12 Crochet Cat Free Patterns
If you love cats, you already know a crochet kitty is the perfect project. It is cute, quick, and you can make it look just like your own cat with the right yarn colors. A small cat also makes a sweet gift for any cat lover in your life.
This list has 12 free crochet cat patterns from real designers. You will find tiny keychain cats, no-sew chenille cats, a sleepy striped cat, a loaf cat and a classic Japanese amineko. Every pattern is free to read online or download, and we list yarn, hook and skill level for each one.
Free Crochet Cat Pattern Ideas
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What You’ll Need
- Yarn in cat colors: gray, orange, black, white or cream
- Crochet hook set, 2 mm to 6 mm
- Safety eyes, 6–10 mm
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Yarn needle and embroidery floss for whiskers
- Keychain rings (for mini cats)
1. Easy Small Amigurumi Cat
Photo: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
This tiny cat is worked top-down in one spiral, and the tail is built right into the body, so there is less sewing. The paws are little bobble stitches and the ears and muzzle are sewn on. It is small enough to fit in a 3-inch gift box, which makes it a sweet stocking stuffer.
- Designer: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. No-Sew Crochet Cat
Photo: Ana / Little Crochet Farm
A chubby, fluffy cat in super bulky chenille, about 6.3 inches tall. It has a white face, bobble paws and an embroidered face, and the best part is that there is no sewing at all. The page has step-by-step photos for each part. If you hate sewing pieces together, start here.
- Designer: Ana / Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6) chenille
- Hook: 6 mm (J) plus 2 mm for details
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Mini Cat Keychain
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
This small single crochet cat has sewn-on stripes and a little tail. In cotton yarn it is about 2 inches tall, perfect for a keychain or bag charm. Make it in chenille and it grows to about 4 inches for a soft desk buddy. Simple shapes make it a good beginner project.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton or super bulky (#6) chenille
- Hook: 2.5 mm (cotton) or 5 mm (chenille)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Amigurumi Small Cat
Photo: Mari-Liis Lille / lilleliis
This standing cat is about 6 inches tall. The legs are joined into the body as you go, which keeps things neat and sturdy. You can add an optional striped top and a ruffled skirt to dress her up. It is a lovely choice for a doll-style cat that kids can play with.
- Designer: Mari-Liis Lille / lilleliis
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 3–3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Arturo the Sleepy Cat
Photo: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
Arturo is a long, striped cat with flat ears, little front legs and a sleepy embroidered face. He looks like he is napping in the sun. The stripes are worked in rounds, so you can use up scraps in any two colors. A calm, cozy cat for a shelf or a nursery.
- Designer: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Catitude Cat Plushie
Photo: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
A huggable cat about 6.5 inches tall that you can make in an afternoon. It has a whipstitched belly patch, a muzzle and safety eyes. It uses an affordable worsted yarn, so it is easy on the budget. A good pick when you want a quick, cute gift.
- Designer: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F-5)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Amineko Crocheted Cat
Photo: Nekoyama / MITE
The amineko is the classic Japanese crochet cat with a big round head and a simple body. The pattern is written round by round with charts, and the hands and feet are weighted with pellets so the cat sits nicely. It has been loved by crocheters for years and is a fun piece of amigurumi history.
- Designer: Nekoyama / MITE
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light fingering (#1)
- Hook: 2.75–3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Cat Keychain with Heart
Photo: SaniWools (on the CrazyPatterns blog)
This tabby cat head holds a little red heart, which makes it a sweet Valentine’s Day or friendship gift. It is about 6 cm (2.4 inches) with an embroidered face and a chain loop for keys or a bag. It is small, quick and great for using leftover cotton.
- Designer: SaniWools (on the CrazyPatterns blog)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Cotton (see pattern)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Easy Loaf Cat for Beginners
Photo: Solid and Marl, shared on Red Ted Art
Cat owners know the “loaf” pose well, and this striped cat nails it. It is made in single crochet with no magic ring, so it is very beginner friendly. Nylon whiskers add a fun detail. The pattern gives three yarn options, so you can make a tiny, medium or larger loaf cat.
- Designer: Solid and Marl, shared on Red Ted Art
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: 2-ply, 4-ply or Aran (three size options)
- Hook: 2 mm, 3 mm or 5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Realistic Cat Amigurumi
Photo: Stella / Stella’s Yarn Universe
This gray and white cat stands on four legs and looks much more like a real cat than a cartoon. The legs use back loop stitches and the belly is a separate piece. There is a video tutorial to help with the shaping. Choose this one when you are ready to step up your amigurumi skills.
- Designer: Stella / Stella’s Yarn Universe
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: DK or light worsted (#3) cotton
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Donut Cat
Photo: Anita / A Little Love Everyday
This cat is curled up into a round donut shape, like a cat sleeping on a cushion. It has a striped tail, legs and forehead with embroidered whiskers. The round shape makes it a fun pincushion, a desk toy or just a cozy decoration. Very cute in orange tabby colors.
- Designer: Anita / A Little Love Everyday
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport (#2)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Itty Little Simple Kitty
Photo: Selse613 (Ravelry)
As the name says, this kitty is simple. It is built from basic amigurumi shapes, which makes it a nice practice project if you are new to crochet toys. Once you have the basics, you can make a whole litter in different colors. Download it free on Ravelry.
- Designer: Selse613 (Ravelry)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free (Ravelry download; color-change directions sold separately)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First crochet cat? Start with #2 (no sewing) or #9 (no magic ring).
- Want a keychain or bag charm? Make #3 or #8. Both are tiny and quick.
- Making a gift for a cat lover? Try #5 or #6 and match the colors to their cat.
- Want a cat that looks real? Go for #10.
- Love classic amigurumi? Make the Japanese amineko, #7.
FAQ
How do I make a crochet cat look like my own cat?
Pick yarn that matches your cat’s main color, then add stripes, patches or a white face with color changes or sewn-on pieces. Patterns with stripes, like the loaf cat or Arturo, are easy to change. Embroider small details like a pink nose or white chin last.
What size hook should I use for a crochet cat?
For amigurumi, use a hook a little smaller than the yarn label says. This makes tight stitches so the stuffing does not show. With worsted yarn, many cat patterns use a 3.25 mm to 3.75 mm hook. Always follow the hook size in your pattern first.
How do I add whiskers to a crochet cat?
You can embroider whiskers with thin yarn or embroidery floss using straight stitches. Some designers use clear nylon thread for a more realistic look. For toys going to small children, embroidered whiskers are the safest choice, since they cannot be pulled out.
Choose your favorite kitty, pick your colors, and enjoy making a cat that never knocks anything off the table.