Free Cat Crochet Pattern - Calico, Tabby & Siamese

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How to crochet a cat

This amigurumi cat has been one of my most requested free animal crochet patterns for years now, and I’m so glad I was finally able to make one! This pattern comes in 3 color variations: a tabby cat, a siamese cat, and a calico cat. Go wild and make a whole litter of kittens!

The first step is to crochet the ears. Next you’ll crochet the head, and the ears will be crocheted in as you go. Then you’ll crochet all the limbs and tail, and those will be attached as you crochet the body.

A nearly no-sew cat crochet pattern

I love that this pattern requires such little assembly. The only sewing you’ll have to do is attaching the head to the body. Less time assembling means more time for the part we all love: the crocheting! 🧶

This cat crochet pattern is great for beginners

As long as you know the basic stitches of amigurumi (single crochet, increase and invisible decrease), you should be able to complete this pattern easy-peasy. I’ve included video tutorials for all the tricky parts!

This cat pattern is great for commissions and craft fairs

This crocheted kitty works up incredibly fast, which will maximize your profit. Unlike my lion crochet pattern where you must manually attach hundreds of strands for the mane (😵), there are very few embellishments you’ll need to add – just embroider a nose, and if you really want to put it over the top, you can add some whiskers with fishing line.

Even though my patterns are fairly large and cuddle-sized, I was able to finish each cat within a day. The siamese version definitely works up the fastest because of the minimal color changes!

Toby the Tabby Cat

Height: 14" standing
Skill level: Intermediate
Terms: US 🇺🇸

Hear meowt, Toby the Tabby has a bit of a cattitude, but he’s just kitten around. Once you hiss and make up, he’ll make the purrfect feline friend.

Supplies

Yarn (acrylic, weight 4) – 235 total yards

White – 59 yards (Mary Maxim Starlette Yarn – White)
Pink – 4 yards (Mary Maxim Starlette Yarn – Pale Petal Pink)
Light Gray – 143 yards (Mary Maxim Starlette Yarn – Light Grey)
Dark Gray – 29 yards (Mary Maxim Starlette Yarn – Medium Grey)

Notes

Abbreviations

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
*sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks(*) the indicated number of times.
{P+LG} – color-change increase: complete two single crochets within the same stitch. The first single crochet should be in pink, and the second single crochet should be in light gray.
(sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern.

General Instructions

This pattern is worked in one continuous spiral.
Use a stitch marker to keep track of where one round ends and the next begins. I prefer to place my stitch marker in the last stitch of the round.
Unless the pattern indicates otherwise, start the next round with the same color the previous round ended with.

Recommended Sequence
Here are the steps to create your cat, in order:

Crochet the Ears
Crochet the Head
Crochet the Legs
Crochet the Tail
Crochet the Arms
Crochet the Body
Attach the Head to the Body
Embroider the Nose
Add Whiskers

Crochet Video Tutorials

Head: Round 12 – Marking Stitches for the Eyes

Crochet Cat Tabby Free Amigurumi Pattern Eye Marker Tutorial

Between rounds 11 and 12, you are going to insert 2 markers to show you where to place your safety eyes at a later step.

There should be 18 stitches between the markers (counted on round 11) as shown in the photo.

You will leave the stitch markers in place as you crochet rounds 13 – 28, so I recommend using strands of yarn to mark these stitches, ensuring they’re easy to crochet around.

Use a yarn needle to insert each strand to mark your stitches.

Head: Round 19 – Attaching the Ears

Note: This video shows a lion, but the technique is the same.

Since this pattern indicates in which exact stitches of the round you’ll be attaching each ear, you do not have to use stitch markers as shown in the video.

When aligning each ear, make sure the pink side is facing down. In round 19, the parentheses indicate where you should attach each ear.

The base of each ear has 10 stitches and each set of parentheses contains 10 stitches, so crochet each ear to the head stitch-for-stitch.

At the end of round 19, the ears should be centered above the snout. If your ears appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the ears as necessary.

Indenting the Eyes

Note: This video shows a unicorn, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.

Cut a strand of yarn approximately 18″ long. Tie a large, secure knot in one end and thread the other end through your yarn needle.

Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where you’ll be placing your safety eyes (marked with strands of yarn).

Pull your strand of yarn taut, which will create indents. Fasten off with a knot and hide your yarn tail inside the head.

Body: Round 7 – Attaching the Legs

Note: This video shows a llama, but the technique is the same for this pattern.

Since this pattern indicates in which exact stitches of the round you’ll be attaching each leg, you do not have to use stitch markers as shown in the video.

As you crochet round 7, attach the first leg as you crochet into the first 6 stitches.

Crochet into the next 6 stitches as normal to leave a gap between the legs, then attach the second leg as you crochet into the second group of 6 marked off stitches.

Complete the remainder of the round as normal.

Body: Round 11 – Attaching the Tail

Note: This video shows a llama, but the technique is the same for this pattern.

Since this pattern indicates in which exact stitches of the round you’ll be attaching the tail, you do not have to use stitch markers as shown in the video.

At the end of round 11, the tail should be centered above the legs on the opposite side of the round. If your tail appears off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the tail as necessary.

Body: Round 30 – Attaching the Arms

Note: This video shows a llama, but the technique is the same for this pattern.

Since this pattern indicates in which exact stitches of the round you’ll be attaching each arm, you do not have to use stitch markers as shown in the video.

At the end of round 30, the arms should be centered above the legs and tail. If your arms appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the arms as necessary.

Attaching the Head to the Body

Note: This video shows a sheep, but the technique is the same for this pattern.

Step 1: Find an object with a circular base that has the same circumference as the opening of your body. I like to use a shot glass that I found at the dollar store.

Using a disappearing ink marker, trace the circular object centered on the bottom of the head. This will act as a guide as you sew.

Step 2: Sew the head to the body, leaving some slack in your stitches. Leave your last couple stitches open, and view the head & body from all angles to ensure the head is on straight.

Tighten all the stitching with a yarn needle. Tight stitching and proper stuffing ensure you won’t end up with a wobbly head.

Step 3: Add additional stuffing until the neck is nice and firm. There shouldn’t be any slack or empty space between the top of the body and the head.

Step 4: Once you’re finished stuffing, close up the last couple stitches and pull them tight. Secure with a knot and hide the yarn tail inside the work.

Embroidering the Nose

Cut a 3 foot strand of yarn and embroider a V to outline the shape of the nose. I did my nose 3 rounds high, and 4 or 5 stitches across the top (whatever looks even).

Insert 3 or 4 strands of yarn per stitch across the top of the nose.

If you’d like, you can end with a final strand across the top of the nose to give a smoother final appearance.

End by adding a line between the point of the nose and the bottom of the snout. Secure the beginning and ending yarn tails together with a knot, then hide them inside the work.

Adding Whiskers

Cut six strands of fishing line, about 10 inches long.

Fold a strand in half, then use your crochet hook to pull the folded end of the strand through a stitch on the snout.

You should now have a “loop” of fishing line on your hook. Yarn over with the two loose strands and pull them through the loop on your hook.

Secure the whisker in place with a knot. Repeat this process for the 5 remaining whiskers.

Trim all the whiskers to your desired length.

Instructions

Ears (make 2)

LG = Light Gray | P = Pink

01. LG: start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, P: inc, LG: *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. sc, P: sc 2, color-change increase: {P+LG}, LG: *sc 3, inc* 2 times [15]
05. sc, P: sc 4, LG: sc 10 [15]
06. sc, P: sc, inc, sc 2, LG: sc 2, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 2 [18]
07. sc, P: sc 6, LG: sc 11 [18]
08. sc, P: sc 6, LG: sc 11 [18]
09. sc, P: sc 7, LG: inc, sc 8, inc [20]
10. sc, P: sc 7, LG: sc 12 [20]

Fasten off and leave a 18″ tail. Do not stuff. Pinch the final round together and slip stitch closed. Hide the tail inside the work. Each ear will be attached while crocheting the head at a later step.

Head

W = White | LG = Light Gray | DG = Dark Gray

01. W: Chain 3 Start: ch 3, inc in 2nd ch from hook, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, 3sc in the last ch [10]
02. inc, sc 2, *inc* 3 times, sc 2, *inc* 2 times [16]
03. inc, sc 4, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 4, *inc* 2 times, sc [22]
04. inc, sc 6, *inc, sc* 2 times, inc, sc 6, *inc, sc* 2 times [28]
05. sc 11, inc, sc 15, inc [30]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [30]
08. *sc 3, dec* 4 times, sc 2, LG: sc, dec, sc 3, dec [24]
09. *sc, inc* 12 times [36]
10. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
11. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
12. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]

Marking Stitches for the Eyes: Insert two markers 18 stitches apart between rounds 11 & 12. These markers will show you where to place your safety eyes at a later step.

For additional details and a photo, see "Head: Round 12 – Marking Stitches for the Eyes" in the Notes section of the pattern.

13. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
14. sc 10, DG: sc 7, LG: 43 [60]
15. sc in each st around [60]
16. sc 59, DG: sc [60]
17. sc 5, LG: sc 3, DG: sc 12, LG: sc 3, DG: sc 6, LG: sc 31 [60]
18. sc in each st around [60]

Attaching the Ears: In round 19, the parentheses indicate where you should attach each ear. For additional details and a video tutorial, see "Head: Round 19 – Attaching the Ears" in the Notes section of the pattern.

19. sc, Attach the first ear: (sc 10), sc 7, Attach the second ear: (sc 10), sc 32 [60]

At the end of round 19, the ears should be centered above the snout. If your ears appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the ears as necessary.

20. sc 12, DG: sc 5, LG: sc 43 [60]
21 – 22. sc in each st around [60]
23. sc 7, DG: sc 17, LG: sc 36 [60]
24. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
25. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
26. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
27. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]

Stuff head ¾ full and create indents for the eyes. Insert your safety eyes and secure the backings. For additional details and a video tutorial, see "Indenting the Eyes" in the Notes section of the pattern.

29. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
30. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
31. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]

Finish stuffing.

32. *dec* 6 times [6]

Cut working yarn and close with an ultimate finish.

Legs (make 2)

W = White | LG = Light Gray | DG = Dark Gray

01. W: Chain 3 Start: ch 3, inc in 2nd ch from hook, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, 3sc in the last ch [10]
02. inc, sc 2, *inc* 3 times, sc 2, *inc* 2 times [16]
03. inc, sc 4, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 4, *inc* 2 times, sc [22]
04. inc, sc 6, *inc, sc* 2 times, inc, sc 6, *inc, sc* 2 times [28]
05. inc, sc 8, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc 8, inc, sc 2, inc, sc [34]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [34]
08. sc 28, *dec* 3 times [31]
09. *dec* 3 times, sc 21, *dec* 2 times [26]
10. *dec* 2 times, sc 22 [24]
11. sc 12, LG: sc 12 [24]
12. sc 17, dec, sc 5 [23]
13. sc 12, DG: sc 11 [23]
14. sc 12, LG: sc 9, dec [22]
15. sc in each st around [22]
16. sc 10, dec, sc, DG: sc 9 [21]
17. sc 12, LG: sc 9 [21]
18. sc 19, dec [20]
19. sc 13, DG: sc 7 [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 2, LG: sc 7 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]

Fasten off and leave a 18″ tail. Stuff the leg. Pinch the final round together and slip stitch closed, then hide the tail inside the work. Each leg will be attached while crocheting the body at a later step.

Tail

W = White | LG = Light Gray | DG = Dark Gray

01. W: start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03 – 05. sc in each st around [12]
06. LG: sc in each st around [12]
07. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
08. DG: dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
09. LG: dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
10. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
11. DG: dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
12 -13. LG: sc in each st around [12]
14. sc, DG: sc 11 [12]
15. sc, LG: sc 11 [12]
16. sc in each st around [12]
17. sc 2, DG: sc 10 [12]
18. sc 2, LG: sc 10 [12]
19. dec, sc 8, dec [10]

Fasten off and leave a 18″ yarn tail. Stuff the the tail. Pinch the final round together and slip stitch closed, then hide the yarn tail inside the work. The tail will be attached while crocheting the body at a later step.

Arms (make 2)

W = White | LG = Light Gray | DG = Dark Gray

01. W: start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05 – 06. sc in each st around [24]
07. sc 2, dec, sc 16, dec, sc 2 [22]
08. sc, dec, sc 16, dec, sc [20]
09. sc 12, LG: sc 8 [20]
10. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
11. sc 11, DG: sc 8 [19]
12. sc 11, LG: sc 6, dec [18]
13. sc in each st around [18]
14. sc 8, dec, sc 2, DG: sc 6 [17]
15. sc 11, LG: sc 6 [17]
16. sc 15, dec [16]
17. sc 11, DG: sc 5 [16]
18. sc 7, dec, sc 2, LG: sc 5 [15]
19. sc in each st around [15]
20. sc 11, DG: sc 2, dec [14]
21. sc 11, LG: sc 3 [14]
22. sc 6, dec, sc 6 [13]
23. sc 11, DG: sc 2 [13]
24. sc 11, LG: dec [12]
25 – 26. sc in each st around [12]

Fasten off and leave a 18″ tail. Stuff the arm. Pinch the final round together and slip stitch closed, then hide the tail inside the work. Each arm will be attached while crocheting the body at a later step.

Body

W = White | LG = Light Gray | DG = Dark Gray

01. LG: start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]

Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs where instructed while crocheting the next round. For additional details and a video tutorial, see "Body: Round 7 – Attaching the Legs" in the Notes section of the pattern.

07. Attach the first leg in the next six stitches: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, Attach the second leg in the next six stitches: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 3 times, DG: sc 6, inc, sc 5, LG: sc, inc, sc 3 [48]
09. sc 7, inc, sc 2, W: sc 3, LG: sc 2, inc, *sc 7, inc* 4 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, sc 5, W: sc 3, inc, sc, LG: sc 7, inc, *sc 8, inc* 3 times, sc 4 [60]

Attaching the Tail: Attach the tail where instructed while crocheting the next round. For additional details and a video tutorial, see "Body: Round 11 – Attaching the Tail" in the Notes section of the pattern.

11. sc 11, W: sc 7, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 22, Attach the tail in the next 5 stitches: (sc 5), sc 13 [60]

At the end of round 11, the tail should be centered above the legs on the opposite side of the round. If your tail appears off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the tail as necessary.

12. sc 8, LG: sc 2, W: sc 9, LG: 41 [60]
13. sc 10, W: sc 10, LG: sc 40 [60]
14. sc 10, W: sc 11, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 37 [60]
15. sc 8, LG: sc 2, W: sc 11, LG: sc 39 [60]
16. sc 10, W: sc 11, LG: sc 39 [60]
17. sc 10, W: sc 12, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 36 [60]
18. sc 4, dec, sc 2, LG: sc 2, W: sc 4, dec, sc 6, LG: sc 2, dec, *sc 8, dec* 3 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc 9, W: sc 11, LG: 34 [54]
20. sc 7, dec, sc, W: sc 6, dec, sc 2, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 3, dec, *sc 7, dec* 3 times [48]
21. sc 7, LG: sc 2, W: sc 9, LG: sc 30 [48]
22. sc 3, dec, sc 4, W: sc 2, dec, sc 5, LG: sc, dec, *sc 6, dec* 3 times, sc 3 [42]
23. sc 9, W: sc 7, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 24 [42]
24. sc 7, LG: sc 2, W: sc 7, LG: 26 [42]
25. sc 5, dec, sc 3, W: sc 2, dec, sc 2, LG: sc 3, dec, *sc 5, dec* 3 times [36]
26. sc 10, W: sc 4, LG: sc 2, DG: sc 20 [36]
27. sc 8, LG: sc 28 [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, *dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc 22, DG: sc 8 [30]

Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms where instructed while crocheting the next round. For additional details and a video tutorial, see "Body: Round 30 – Attaching the Arms" in the Notes section of the pattern.

30. LG: sc, Attach the first arm in the next six stitches: (sc 6), sc 8, Attach second arm in the next six stitches: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]

At the end of round 30, the arms should be centered above the legs and tail. If your arms appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the arms as necessary.

Stuff the body.

31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]

Fasten off and leave a tail the length of your arm span (5+ feet). For instructions on how to attach the head to the body, see "Attaching the Head to the Body" in the Notes section of the pattern.