that involves quite a bit of counting and some redesigning to figure out the placement! Let me know if that helps.
Hello, how much yarn does this need? Would a 15g ball of amigurumi yarn be enough? Thanks
It may be a little tight, depending on your tension, but it should be ok!