Kitten with Bendable Tail & Big Paws
I’m sharing my very first crochet pattern, so I hope it’s easy to follow. I started to crochet earlier this year and this was my second toy, so I’m sure yours will look even better! The design was based on directions from my daughter. It stands up perfectly on those oversized feet. Scroll down for the free pattern or click here for the PDF.
Free PDF Pattern
For a free PDF with photo instructions, click on one of the following:
• 7 Robots Shop
• Ravelry: Suzy Dias Designs, where this has been downloaded over 3,000 times! Thanks everyone ＼(^▽^＠)ノ
MATERIALS
Cat height: Almost 9.5” (24 cm)
Yarn: Medium or worsted weight yarn
Hook: 5mm (size H) or 5.5mm (size I)
Eyes: 12mm buttons
Abbreviations: R – Round, MR – magic ring, ST/STS – stitch/stitches, SLST – slip stitch, SC – single crochet, INC – 2 single crochets (SC) in the same stitch, INVDEC – invisible decrease, 2TOG – 2 stitches together for a decrease, EVEN – SC 1 in each ST around, x – number of times to repeat a stitch or stitch combination until the end of the round.
HEAD
R1: MR, SC 6 (6)
R2: INC in each ST around (12)
R3: INC, SC 1 around (18)
R4: INC, SC 2 around (24)
R5: INC, SC 3 around (30)
R6: INC, SC 4 around (36)
R7-13: EVEN (36)
R14: INVDEC, SC 4 around (30)
R15: INVDEC, SC 3 around (24)
– Add the eyes between R9 and R10.
– Use a yarn needle and black yarn to create a triangle nose (R11) and add the smile.
R16: INVDEC, SC 2 around (18)
– Generously stuff the head.
R17: INVDEC, SC 1 around (12)
– If there’s room, add more stuffing.
R18: INVDEC (6).
– Finish off and leave tail for sewing to the body.
BODY
R1: MR, SC 6 (6)
R2: INC in each ST around (12)
R3: INC, SC 1 around (18)
R4: INC, SC 2 around (24)
R5: INC, SC 3 around (30)
R6: INC, SC 4 around (36)
R7: INC, SC 5 around (42)
R8-R13: EVEN (42)
– You’ll notice this pattern calls for fewer rounds than in a normal sphere pattern so you produce a flat/slightly oval shape and not a perfect sphere.
R14: INVDEC, SC 5 around (36 )
R15: INVDEC, SC 4 around (30)
– You can add some stuffing now if you wish.
R16: INVDEC, SC 3 around (24)
R17: INVDEC, SC 2 around (18)
– Stuff so it’s firm.
R18: INVDEC, SC 1 around (12)
R19: INVDEC in each ST around.
– Finish off and weave in ends.
PAWS AND LEGS (make 4)
R1: MR, SC 6 (6)
R2: INC in each ST around (12)
R3: INC, SC 1 around (18)
R4: INC, SC 2 around (24)
R5: INC, SC 3 around (30)
R6: 2TOG 12 x, SC 1 in the remaining STS
R7: 2TOG 4 x, SC 1 in the remaining STS (creates distinct toes)
R8-R12: SC 1 in each ST.
– Finish off and leave tail for sewing to the body.
– Before sewing on the legs, pin them into place.
EARS (make 2)
R1: MR, SC 6 (6)
R2: INC, SC 2 around (8)
R3: INC, SC 3 around (10)
R4: INC, SC 4 around (12)
R5: EVEN (12)
– Use a yarn needle to weave pink yarn into a triangle shape for the inside of the ear.
– Do not stuff the ears.
TAIL
R1: Pink Yarn. MR, SC 6 (6)
R2: INC in each ST around (12)
R3-R8: EVEN (12)
R9: Switch to purple yarn. EVEN (12)
R10-R20: EVEN (12)
R21-32: Switch to off-white yarn (body color). EVEN (12). Finish off and leave tail for sewing to the body.
Tips for Stuffing the Tail:
– Add a pipe cleaner to the tail so it can both stay up straight and bend.
– Before inserting the pipe cleaner, bend it in half, then hook the end with the bend around 2 or 3 stitches on the cat’s back-side (where the tail attaches to the body). Insert the other end of the pipe cleaner, with the 2 loose ends, into the tail. It’s a bit awkward, but you can use a pencil to push down all the stuffing until the tail is stiff and can bend. Then sew the tail to the body.
» Read the comments from other FABULOUS people who were nice enough to catch any mistakes in my pattern.
Here are a few basic videos that you may find helpful:
– Magic Ring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
– Sphere/Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
– Alternative way to create toes (46:40): https://youtu.be/skFjBDjcQ4w?t=46m40s
Large ami cats – free pattern – I’ve made this – it’s a great project”, “This classic ami cat is easy-to-create and perfect to start with if you’re a beginner.
Do you have have a video on how it goes together? For some reason I can’t seem to get the ears in place I can’t get the whiskers to look right and I definitely can’t get the feet in the right place it looks kittywampus.. it doesn’t want to stand up . Hahaha
Hi Debbie, I’ll try my best to explain what I did. Here goes. I tried to sew along the bottom in a straight line (______). Each stitch I did started along the bottom, up, and through the point at the top. To avoid having too many stitches in the same spot at the top, stitch near the top point of the triangle. When you’re done and have a nice straight line along the bottom, you can add 1 or 2 more stitches that end in the center top point to make it straight and clean. I hope this helps.
I have tried several times to do the pink in the ear, do you have any tips. I can’t seem to get it in a traingle!
I know how to do that but I don’t understand when it says do 2x it keeps inc
Thank you
Hi Christina,
I’m not quite sure what part of the pattern you’re stuck on. The number in parenthesis represents the total number of stitches (sts) at the end of that round. You increase or decrease in multiples of 6 (6,12,18,24…). I found this video helpful when I was learning and maybe you will too? She goes through everything step by step https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ47MLlrLzw
The pattern says inc sc (18) 2x if I do that then it just keeps inc I don’t understand please help
How do you go from 18 to 9 on round 18 and 19
Hi Mary, I’m glad you enjoyed making it. Adding a music button is a great idea!
you kitten is an easy pattern to fallow. i enjoyed making it. i made one change. i wanted to put a music button in the ear & i also want a calico kitten.
I hope he likes it 🙂 I updated the text a bit so it’s easier to understand – thanks for pointing that out.
Most of the things I make are because my kids have an idea for a toy and I try to make it. It’s a good partnership. We both get to have fun.
Thanks l was concerned that l was not going to get it right
Am making it for my grandson he likes cats.
Hi Shirley,
If you follow the pattern, you are already making the body into an oval. Here’s what I mean. To make a perfect sphere, you crochet all of your increase rounds, then the correct number of ‘even’ rounds, and then you begin to decrease. With this pattern, you add one less ‘even’ round to flatten out the sphere and give it a more oval shape. It’s not a perfect sphere.
I hope that helps,
Suzy
I don’t understand on the body where you say do less rounds so it’s a slight oval. How do you do that’ and follow the pattern
Thank you for your comment Robyn. I hope you enjoy your kitten/cat when it’s done. My daughter really loves hers.
Thank you for this lovely cute pattern
Thank you so much for this lovely, cute pattern. I cannot wait to have a go at making this
Thanks so much for this gorgeous pattern. Cant wait to have a go at making it.
Thanks for posting a comment! That’s really nice of you.
thanks very much for this
Hi Jennifer,
I just noticed that. It’s a mistake. It should say 6x. The main part is you [INC, SC 1] around and get a stitch count of 18.
Thanks for catching that,
Suzy
From R2 to R3 how do you go from 12 stitches to 18 stitches when you only inc 2x?
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m so happy you like it. The buttons are 12mm. Sorry, I should have noted that in the description. I’ll add it now.
I love the look of this kitty.
And I have started to make her.
I’m thinking of 1/2 inch buttones, but I’m not sure. If you remember, what size did you use?
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