This morning, after finishing up my usual household chores and pouring a fresh cup of hot coffee, I sat down near the living room window. The sun was streaming through the glass, warming my favorite armchair and making it the perfect spot to spend a peaceful hour stitching. I reached into my yarn basket and found a lovely skein of soft plush yarn that I had been saving. I decided it was time to make something sweet and quick, so I grabbed my crochet hook and got to work. Making this Free Amigurumi Pattern Little Cat Plush was such a relaxing way to spend my quiet morning. The plush yarn works up so quickly, creating the roundest, most squeezable little kitten that sits right in the palm of your hand.

Materials Needed

• Plush yarn
• Crochet hook 4mm
• Needle
• Scissors
• Eyes 12-10mm
• Embroidery thread for details

Abbreviations

• sc = single crochet
• mr = magic ring
• inc = increase
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch = chain
• dec = decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• tr = treble crochet (double treble)
• popcorn/bobble = 4 or 6 dc with one top

Pattern Notes

• Ears type 1: 2 ch into the same st dc, tr, dc and 3 ch into the same stitch, sl st.
• Ears type 2: Attach yarn and in this same stitch sc, in the next: hdc, tr, hdc and ch, in the next sc, sl st (total 3 stitches for ear, hold toy facing you). 2 rounds above eyes, distance 2-3 sc.
• Legs can be made sewn-on (6 sc in mr, 6 inc, then 1-2 rounds 12 sc).

Pattern Instructions

• Round 1. 6 sc in mr
• Round 2. 6 inc (12)
• Round 3. (sc, inc)x6 (18)
• Round 4. (2 sc, inc)x6 (24)
• Round 5-6. 24 sc (2 rounds)
• Round 7. (2 sc, dec)x2, 16 sc (22)
• Step. Eyes 3-4 round, distance 6 stitches
• Round 8. 14 sc, popcorn, 3 sc, popcorn, 3 sc (22)
• Round 9. (sc, inc)x5, 12 sc (27)
• Round 10. 27 sc
• Round 11. (2 sc, inc)x5, 12 sc (32)
• Round 12-13. 32 sc (2 rounds)
• Round 14. (2 sc, dec)x5, 12 sc (27)
• Step. Tail: 10 ch from second from hook: 9 sc
• Round 15. 19 sc, popcorn, 6 sc, popcorn (27)
• Round 16. sc, (sc, dec)x3, tail, (sc, dec)x2, 12 (24)
• Round 17. 24 sc
• Step. If you got confused with the tail and ended up with 22-23 sc in the 17th round, no worries, just continue crocheting, you just need to pull the opening tight, nothing critical will happen from this.
• Round 18. (2 sc, dec)x6 (18)
• Round 19. (sc, dec)x6 (12)
• Round 20. 6 dec, pull opening tight, cut thread.

Tips for Success

• Use a stitch marker for plush yarn: Soft plush yarn can make it tricky to see the ends of your rounds. Placing a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round will keep your counts accurate.
• Keep your tension even: Plush chenille yarn works best with a steady, firm tension to keep your stitches snug so stuffing won’t show through.
• Stuff the body gradually: Add fiberfill stuffing as you go, especially before the final decrease rounds, to ensure a smooth, round shape without lumps.
• Push the popcorn stitches outward: When crocheting the legs using popcorn stitches, gently push them out toward the front of your work so they pop out as cute little paws.
• Embroider the face before closing: Embroidering the nose and mouth lines with dark thread is easiest when you can still reach inside the piece to secure your yarn tails.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use regular acrylic yarn instead of plush yarn? Yes, you can use standard worsted weight acrylic yarn with a smaller hook like a 3.25mm or 3.5mm, but the finished kitty will turn out smaller.
• What safety eye size works best for this project? Safety eyes between 10mm and 12mm work best with plush yarn, as listed in the materials section.
• Do I need to sew on the tail or legs separately? No, the tail and legs are crocheted directly into the main body during the rounds, saving you time on assembly.
• What should I do if my stitch count is slightly off at the tail round? Don’t worry if your stitch count is off by one or two stitches on round 17. As noted in the pattern, you can simply keep crocheting and cinch the final opening closed at the end.
• How do I attach the ears to the head? You can work the ear stitches directly into the head stitches two rounds above the eyes, keeping them spaced about 2 to 3 single crochets apart.

Conclusion

Crocheting small plush toys brings so much comfort and warmth to everyday life. Whether you are crafting a quick gift for a friend or making a sweet display for your shelf, this Free Amigurumi Pattern Little Cat Plush is a delightful project to make. I hope you enjoy stitching up your own soft little kitty today!