Cozy Kitten Amigurumi Pattern

 

Introduction

Welcome to this adorable Cozy Kitten amigurumi pattern! This sweet little feline friend is designed to be both charming and cuddly, with a rounded body, expressive face, and soft details that capture the essence of a playful kitten. Perfect for cat lovers of all ages, this intermediate-level project introduces some shaping techniques that create a realistic feline form while remaining accessible to crocheters with basic amigurumi experience. The finished kitten sits approximately 6 inches (15 cm) tall when made with the recommended materials, making it the perfect size for display or gentle play. With its customizable colors and optional accessories like a tiny collar or bow, you can create a unique kitty companion that matches your personal style or resembles a beloved pet.

Materials

Yarn:

• Main Color (MC): Worsted weight (category 4) in your chosen cat color - 80 yards (73 meters) Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Silver Grey, Beige, Black, Orange, or White
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Worsted weight for inner ears and paw pads - 10 yards (9 meters) Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Pink
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Worsted weight for nose - 5 yards (5 meters) Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Pink or Black 

Hook:

3.5mm (E/4 US) crochet hook

Notions:

• Safety eyes: 9mm black (2)
• Polyester fiberfill: Approximately 2 oz (56g)
• Stitch markers (6-8)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Embroidery thread: Black for whiskers and mouth (optional)
• Pipe cleaners (optional, for posable tail)

Skill Level & Techniques

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Techniques Required:
  • Magic ring/adjustable ring
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Increase (inc)
  • Decrease (dec)
  • Working in continuous rounds
  • Color changes
  • Surface embroidery (optional, for facial details)
  • Attaching components securely
  • Dimensional shaping
• Expected Time Commitment: 4-6 hours

Abbreviations & Terms

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec: invisible decrease (decrease 2 stitches together)
• BLO: back loops only
• FLO: front loops only
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• MC: main color
• CC1: contrast color 1
• CC2: contrast color 2
• ( ): stitch count at end of round
• [ ]: repeat instructions inside brackets the number of times specified

Note: This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

Pattern Instructions

Head

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
• Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
• Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
• Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
• Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
• Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
• Rnds 9-14: sc in each st around (48)
• Rnd 15: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
• Rnd 16: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
• Rnd 17: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
• Rnd 18: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)

Place safety eyes between rounds 11 and 12, approximately 8-10 stitches apart.

Begin stuffing the head firmly, adding more stuffing as you continue.

• Rnd 19: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
• Rnd 20: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 21: [dec] 6 times (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing. Thread tail through front loops of remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

Body

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
• Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
• Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
• Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
• Rnds 7-12: sc in each st around (36)
• Rnd 13: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
• Rnd 14: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
• Rnd 15: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)

Begin stuffing the body firmly.

• Rnd 16: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 17: [dec] 6 times (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the head. Thread tail through front loops of remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.

Ears (Make 2)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
• Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18)

Switch to CC1 for inner ear:

• Rnd 5: In FLO, sc in each st around (18)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Flatten ear and sew the bottom edges together to create a triangular shape.

Arms (Make 2)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12)
• Rnd 4: [1 sc, dec] 4 times (8)
• Rnds 5-10: sc in each st around (8)

For paw pad (optional): Switch to CC1

• Rnd 11: sc in each st around (8)

Switch back to MC if you made a paw pad

• Rnd 12: sc in each st around (8)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly, keeping the end open for attachment.

Legs (Make 2)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
• Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
• Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18)
• Rnd 5: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
• Rnds 6-10: sc in each st around (12)

For paw pad (optional): Switch to CC1

• Rnd 11: sc in each st around (12)

Switch back to MC if you made a paw pad

• Rnd 12: sc in each st around (12)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly, keeping the end open for attachment.

Tail

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnds 2-15: sc in each st around (6)

Note: For a stiffer, posable tail, insert a pipe cleaner before stuffing and closing.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.

Nose

With CC2:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Flatten slightly before attaching.

Assembly

1. Attach Head to Body:

   • Position the head on top of the body, with the face pointing forward.
   • Using the tail from the body, sew the head to the body with small, tight stitches around the circumference where they meet.
   • Make sure the connection is secure, as this joint will bear weight.

2. Attach Ears:

   • Position the ears on top of the head, approximately 1/3 down from the top and spaced evenly apart.
   • The inner ear (CC1) should face forward.
   • Sew each ear securely in place with small stitches.

3. Attach Arms:

   • Position the arms on either side of the body, approximately at the middle of the body or slightly higher.
   • Sew each arm securely, angling them slightly forward for a natural pose.

4. Attach Legs:

   • Position the legs at the bottom of the body, spaced evenly apart.
   • Sew securely, ensuring the kitten can sit stably.

5. Attach Tail:

   • Position the tail at the back of the body, slightly above the bottom.
   • Sew securely, curving it slightly for a natural look.

6. Attach Nose:

   • Center the nose on the face, between and slightly below the eyes.
   • Sew securely in place.

7. Add Facial Details:

   • Using black embroidery thread, create whiskers by making long straight stitches from the sides of the nose.
   • Add a small smile below the nose with a curved stitch.
   • For additional detail, you can add small eyebrows above the eyes.

Technical Tips

• Tension Guidance: Work tightly to prevent stuffing from showing through. If you see gaps, consider using a smaller hook.

• Stuffing Technique: Add small amounts of fiberfill at a time, using a pencil or chopstick to push stuffing into narrow areas like the tail and limbs. Stuff the head especially firmly to maintain shape.

• Joining Components: When attaching parts, use the same color yarn as the body part and make small, tight stitches that won't be visible from the front.

• Creating Balanced Ears: After sewing the bottom edges of each ear together, make sure both ears have the same triangular shape before attaching to ensure symmetry.

• Eye Placement: Before securing safety eyes, place them temporarily and check the appearance from different angles. Once you're satisfied with the position, secure them permanently.

• Troubleshooting Stability: If your kitten won't sit properly, check that the bottom is flat and the legs are positioned evenly. You may need to adjust the stuffing or leg placement.

• Customization Options:

  • For a calico or tabby cat, use multiple colors in the main body
  • Add stripes using surface crochet or embroidery
  • Make a tiny collar with a bell or bow
  • Create different ear colors for unique markings
  • Adjust the tail length or curvature for different cat breeds

Conclusion & Care Instructions

The finished Cozy Kitten stands approximately 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 4 inches (10 cm) wide when sitting. For proper care, spot clean with a damp cloth as needed. If more thorough cleaning is required, hand wash gently in cold water with mild soap, squeeze excess water without wringing, and lay flat to dry. Avoid direct sunlight when drying or displaying, as this may fade the yarn colors over time.

Your kitten can be displayed sitting on a shelf, perched on a windowsill, or cuddled in bed. For a sweet scene, create multiple kittens in different colors to make a feline family!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I make my kitten's eyes look more expressive?

A: For more expressive eyes, position the safety eyes so they're angled slightly toward the center of the face rather than straight forward. You can also add tiny white embroidery highlights at the top corner of each eye to create a "sparkle" effect. If safety eyes aren't available, embroider eyes using satin stitch with black yarn, adding small white highlights.

Q: My kitten keeps tipping over. How do I fix this?

A: If your kitten won't stay upright, there are several solutions. First, check that the bottom is flat and that both legs are the same size and positioned symmetrically. You can add more stuffing to the lower body and legs for better stability. Alternatively, add a small weighted object (like a cleaned stone or a few craft beads in a small fabric pouch) to the bottom of the body before closing. Just ensure any weights are securely enclosed if the toy is for a child.

Q: Can I make this kitten larger or smaller?

A: Yes! To resize this pattern, you can change both your yarn weight and hook size. For a larger kitten, use bulky weight yarn with a 5.0mm hook. For a smaller version, try sport weight yarn with a 2.5mm hook. The stitch counts remain the same, but the finished size will change proportionally. Remember that smaller versions may be more challenging due to the tiny stitches required.

Q: How do I prevent stuffing from showing through my stitches?

A: To create tight, hole-free amigurumi, use a hook that is smaller than recommended for your yarn. For worsted weight, a 3.5mm or even 3.0mm hook works well. Additionally, ensure your tension is consistent and tight (but not so tight that it's difficult to insert the hook). When stuffing, use small amounts at a time and make sure it's evenly distributed without overstuffing.

Q: My magic ring always seems loose. How can I make it tighter?

A: After creating your 6 starting stitches in the magic ring, pull the yarn tail very firmly to close the ring completely before continuing to the next round. You can also reinforce it by weaving the tail through the center again before weaving in the end. If you consistently struggle with magic rings, an alternative is to ch 2, then make your starting stitches into the second chain from the hook.

Q: How do I make my decreases less visible?

A: Use the invisible decrease technique: insert your hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops (two loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This creates a much smoother appearance than traditional decreases. Work these decreases slightly tighter than your regular stitches for best results.

Q: What's the best way to attach the small pieces securely?

A: For secure attachments, use the yarn tail from the piece you're attaching rather than new yarn. Take small stitches that go deep into both pieces being joined. Sew in a complete circle around the base of the piece you're attaching, and then reinforce by passing through the same area 2-3 times in different directions. Knot your yarn securely inside the body where it won't be visible, and weave in ends thoroughly.

Q: Can I make this kitten washable for a child's toy?

A: Yes, for a more child-friendly, washable version, use acrylic yarn which is durable and machine washable. Ensure all parts are securely attached with strong stitches, and consider embroidering the eyes instead of using safety eyes if the toy is for very young children. Double-check that all ends are securely woven in and trimmed. Place the finished amigurumi in a mesh laundry bag for gentle machine washing when needed.

Q: How can I create different breeds or colors of cats with this pattern?

A: This pattern can be easily adapted for different cat breeds by changing colors and making simple modifications:

• For a Siamese: Use light beige with darker brown for ears, tail, face and paws
• For a tabby: Use orange or brown main color and add stripes with surface crochet or embroidery
• For a tuxedo cat: Use black with white chest, paws and face markings
• For a calico: Use white as the main color with patches of orange and black
• For a long-haired cat: Use a brush to lightly brush the finished amigurumi, creating a fluffy texture (only works with certain yarns like mohair blends)
• For different ear shapes, increase or decrease the number of rounds in the ear pattern

Q: My finished kitten doesn't look like the pattern photos. What went wrong?

A: Several factors can affect your finished appearance:

1. Check your gauge - if your stitches are much looser or tighter than the pattern assumes, your proportions will differ
2. Stuffing amount greatly impacts shape - too little creates a floppy toy, too much creates a taut, round shape
3. Placement matters - ensure eyes are positioned correctly and parts are attached at the right angles
4. Different yarn brands and fibers drape differently, affecting the final look Try making small adjustments to your next project, like using a smaller hook or stuffing more firmly. Remember that handmade items always have unique personality, which is part of their charm!