Last Friday, I stopped by the local pet supply store to pick up a bag of birdseed. As I was paying, I noticed a little gray-and-white kitten sleeping in a cozy bed near the checkout counter. The cashier smiled and told me they had rescued it a few days earlier and were trying to find it a home. Every customer who walked in stopped to admire it, and I was no different. It looked so peaceful curled up with its tiny paws tucked underneath.

When I got home, I couldn’t get that kitten out of my mind. I made myself a cup of tea, settled into my favorite chair, and went looking through my yarn stash for the right colors. I found two skeins of plush gray and white yarn that were just what I needed. A few relaxing hours later, I had a soft little kitten of my own sitting on the coffee table, and it made me smile every time I walked past it.

Today, I’m excited to share this Free Amigurumi Pattern Plush Cat Barsik with you. This cuddly little kitty is quick to crochet, wonderfully soft, and perfect for anyone who loves handmade plush animals. Whether you’re making it as a thoughtful gift or adding it to your own collection, this adorable cat is sure to become a favorite. Grab your favorite hook, gather your plush yarn, and let’s crochet this sweet little kitten together.

Materials Needed

• 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80 (grey) – 1 skein
• YarnArt Dolce 741 (white) – 1 skein
• 16 mm safety eyes
• Scissors
• Black thread for facial details

You can use any plush yarn.

Finished Size

The toy turns out to be approximately 25cm tall.

Abbreviations

• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase
• dec – decrease
• MR – magic ring

Pattern Instructions

Head (2 colors)

With Grey:

1. 6 sc in MR
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
8. 42 sc
9. Grey 19 sc, white 4 sc, grey 19 sc (42)
10. Grey 18, white 6, grey 18 (42)
11. Grey 17, white 8, grey 17 (42)
12. Grey 17, white 8, grey 17 (42)
13. Grey 17, white 8, grey 17 (42)
14. With white 12 sc, (inc, 2 sc) x 6, 12 sc (48)
15. White 48 sc
16. 48 sc
17. (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
18. (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
19. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
20. (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Leave thread for sewing.

Insert safety eyes between rounds 12 and 13, with 5 sc between the eyes.

Body (With White):

1. 6 sc in MR
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
8. 42 sc
9. 42 sc
10. 42 sc
11. (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
12. 36 sc
13. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
14. 30 sc
15. (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
16. 24 sc

Ears (2 details):

1. Grey 6 sc in MR
2. Grey (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
3. Grey 4 sc, white 1 sc, grey 4 sc (9)
4. Grey 2 sc, inc, white 2 sc, inc, grey 2 sc, inc (12)

Leave thread for sewing. Sew on the head between rounds 4 and 9.

Legs (2 details):

1. 6 sc in MR
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
5. 24 sc
6. 6 dec, 12 sc (18)
7. (1 sc, dec) x 3, 9 sc (15)
8. 15 sc – 5 rounds

Approximately 4 shift stitches (look so that the leg looks neat when folded), stuff lightly, 7 sc through both sides, leave thread for sewing.

Arms (2 details):

With White:

1. 6 sc in MR
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4. 18 sc
5. With Grey: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
6. 12 sc – 5 rounds

Crochet 6 sc through both sides, leave thread for sewing.

Tail:

1. 6 sc in MR
2. 6 sc – 11 rounds

Crochet 3 sc through both sides, leave thread for sewing.

Assembly:

1. Make eye needle sculpting.
2. The nose can be used on a safety mount, or can be embroidered.
3. Embroider the mouth, eyelashes, and eyebrows.
4. Sew on the ears, tail, legs, and arms.

Your cat is ready!

Tips for Success

• Keep your tension loose with plush yarn: Velvet yarns like Himalaya Dolphin Baby can catch if pulled too tightly, so try to maintain a relaxed, even gauge while working.
• Stuff the body and head firmly: To give your cat a great shape that holds up over time, add fiberfill gradually as you work, making sure the lower head and body are well filled.
• Stuff the legs lightly: The pattern calls for light stuffing in the legs so they stay flexible and allow the cat to sit down nicely.
• Carry your yarn neatly inside: When switching colors on the head and ears, carry the unused strand loosely along the back so the stitches stay crisp without bunching up.
• Gently sculpt the eyes: When doing the eye needle sculpting during assembly, pull the thread carefully to indent the eye placement without tearing through the soft chenille fibers.
• Position safety eyes securely: Make sure to snap the back washers on tightly before stuffing the head, placing them between rounds 12 and 13 with 5 stitches between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of yarn can I substitute for Himalaya Dolphin Baby?

You can use any super bulky chenille or plush yarn, such as Bernat Baby Velvet, Premier Parfait Chunky, or YarnArt Dolce.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes, this project is great for confident beginners who know how to make a magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases, and who are comfortable doing simple color changes.

Can I embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes?

Yes, if you are making this plush cat for a baby or toddler, embroidered eyes using black yarn or embroidery floss are a wonderful, child-friendly option.

How do I join the edges on the limbs?

When you finish the rounds on the legs, arms, and tail, press the top opening flat and work single crochet stitches through both layers to seal the edge closed.

How big will the finished cat be?

Using the recommended plush yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, your finished cat will stand about 25 cm (roughly 10 inches) tall.

Conclusion

Working on this Free Amigurumi Pattern Plush Cat Barsik is such a relaxing way to spend your crafting time, and the finished kitten is endlessly soft and charming. I hope you enjoy stitching every single round and making this sweet plush cat your own. Happy crocheting!