how to crochet a cute and easy cat plushie | free pattern + step-by-step video tutorial

Hi everyone! Here's the written pattern for my YouTube tutorial. Please refer to the video for step-by-step demonstrations if you're confused. You can use acrylic/cotton yarn with a 4 mm hook for a smaller cat or fluffy/chenille yarn with a 4.5 or 5 mm hook for a slightly larger hand-size cat. All the materials and yarns I used can be found on my amazon storefront!

Abbreviations:

ss - slip stitch / sc - single crochet / increase = 2 sc in the same stitch / decrease = invisible decrease - insert your hook into the front loops of the next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops again

Important notes:

Start each piece with a regular or fake magic ring. The total stitch counts for each round are written in brackets (X). End each piece with a slip stitch and chain 1 to fasten off. For assembly and joining the pieces to make the plushie, please watch the video tutorial for a short sewing demonstration!

1. Head

Round 1 - 8 sc

Round 2 - 2 sc in every stitch (16)

Round 3 - 1 sc, increase (24)

Round 4 - 2 sc, increase (32)

Round 5 to 8 - 1 sc in every stitch (32)

Round 9 - 10 sc, 4 increases, 4 sc, 4 increases, 10 sc (40)

Round 10 and 11 - 1 sc in every stitch (4)

Round 12 - 10 sc, 4 decreases, 4 sc, 4 decreases, 10 sc (32)

Round 13 (24) and round 14 (18) - 2 sc, decrease

Round 15 - 1 sc, decrease (12)

2. Body

Round 1 - 8 sc

Round 2 - 2 sc in every stitch (16)

Round 3 - 1 sc, increase (24)

Round 4 - *1 sc, increase* x4, 8 sc, *1 sc, increase* x4 (32)

Round 5 to 8 - 1 sc in every stitch (32)

Round 9 - 3 decreases, 20 sc, 3 decreases (26)

Round 10 - decrease, 22 sc, decrease (24)

Round 11 - 2 sc, decrease (18)

3. Ears

Round 1 - 4 sc

Round 2 (6) and round 3 (9) - 1 sc, increase

4. Hands 

Round 1 - 7 sc

Round 2 to 5 - 1 sc in every stitch (7)

3 sc through the top stitches to close the hole

5. Tail

Round 1 - 7 sc

Round 2 to 6 - 1 sc in every stitch (7)

3 sc through the top stitches to close the hole

6. Legs

Round 1 - 8 sc

Round 2 - 1 sc, increase (12)

Round 3 and 4 - 1 sc in every stitch (12)

7. Strawberry stem

Make a magic ring and chain 1

Repeat these steps 5 times to make the leaves - chain 4, skip the 1st chain, ss into the 2nd chain, sc into the 3rd chain, hdc into the 4th chain, ss into the magic ring

When you're done making 5 leaves, chain 4-6, skip the 1st chain then ss down the chains to make the stem. Fasten off then attach the tail to a needle. Sew the stem into the center of the magic ring and attach to your cat's head.

8. Mini strawberry/heart

You can also make your cat hold cute objects following this tutorial. 

I hope you love your plushie! Crochet with more of my free patterns and tutorials here :)