Crochet Cat: Free 8-Inch Kitty Pattern

A crochet cat is the friendliest little project you can make. With her round body, perky triangle ears, and curly tail, she sits up all by herself and looks adorable from every angle.

Below I am sharing everything about making one: the simple round-body construction, the low-sew assembly that keeps things easy, and the yarn choices that make her extra cuddly. At the end, you can grab my free crochet cat pattern to make your own.

Why a Crochet Cat Is the Perfect First Amigurumi

If you have never made amigurumi, a cat is the ideal place to start. The whole kitty is built from basic single crochet rounds with no complicated shaping, and the separate pieces are large enough to sew on without a struggle. Many crocheters make their very first toy as a cat.

She is also endlessly giftable. A crochet cat suits cat lovers of every age, from a toddler’s first soft toy to a coworker’s desk mascot. This low-sew crochet cat pattern from Cuddly Stitches Craft uses the same beginner-friendly construction.

The Anatomy of a Sitting Cat

A sitting cat is really just three shapes: a round body, two triangle ears, and a curly tail. Each one is simple on its own, and together they read unmistakably as a cat.

The Round Body

The body starts with a magic ring and grows through even increase rounds to about 36 stitches at its widest, then decreases back down. Work in a continuous spiral and mark the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place. Stuff firmly as you go, especially the bottom, so she sits upright without tipping. If you have made our crochet bunny, this shaping will feel like home.

The Triangle Ears

The ears are small triangles worked in just a few rows, then sewn to the top of the head. Keep them upright and slightly apart: ears set too wide read as a bear, while tall close-set ears read as a cat. A tiny pink inner ear stitched on with embroidery floss adds a sweet touch. The Cobweb the Cat pattern from Nicole Chase shows the same neat triangle ear shaping.

The Curly Tail

The tail is the detail that brings her to life. Work a simple chain, then single crochet back along it while working two stitches into each chain; the extra stitches force the tail to curl into a spring. Sew it to the back of the body so it peeks out to one side. A curly tail also helps her balance when she sits.

Yarn, Hook, and Size

Worsted-weight (#4) yarn is the best choice for a crochet cat. Acrylic is soft, washable, and comes in every cat color from classic grey to ginger to black. Use a US G-6 (4.0 mm) hook, one size smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stitches stay tight and the stuffing stays hidden.

My pattern finishes about 8 inches (20 cm) tall, sitting, which is a lovely huggable size. It uses roughly 100 to 150 g of the main color, so a single large skein is plenty, plus a small amount of pink for the inner ears and nose. For a tiny pocket-size kitty, work the same shaping in sport-weight yarn with a 2.5 mm hook.

Displaying and Gifting Your Kitty

A finished cat looks wonderful on a bookshelf, a nightstand, or perched on a stack of books. Pose her with her tail curled to one side and her ears perked up, and she looks ready to pounce. She also makes a sweet pincushion alternative for a sewing friend, as long as no pins go near the stuffing.

For gifting, make her in the recipient’s own cat’s colors for a personalized present that always gets a big reaction. Pair her with our crochet heart tucked into her paws for a Valentine’s gift. Cat amigurumi are steady sellers at craft fairs all year round.

Get the Free Pattern

Looking for a crochet cat pattern free to download? I wrote the complete Crochet Cat pattern as a printable PDF: the round sitting body, the triangle ears, the curly tail, and my tips for a clean embroidered face. It is free for our newsletter subscribers, so use the signup box at the top of this article to get your copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the finished crochet cat?
About 8 inches (20 cm) tall, sitting, when worked in worsted-weight yarn with a 4.0 mm hook.

What yarn is best for a crochet cat?
Worsted-weight (#4) acrylic in any cat color, plus a small amount of pink for the inner ears and nose.

What hook size do I need?
A US G-6 (4.0 mm) hook, slightly smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stuffing stays hidden.

How much yarn does one cat use?
Roughly 100 to 150 g of the main color, so one large skein is plenty.

How do I make the tail curl?
Work two single crochet into each chain stitch. The extra stitches force the tail into a springy curl.

Can a beginner crochet the cat?
Yes. It is all single crochet in spiral rounds with simple assembly. Rated easy.