DIY
Craft Projects
How To Make A Crochet Cat

How To Make A Crochet Cat

We love this cute little crochet cat - it's one kids or beginner adults can tackle with ease. Here's how.

1 x 50g ball – approx 95m (104yds) – Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK, 80% bamboo, 20% wool, in each of:

Yarn A: shade 128, tigger

Yarn B: shade 154, poppy

Yarn C: shade 134, babe (only very small amounts used, scraps of other yarns are fine to use here)

Alternative yarns: Any DK weight yarn will make the same-sized cat, but try other weights for different-sized toys

3.25mm crochet hook

Darning needle

Sewing needle and thread

Toy stuffing

Felt for ears

Two buttons for eyes

Oddments of yarn for embellishment

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Skill

This project is designed for kids but first-timers will need guidance from an adult. It's also perfect for beginner adults to have a go at.

Budget

A set of four crochet hooks costs about £6; a 50g ball of Debbie Bliss yarn costs around £4.50.

Time

Beginners should allow at least a long weekend to complete this project.

Step One: Make The Head

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6dc into first ch made, join rnd with a sl st.

Rnd 2: Work 2dc into each dc around, join rnd with a sl st. 12dc

Rnd 3: (Work 2dc into next st, 1dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 18dc

Step Two: Change To Yarn B

Rnd 4: (Work 2dc into next st, 2dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 24dc.

Rnd 5: (Work 2dc into next st, 3dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 30dc.

Step Three: Change To Yarn A

Rnd 6: (Work 2dc into next st, 4dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 36dc.

Work seven rnds straight in dc without increasing, continuing in alternate two-row stripes of yarns A and B.

Begin to decrease, continuing to work in stripes as established, as follows:

Rnd 14: (Dc2tog, 4dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 30dc.

Rnd 15: (Dc2tog, 3dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 24dc.

Step Four: Stuff The Head

Begin to stuff head from now.

Rnd 16: (Dc2tog, 2dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 18dc.

Rnd 17: (Dc2tog, 1dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 12dc.

Rnd 18: (Dc2tog) around, join rnd with a sl st. 6dc.

Fasten off yarn and sew up final hole to secure.

Step Five: Make The Body

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6dc into first ch made, join rnd with a sl st.

Rnd 2: Work 2dc into each dc around, join rnd with a sl st. 12dc

Rnd 3: (Work 3dc into next st, 1dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 18dc

Change to yarn B.

Rnd 4: (Work 2dc into next st, 2dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 24dc

Rnd 5: (work 2dc into next st, 3dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 30dc

Change to yarn A.

Rnd 6: (Work 2dc into next st, 4dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 36dc

Rnd 7: (Work 2dc into next st, 5dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 42dc

Change to yarn B.

Rnd 8: (Work 2dc into next st, 6dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 48dc

Work eight rnds straight in dc without increasing, continuing in alternate 2-row stripes of yarns A and B.

Begin to decrease, continuing to work in stripes as established, as follows:

Rnd 17: (Dc2tog, 6dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 42dc

Rnd 18: (Dc2tog, 5dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 36dc

Rnd 19: (Dc2tog, 4dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 30dc

Rnd 20: (Dc2tog, 3dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 24dc

Begin to stuff from now.

Rnd 21: (Dc2tog, 2dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 18dc

Rnd 22: (Dc2tog, 1dc) around, join rnd with a sl st. 12dc

Rnd 23: (Dc2tog) around, join rnd with a sl st. 6dc

Fasten off yarn and sew up final hole to secure.

Step Six: Make The Arms

(make two)

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 5dc into first ch made. Do not join rnd.

Work straight in dc in spirals on these 5 sts until arm is approx 2cm (3/4in) long. Fasten off yarn.

Step Seven: Make The Legs

(make two)

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 5dc into first ch made. Do not join rnd.

Work straight in dc in spirals on these 5 sts until leg is approx 2.5cm (1in) long. Fasten off yarn.

Step Eight: Make The Tail

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 5dc into first ch made. Do not join rnd.

Work straight in dc in spirals on these 5 sts until tail is approx 8cm (3in) long. Fasten off yarn.

Step Nine: Make The Nose

Using 3.25mm hook and yarn C, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6dc into first ch made, join rnd with a sl st.

Rnd 2: Work 2dc into each dc around, join rnd with a sl st. 12dc

Fasten off yarn.

Step 10: Finishing

Sew head to body, with first rnds you made facing front, so that stripes appear as circles on the face and tummy. Sew arms to body, just below neck. Sew legs to bottom of body. Sew on tail at back of body.

Sew nose circle to front of face and embroider nose, mouth and whiskers with simple straight stitches. Sew on buttons for eyes. Cut out felt ears and sew on top of head.

Exact tension isn't essential for this project but make sure that you crochet tightly so that the stuffing does not show.
Pieces are worked in the round, do not turn throughout. Head and body are worked in completed rounds. Arms, legs and tail are worked in spirals - for these, do not join rounds. Place a marker in first stitch of round to mark beginning of rounds and count rounds, moving marker up every round.
Here's a quick guide to the jargon used in this project: Ch=chain; Dc=double crochet; Rep=repeat; Rnd=round; Sl=slip; Sp=space/open mesh; Ss=slip stitch; St=stitch; Tr=treble crochet.
The finished cat should be around 15cm long.
A cute little tabby kitten that can be made to match your own moggie by working it in different colours, such as black and white for a tuxedo cat.