A good crochet cat pattern gives you more than a cute photograph: it helps you choose a shape, understand the construction and find instructions you can actually follow. These 14 free crochet cat amigurumi patterns range from tiny cotton kittens to broad velvet stuffies, with loaf-shaped cats, long-limbed characters and a few playful food-inspired designs in between.
Start with the silhouette you like, then look at the yarn and assembly involved. A small project can still have several pieces to sew, while a larger rounded cat may use a simpler shape. Each section below includes a project photo, an original description and a direct button to the creator’s free instructions or download page.
Prefer something practical for the home? Continue with our crochet cat patterns for home decor and small gifts, including bookmarks, coasters, pillows and decorative figures.
Find your next project
Use the list to jump directly to a model. Pattern buttons open a new tab, so you can keep this guide open while checking the creator’s instructions.
- Amos the Calico Cat Loaf
- Lily the Cat
- Chubby Cat
- Dumpling Kitty
- Itty Little Simple Kitty
- Small Cat with Joined Legs
- Playing Cats
- Calico, Tabby and Siamese Cats
- Amineko Crocheted Cat
- Pusheen Amigurumi
- Pusheen with Ice Cream
- Donut Cat
- Arturo the Sleepy Cat
- Bernat Fat Cat Stuffie
How to access the patterns
Most creators publish the free instructions directly on their websites and sell an optional ad-free PDF. For a free Ravelry or Yarnspirations pattern, use the download option on the linked page; signing in may be required on some platforms. The Covered in Cats blanket provides a free graph, while its fully written row-by-row PDF is paid. Always use the original instructions for stitch counts and materials.
1. Amos the Calico Cat Loaf
Amos is a compact cat loaf with tucked-in proportions, small ears and a sleepy expression. The low, rounded body gives it a calm appearance that works well on a shelf or as a small handmade gift. Off the Beaten Hook provides a calico version and a solid-color option, so you can decide how much color changing you want to tackle. Single crochet creates the main fabric, making the project approachable for a confident beginner who already understands increases, decreases and working in rounds.
- Project focus: A loaf-shaped cat with an optional calico palette.
- Yarn: DK yarn; sample uses cotton DK for the calico version.
- Pattern access: Free instructions on the designer’s blog; printable PDF is optional and paid.
Before you begin: Choose a solid color for your first version if you would like to focus on shaping before adding patches.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
2. Lily the Cat
Lily is a small, upright cat with simple facial features and an uncluttered silhouette. Mariska Vos shows how changing yarn can transform the same design from a miniature cotton amigurumi into a much larger plush version. That makes the pattern useful if you want a small decorative cat now and a softer-looking companion later. The free tutorial is beginner-oriented, with links to basic-stitch videos, and the compact project keeps the amount of crocheting manageable.
- Project focus: A tiny cat with a larger plush-yarn option.
- Yarn: Sport-weight cotton or the listed chenille alternative.
- Pattern access: Free written pattern online; printable PDF and book version are optional paid alternatives.
Before you begin: The cotton and chenille samples use different hooks and eye sizes. Follow the materials for the version you choose.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
3. Chubby Cat
This chubby cat gets its character from a rounded one-piece head-and-body shape, small paws and a few simple facial details. The compact silhouette looks cheerful in pastel yarn, but neutral colors can make it resemble a familiar household cat. The pattern uses small separate pieces for the ears, legs and tail, so it is a good way to practise neat amigurumi assembly without taking on a large toy. Embroidered markings provide an extra opportunity to personalize the finished cat.
- Project focus: A rounded cat with little paws and embroidered stripes.
- Yarn: Sport-weight cotton in a main and contrast color.
- Pattern access: Free instructions on A Little Love Everyday; optional printable pattern is paid.
Before you begin: Place the small pieces with pins before sewing them on so the cat’s face and paws look balanced.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
4. Dumpling Kitty
Dumpling Kitty has a plump body with a flat base, allowing the little cat to sit neatly on a desk or shelf. Its small ears and subtle markings keep the look simple, while the different yarn colors give each version a distinct personality. At roughly four inches tall in the suggested yarn, it is a manageable decorative project rather than a large plush. Sarah Sloyer’s design suits a maker who already understands basic amigurumi and wants to practise shaping a stable, neatly finished body.
- Project focus: A small cat with a flat base.
- Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn; original sample uses Vanna’s Choice.
- Pattern access: Free pattern through the current Amigurumi.com listing; choose its Get for free option.
Before you begin: Check the flat-base instructions carefully and add stuffing gradually so the cat can sit as intended.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
5. Itty Little Simple Kitty
Itty Little Simple Kitty was designed with early amigurumi practice in mind, using basic shapes to create a recognizable cat. The small body, ears, limbs and tail let you work on consistent rounds and neat assembly without committing to a large toy. A solid-color version keeps the project focused on those fundamentals. The designer’s free download covers the body parts, while detailed calico and tuxedo color-changing instructions are offered separately, so the free and paid options should not be confused.
- Project focus: A simple small cat built from basic amigurumi shapes.
- Yarn: Use the suggested yarn and hook information in the free PDF.
- Pattern access: Free basic PDF on Ravelry; detailed calico and tuxedo color-change instructions are paid extras.
Before you begin: Use the free solid-color directions first; do not assume the paid color-change instructions are included.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
6. Small Cat with Joined Legs
lilleliis’s Small Cat begins with legs that are joined into the body, giving you a tidy standing shape while reducing one part of the later assembly. The compact design has a rounded head, small arms and an embroidered face, with room to personalize the colors or add the suggested finishing details. The designer rates it easy, and the approximate fifteen-centimeter height makes it larger than a tiny charm while still keeping the project manageable.
- Project focus: A small upright cat with joined legs.
- Yarn: Cotton yarn; use the designer’s specified gauge and hook.
- Pattern access: Free instructions on lilleliis, with several language versions on the same page.
Before you begin: Review the leg-joining step before finishing the second leg, and place the face details before closing the head.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
7. Playing Cats
These Playing Cats have a low, lively pose that makes them feel like little animals ready to investigate or pounce. The black-and-white samples emphasize the clean silhouette, but the design also suits another simple palette. Their small scale makes them appealing as desk companions or modest handmade gifts. Little Bear Crochets publishes a free online version covering the project, while the premium PDF adds more photographs, extra explanations and language options. That distinction is useful if you want to follow the free instructions first.
- Project focus: Small cats in a playful, low pose.
- Yarn: DK cotton; sample uses Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK.
- Pattern access: Free online version; more detailed premium PDF is optional and paid.
Before you begin: Read the full assembly section before sewing the parts so the finished pose remains balanced.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
8. Calico, Tabby and Siamese Cats
Jess Huff’s cats use one recognizable toy shape with three different color treatments: tabby stripes, Siamese points and calico patches. The larger, standing silhouette makes them a more substantial gift than a tiny pocket cat, and the expressive embroidered nose gives each version its own character. The project is especially appealing if you want to model the colors on a real pet. Although the introduction is encouraging to beginners, the pattern card lists an intermediate skill level, so allow time for the shaping, assembly and color changes.
- Project focus: Three color variants; standing amigurumi.
- Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn; see each variant’s materials.
- Pattern access: Free online instructions and free PDF option on Jess Huff’s page.
Before you begin: Pick one variant before buying yarn. A calico, tabby and Siamese are three versions of this one pattern, not three separate projects.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
9. Amineko Crocheted Cat
Amineko has a deliberately relaxed shape, with long arms and legs that help create its familiar seated and lounging poses. The appeal is as much in the expression as in the body: a few embroidered facial lines can make the finished cat seem sleepy, thoughtful or quietly amused. This is a more involved assembly project than a rounded loaf, but the original instructions include diagrams beside the written directions. The button below leads directly to Nekoyama’s English-accessible tutorial instead of sending you through a pattern directory.
- Project focus: A classic cat with long limbs and an expressive face.
- Yarn: Use the yarn and corresponding hook guidance on the original pattern.
- Pattern access: Free instructions and diagrams on the original web_MITE site.
Before you begin: Read the designer’s personal-use conditions and the stuffing guidance before beginning.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
10. Pusheen Amigurumi
Jessica Felton’s Pusheen-inspired cat has the familiar rounded body, small ears and compact features associated with the character. The simple outline lets the facial details and stripes carry much of the recognition, making careful placement more important than adding lots of accessories. It is a useful project for someone who enjoys character-inspired crochet and wants a standalone cat without the extra work of a scene or costume. The designer offers the pattern as a free Ravelry download.
- Project focus: A round Pusheen-inspired amigurumi.
- Yarn: DK/light-worsted yarn according to the designer’s listing.
- Pattern access: Free PDF through the designer’s Ravelry listing.
Before you begin: Read the pattern and character-use conditions before making gifts or planning any commercial use.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
11. Pusheen with Ice Cream
Roxy adds a small ice cream to a rounded Pusheen-inspired cat, turning a familiar character shape into a miniature scene. The accessory introduces contrasting colors and finer details, so this project involves more finishing than a plain character cat. It is particularly enjoyable if you like making tiny food amigurumi alongside animals. The original page includes the cat, the ice-cream elements and assembly instructions, with the sample measuring about seventeen centimeters tall.
- Project focus: A Pusheen-inspired cat holding a tiny ice cream.
- Yarn: DK yarn for the cat; lighter yarn for the ice-cream details.
- Pattern access: Free fan-art instructions on Roxy’s Crochet; review the designer’s usage conditions.
Before you begin: Keep the yarn weights for the cat and accessory in mind; the smaller ice cream needs proportions that suit the body.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
12. Donut Cat
Donut Cat brings together a rounded ring shape and recognizable cat details, creating a small amigurumi with a deliberately unusual silhouette. The central opening is what makes it stand apart from an ordinary loaf or pudgy cat. Tiny ears, paws, a tail and embroidered markings finish the character without overwhelming the ring-shaped body. This is a fun decorative choice if you like playful shapes and have already made simple amigurumi in continuous rounds.
- Project focus: A cat curled into a doughnut-shaped body.
- Yarn: Sport-weight yarn with a 2.5 mm hook in the original.
- Pattern access: Free written pattern on Anitha Domacin’s Paint It Colorful blog.
Before you begin: Follow the joining and stuffing stages carefully so the opening remains distinct and the body looks evenly shaped.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
13. Arturo the Sleepy Cat
Arturo has a long, resting silhouette and an embroidered sleepy face, with bands of color that give him the look of a cat in a striped outfit. The body shape makes him feel quite different from the compact cats earlier in the collection, and the simple expression keeps the finished design calm rather than busy. Elisa labels the pattern beginner level, but you will still need to follow shaping and attach the separate details carefully. It is a lovely decorative gift for someone who enjoys quieter, characterful amigurumi.
- Project focus: A long sleepy cat with a striped outfit.
- Yarn: Medium-weight cotton in beige and accent colors.
- Pattern access: Free instructions on Elisa’s Crochet; illustrated ad-free PDF is optional and paid.
Before you begin: Plan the stripe palette before beginning and check each color transition against the designer’s directions.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
14. Bernat Fat Cat Stuffie
Bernat Fat Cat Stuffie has a wide, rounded body that makes it feel closer to a small character cushion than a narrow toy. The velvet yarn softens the surface and gives the original a plush appearance, while contrasting features provide the cat’s expression. Yarnspirations rates the project easy and lists a finished height of about ten inches, so it is a useful option when you want a larger cat without building a long-limbed figure. The publisher provides a free pattern PDF.
- Project focus: A broad, cushion-like cat with a soft velvet finish.
- Yarn: Bernat Baby Velvet and Bernat Crushed Velvet.
- Pattern access: Free PDF from Yarnspirations; choose Free Download on the linked page.
Before you begin: Velvet yarn can hide stitches. Use a marker and check the pattern’s gauge and shaping instead of relying on appearance alone.
Free instructions available through the button above. Opens in a new tab.
Choose a cat pattern you will enjoy finishing
Start with the assembly, not just the size
A tiny cat may have separate ears, paws and a tail, while a loaf may use a simpler main shape. Read the entire finishing section before choosing a project. If you prefer fewer separate pieces, compare our no-sew chubby cat pattern ideas.
Choose yarn that suits the intended look
Smooth cotton makes small stitches and embroidered details easier to see. Velvet and chenille create a softer surface but can hide stitch placement. Follow the selected pattern’s yarn and hook guidance before making a larger substitute version.
Personalize one detail at a time
Try a different palette, embroidered expression or set of markings while keeping the original construction unchanged. Photograph your placement before sewing so you can judge the face and limbs together.
Frequently asked questions
Which pattern should I try first?
Lily and Itty Little Simple Kitty are presented by their designers as accessible first projects. Amos is suitable for a confident beginner. Choose one after checking the required stitches and how many pieces need attaching; beginner labels do not replace that check.
Are all fourteen cat patterns free?
Each linked creator or publisher offers a free version. Some provide online instructions, others a free download. Optional premium PDFs may include extra photographs or detailed color-change guidance that is not part of the free version.
Can I change the yarn or finished size?
A different yarn and hook can change the size, stitch definition and amount of stuffing required. Use any alternative-yarn notes supplied by the designer and check that the fabric is dense enough to hold its filling.
Can I sell the finished cats?
Check the individual designer’s terms before selling. A free pattern does not automatically permit commercial use, and character-inspired projects may have additional restrictions.
Keep exploring cat crochet
- Ten free cat projects for the home and small gifts, plus one paid bonus
- Browse our main crochet cat pattern collection
- Explore the Hello Kitty Snowman project for seasonal inspiration
See all related posts in the Crochet Cat Patterns category.
