EVERY CROCHET Amigurumi 26 rounds No account, no download
A small amigurumi cat pattern in single crochet
A small amigurumi cat worked in single crochet (UK double crochet); US and UK stitch terms given throughout.
- Skill
- Confident beginner
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
Confident beginner
What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Worsted
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
4-6 hours
What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.
About this pattern
This is a small amigurumi crochet cat, about 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall, made in worsted weight yarn with a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook, worked almost entirely in single crochet (UK double crochet). The body and head are shaped in continuous rounds; ears, legs, and tail are crocheted separately, stuffed, and sewn on. Embroidered eyes replace plastic safety eyes when the toy is for a child under three.
This pattern produces a small amigurumi cat worked almost entirely in single crochet (UK: double crochet), the dense stitch family that gives amigurumi its firm, smooth surface. The fabric that single crochet produces holds stuffing in place without gaps showing through, which is why it is the default choice for small stuffed figures like this one. At roughly 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall, the finished cat is compact enough to sit on a shelf or be handled as a small toy.
The body is built from the bottom up in continuous rounds, increasing through the first four rounds before working even to the top, and the head follows the same increase pattern on a smaller scale. Legs, ears, and tail are crocheted separately, stuffed where needed, and sewn to the main pieces once all parts are complete. Working head and body in one continuous spiral avoids a seam line across the most visible surfaces, while finishing the smaller limbs individually keeps shaping simple.
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn in main cat color: approximately 100 yards (91 meters)
- Small amounts of contrast yarn for details
- 3.5 mm crochet hook (US E-4)
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
- Embroidery thread for facial details
- Scissors
The list is the pattern's own wording.
Instructions
Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.
Special Stitch Explanation
Invisible decrease Invisible decrease: Insert the hook into the front loop only of the next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over again, and complete a single crochet. This creates a smoother decrease line.
Body
Work in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
- Round 1
Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. (6)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 2
Inc in each stitch around. (12)
Key1
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- Round 3
(Sc in next stitch, inc) repeat 6 times. (18)
Key2
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 4
(Sc in next 2 stitches, inc) repeat 6 times. (24)
Key2
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- sc
- Single crochet
- Rounds 5–10
Sc in each stitch around. (24)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 11
(Sc in next 2 stitches, dec) repeat 6 times. (18)
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 12
Sc in each stitch around. (18)Begin stuffing firmly.
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 13
(Sc in next stitch, dec) repeat 6 times. (12)
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 14
Dec around. (6)
Key1
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
FO and close opening.
Head
- Round 1
Make a magic ring and crochet 6 sc. (6)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 2
Inc around. (12)
Key1
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- Round 3
(Sc in next stitch, inc) repeat 6 times. (18)
Key2
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 4
(Sc in next 2 stitches, inc) repeat 6 times. (24)
Key2
- inc
- Increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
- sc
- Single crochet
- Rounds 5–8
Sc in each stitch around. (24)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 9
(Sc in next 2 stitches, dec) repeat 6 times. (18)
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 10
(Sc in next stitch, dec) repeat 6 times. (12)Stuff lightly.
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Round 11
Dec around. (6)
Key1
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
FO and close.
Ear (Make 2)
- Row 1
Ch 5.
Key1
- ch
- Chain
- Row 2
Starting in second chain from hook, sc across. Turn. (4)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Row 3
Dec, sc in next 2 stitches. Turn. (3)
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Row 4
Dec, sc in next stitch. Turn. (2)
Key2
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
- sc
- Single crochet
- Row 5
Dec. (1)
Key1
- dec
- Decrease, single crochet two stitches together
FO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Leg (Make 4)
- Round 1
Make a magic ring with 6 sc. (6)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Rounds 2–4
Sc in each stitch around. (6)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
FO and leave a sewing tail.
Tail
- Round 1
Make a magic ring with 5 sc. (5)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
- Rounds 2–8
Sc in each stitch around. (5)
Key1
- sc
- Single crochet
FO and leave a long sewing tail.
Making up
- Step 1Sew the head securely onto the top center of the body.
- Step 2Attach ears evenly on both sides of the head.
- Step 3Sew the four legs underneath the body.
- Step 4Attach the tail to the back side of the body.
- Step 5Embroider eyes, nose, and whiskers using yarn or embroidery thread.
- Step 6Weave in all loose ends securely.
Notes from the pattern
- Use a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook consistently; this smaller-than-usual hook for worsted yarn tightens the stitches so stuffing does not show through the fabric.
- Since the rounds are worked continuously without joining, move a stitch marker to the start of the new round each time, particularly through the increase rounds where miscounting is easiest.
- Keep single crochet tension tight and even throughout; loose stitches on a piece this size let fiberfill peek through between stitches.
- Stuff the body and head gradually in small amounts rather than all at once, since the opening narrows quickly on a piece only about 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall and late overstuffing can distort the final rounds.
- Gauge: approximately 18 single crochet stitches by 20 rounds in 4 inches (10 cm). Exact gauge is not critical for an amigurumi toy, but matching it roughly keeps the finished cat close to the stated 5 inch (12.5 cm) height.
The essentials
- Rounds
- 26
- Parts
- 6
- Level
- Confident beginner
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Yarn
- Worsted
Stitches you will use
- Working in rounds The body and head are worked without joining or turning; comfort with continuous spiral crochet is needed throughout.
- Placing a stitch marker Move the marker to the first stitch of each new round so you don't lose track of where a round starts.
- Making increases Shapes the body and head through the opening rounds (6, 12, 18, 24 stitches) by working 2 sc into the same stitch.
- Making decreases Narrows the body, head, and ear tip by single crocheting two stitches together, or using the invisible decrease variation.
- Stuffing crochet shapes Fiberfill is added gradually in small amounts to the body, head, legs, and tail so the shapes stay smooth and evenly rounded.
- Sewing pieces together Attaches the head, ears, legs, and tail to the body using the sewing tail left after fastening off each piece.
Troubleshooting
Loose stitches
Use a smaller hook or adjust your tension to prevent stuffing from showing.
Uneven shaping
Count every round and keep the stitch marker in place.
Loose facial features
Secure embroidery knots inside the head before closing.
Lumpy stuffing
Add small amounts of fiberfill gradually and shape as you work.
Substituting yarn
- Cotton blend, worsted weight
- Gives a more structured, decorative cat with crisper stitch definition.
- Acrylic yarn, worsted weight
- Gives a softer, plush-style finished cat.
- Cotton-acrylic blend, worsted weight
- A suitable middle option between a structured decorative cat and a softer plush-style finish.
Washing and care
- Amigurumi projects usually do not require traditional blocking, but gentle shaping can improve the final appearance. After assembly, smooth the stitches with your fingers and adjust the stuffing until the body looks evenly rounded.
- Hand wash the finished cat in cool water with a mild soap, gently squeezing rather than wringing, and reshape the body and ears while still damp before leaving it to air dry completely.
- Keep the cat away from direct heat sources such as radiators or tumble dryers, since high heat can flatten acrylic fibres or shrink cotton blends and distort the rounded shape.
FAQs
Questions
What does "sc" mean in this pattern, and is it the same in UK terms?
"Sc" stands for single crochet, the US term used throughout the pattern. The equivalent UK stitch name is double crochet, so UK crocheters should read every "sc" instruction as "dc."
Can this cat be made larger than the finished 5 inch (12.5 cm) size?
Yes; using a thicker yarn with a larger hook while keeping the stitches tight produces a taller cat, and for a smaller version, choose a lightweight yarn and a smaller crochet hook. The proportions stay correct as long as tension remains dense enough to hold the stuffing.
Is this pattern suitable for a baby or toddler?
It can be, but plastic safety eyes should be left out and embroidered eyes used instead to remove any small parts that could come loose. All other details, including ears and tail, should also be checked for secure attachment before giving it to a young child.
How much yarn is actually needed to finish one cat?
About 100 yards (91 metres) of the main colour yarn covers the body, head, legs, ears, and tail, with only small amounts of contrast yarn needed for details. Embroidery thread is used separately for the facial features.
Why are the head and body worked in continuous rounds while the smaller pieces are not joined?
Continuous rounds avoid a seam running across the most visible surfaces of the body and head. The ears, legs, and tail are small enough that a visible seam is not a concern, so working them flat or sewn on is more practical.
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.