Crochet cats are wonderfully varied. Some are plush and sleepy, some have huge eyes, and one even spins. This collection brings together every free crochet cat pattern on Madewithcrochet: full-size kittens, tiny plush cats, and the mini cat keychains that make quick gifts.
Cards are ordered from easiest to most involved, using the skill level each designer gives. Each one also lists the hook and yarn so you can pick a kitty that suits your stash. For dogs, bunnies, farm animals and more, head back to our main collection of amigurumi toy patterns.
Free crochet cat patterns
Adorable Mini Crochet Cat Keychain: Easy DIY Pattern
Beginner · 2.5 mm hook · milk cotton / cotton yarn · about 5–7 cm
Adorable Crochet Spinning Cat: Best Free Pattern for Beginners
Beginner–Intermediate · 2 mm hook · about 10 cm
Quick Crochet Mini Cat Keychain – Easy DIY Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 3.75 mm hook · about 8–10 cm
Picking the right cat pattern
Your first cat: the plush cream cat rated beginner uses a 2.5 mm hook and finishes at about 10 to 12 cm. Its simple shapes and embroidered face make it a friendly starting point.
A soft, squishy kitten: the plush and velvet patterns, such as the gray velvet kitten on a 4 mm hook, need only about half a skein of yarn. Velvet yarn makes chubby cheeks and paws look adorable.
Something unusual: the donut-shaped spinning cat is about 10 cm across and works on a 2 mm hook. The salary cat uses an even finer 1.8 mm hook with baby yarn for a small, detailed result.
A quick gift: the three cat keychains are the fastest projects here. One uses milk cotton on a 2.5 mm hook and finishes at 5 to 7 cm. The others use chenille-style or medium yarn with safety eyes.
Hook size and the look of your cat
The cat patterns here use hooks from 1.8 mm all the way to 4 mm. That range is a good lesson in how amigurumi works:
| Hook and yarn | Result | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8–2.5 mm with baby or cotton yarn | Small, firm, detailed cats | Fine faces and color work |
| 3–3.5 mm with worsted yarn | Medium cats with clear stitches | The big-eyed kitten, everyday makes |
| 3.5–4 mm with chenille or velvet | Plush, fuzzy, quick cats | Cuddly gifts and keychains |
Whatever the yarn, the fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. If you can see fiberfill between your stitches, go down half a millimeter in hook size.
Making cat faces that look like cats
The difference between a cat and a bear is mostly in the face. A few details do the work:
- Ears: triangular, set wide apart, near the top of the head. Pin them before sewing and check from the front.
- Eyes: big-eyed designs place large safety eyes low on the face for a kitten look. For a sleepy cat, embroider curved lines instead.
- Muzzle and whiskers: a small white muzzle patch, a pink nose and a few straight stitches for whiskers make a face read as feline.
- Tail: a long, lightly stuffed tube sewn low at the back. Curl it around the body for a curled-up cat pose.
New to crochet in the round? Our single crochet tutorial covers the main stitch every cat here uses.
Cats as keychains and gifts
Cat keychains also appear in our full crochet keychain collection, next to bats, capybaras and hearts. Mini cats make lovely gifts for cat owners, teachers and friends.
If the gift is for a baby or toddler, use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes and skip the glued-on nose some designs use. Sew the ears and tail on with several passes so they stay put through lots of play.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet cat pattern?
The plush cat rated beginner by its designer is the easiest full-size cat here. The mini milk cotton cat keychain is the easiest small project.
What size hook should I use for a crochet cat?
Use the hook the pattern lists, usually 2 to 4 mm on this page. Go smaller if stuffing shows through the stitches.
How much yarn does a crochet cat need?
Small cats and keychains need very little yarn. The plush kittens here use about half a skein to one and a half skeins of the main color, depending on size.
Can I make a crochet cat look like my own pet?
Yes. Change the main color, add patches with color changes, or embroider stripes and markings after stuffing, before you attach the ears.
More collections to explore
- Crochet Keychain Patterns (19 patterns)
- Woodland & Wild Animal Amigurumi (21 patterns)
- Easy Amigurumi Patterns (15 patterns)