No-Sew Crochet Cat Pattern

Looking for a quick and easy crochet cat pattern without the hassle of sewing? Look no further! This little cat is a sweet and simple project purrfect for all my fellow cat lovers.

Crochet cat pattern.

I am definitely a cat person and this crochet cat pattern ticks all the boxes – quick, cute and no-sew!

It’s ideal for stash busting, market prep and last minute gifts.

About the Pattern

This crochet cat pattern is worked in one piece in a continuous spiral. The ears and feet are worked as you go and the tail is crocheted on at the end.

Because this is a no-sew pattern and we’re working in the round without joining, you may need to adjust the placement of the popcorn stitches to ensure that the feet line up properly.

Pattern Update

There is an updated version of this pattern available.

The update features:

  • Bobble stitch feet
  • More robust tail construction
  • Written instructions to make a Siamese variation
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Recommended Yarn

You can use any yarn weight and fiber to make your crochet cat.

I chose to use a lightweight chenille yarn for the cats pictured as I love the fuzzy look and the overall finished size when using thinner yarn.

If you plan on using super bulky yarn, I would make the following adjustments:

R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in second ch from hook (8)

R2: [Inc] x8 (16)

R3: [Sc, inc] x8 (24)

Proceed with the pattern as written starting from R5.

No matter the yarn, don’t forget to use the appropriate hook size and adjust the size of the safety eyes if needed.

Grey crochet cat sitting on some yarn.

Easy Gifting

If you’re making this crochet cat for gifts or market prep, grab the printable adoption certificate from the Stitch by Fay freebie library.

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Why You’ll Love This Crochet Cat Pattern

  • Basic stitches: Uses mostly single crochet stitches.
  • No-sew: Doesn’t require any sewing aside from hiding ends and adding facial features.
  • Adorable: Sure to delight adults and kids alike.
Small plush crochet cat with brown face, ears, tail and feet and a beige body, sitting on a wood round.

More Patterns

If you love this crochet cat pattern, you might also like to check out these other no-sew patterns:


No-Sew Crochet Cat Pattern

Prefer the PDF version?

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The ad-free PDF includes detailed instructions and photos as well as easy print pages.

Materials

  • DK weight chenille yarn in grey (I used DMC Happy Chenille in Hefalump)
  • 3mm crochet hook
  • 4 ply yarn in black or black embroidery floss
  • 6mm safety eyes
  • Polyester fiberfill
  • Stitch marker
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • FLO – front loop only
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • inc – increase
  • invdec – invisible decrease
  • pc – popcorn stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • st/s – stitch/es
  • tr – treble crochet
  • […] – repeat the instructions in brackets
  • (…) – indicates stitch count at end of round

Special Stitches

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

  1. Work 4 dc stitches in the same stitch.
  2. Remove your hook from the last dc and insert it under both loops of the first dc.
  3. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch.
  4. Ch 1 to close.

Useful Links

Finished Size

The finished cat measures approximately 2.5″ (6.5cm) long. Size may vary depending on tension and materials used.

Gauge

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Use a hook size to match your chosen yarn. Make sure that your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing showing through and adjust hook size if necessary.

Notes

  • Pieces are worked in a continuous spiral starting with a magic ring unless otherwise specified. Mark the first stitch of each round with a removable stitch marker.
  • This is a no-sew pattern. The ears and feet are crocheted as you go and the tail is added at the end.
  • I’m using a chain 2 start as I find it easier with this type of yarn. Feel free to use a magic ring if you prefer.
  • Popcorn stitches are used for the feet (see special stitches). When working the next round, place a single crochet in the top of each popcorn.

Pattern Instructions

Cat (grey)

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (6)

R2: [Inc] x6 (12)

R3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18)

R4: Sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24)

R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)

R6: [Sc] x30 (30)

Note: In this next round we will be creating the ears by working some stitches in the front loop only.

R7: 10 sc, FLO hdc, [dc, tr, dc] in FLO of next st, FLO hdc, 4 sc, FLO hdc, [dc, tr, dc] in FLO of next st, FLO hdc, 10 sc

Note: In R8 you will sc into the leftover back loops behind the ears. We will also be adding the front feet over the next 2 rounds. You may need to shift the position of the popcorn sts by a st or 2 depending on your tension and the yarn used. They should be inline with the ears.

R8: 28 sc, pc, sc (29 sc + 1 pc)

Pause here to add the face.

Using 4 ply black yarn or black embroidery floss, sew a nose and mouth using horizontal and vertical sts. The nose sits across the top of R1.

Insert the safety eyes between R3 and R4, approximately 1 st up from the nose. The most important part here is to make sure that they’re level with each other.

Small plush grey crochet cat being held up by a hand against a white background.

R9: 4 sc, pc, 25 sc (29 sc + 1 pc)

R10-14: [Sc] x30 (30) 5 rounds

Note: In this next round we will be adding the back feet. You may need to adjust the placement of the popcorn sts, they should be inline with the front feet.

R15: Pc, 5 sc, pc, 23 sc (28 sc + 2 pc)

R16: [Sc] x30 (30)

R17: [3 sc, invdec] x6 (24)

Start stuffing and continue to stuff as you go.

R18: Sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] x5, sc (18)

R19: [Sc, invdec] x6 (12)

R20: [Invdec] x6 (6)

Cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through last st. Weave the yarn tail through the front loop only of the final round and pull to close. Hide the end inside the cat.

Attaching the Tail

You want to centre the tail with the ears. Start by marking the centre st between R17 and R18 with a stitch marker. Join yarn in the st directly next to the stitch marker.

Back view of grey crochet cat showing where to attach the tail.

Ch 7, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (6)

Cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through last st. Using a yarn needle, bring the tail down in the next st over. Weave in ends.


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Grey crochet cat sitting on a wood round, text overlay reads: 'Free crochet pattern - No-Sew Cat - www.stitchbyfay.com'.

FAQ

This will depend entirely on your own crochet speed, but because this pattern is on the small side, I would estimate it taking between 2-4 hours.

Yes, you can. However, I have not tested this pattern using a different yarn so the result may not be the same. You may also need to adjust your hook size and the size of the safety eyes.

No, you don’t. I think it would look sweet with simple embroidered eyes if that’s your preference.

No. Aside from the safety eyes which are not suitable for children under the age of 3, this type of yarn does have a tendency to shed.


Explore More Crochet Patterns

After you crochet this cat, here are some more crochet patterns to try!

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Happy crocheting.

This pattern is for personal use only and may not be copied, reproduced, altered, published or distributed in any format (including video). If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site.

You can sell finished products made from this pattern in small quantities. Do NOT use our photos as your sale photos.

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41 Comments

  1. Hello! First thank you so much for this So cool free pattern.
    I dont understand what you mean by R8: 28 sc, pc, sc (29 + 1 pc)
    Is it 20 sc + 1 pc ?
    And I think there’s a mistake in the row count. After this row ( row 8) there’s is not a row 9, and it goes toRow 29 to row 34….

    Thank you, Chantale Perron from Montreal
    [email protected]

    1. Hi, thanks for that. I’ve fixed up the round count, they were just misnumbered.
      R8 is 28 sc + 1 popcorn st + 1 sc for a total of 30 sts. Hope that helps 🙂

      1. Yes, thank you! ( for a reason???) I didnt inderstood that in the ( ) it was the total of stitch, like it always does!!! 🙂
        And thanks for the so quick reply!
        I’m starting it right now! When I’ll post it on my Instagram ( not before days or even weeks, I have others to post before…), be sure I will link it to you!!!
        Chantale 🙂

  2. Hi i have a question, what is the PC abbreviation? It isnt in the key above and im very lost and confused.

  3. Hola, no entiendo muy bien como se hace la R7, es muy confuso, ya que a mí no me sale el mismo número de puntadas que deberían. ¿Me lo podrías explicar más profundamente, por favor?
    Gracias por tu atención

    1. Hi, in R7 some sts are worked in both loops and some worked in the front loops only. The [dc, tr, dc] are worked in the same st and form the cats ears. I hope that helps.

  4. Thanks for the pattern! I tried it with bulky chenille in pink and it turned out a gorgeous piggy squishy (with sewed snout). My daughter is in awe!

  5. Hi! I’m confused about row 8. I’m not finding the back loop but I did make the ear FLO so wondering if there’s a video tutorial I could refer to?

    1. Hi! What yarn are you using? If you’re using the same yarn as me or other fuzzy yarn, it can be difficult to see the back loops. The good thing about this type of yarn is that it’s really forgiving so I just stick my hook in where I think the back loop should be.

      1. I’m using acrylic yarn so it’s not too fluffy. After the BLO sc, I sc into the next stitch but the ear gets blocked and I’m worried if I keep going, it’s just going to cover up the ear. Any ideas how to fix that?

        Thank you so much!

        1. You should have 6 back loops from R7, 3 for each ear. After the BLO sc, make sure to push the ear forward so it’s in front of your crochet hook when you go back to single crocheting through both loops.

  6. In Row 9, it says to continue single crochet, but It comes on top of the popcorn stich, so I don’t understand how the fron leg is supposed to be like not submegred into the body

  7. Thank you so much for this cute pattern! Your instructions are easy to follow and my cat came out just like your picture 🐱

  8. Thank you for instructions! I made this one pink. Looks like little piggy. Lol I will add some whiskers to help that.
    Thanks again.
    Julie Merrill