About This Pattern
This kitty is a small, round thing. It starts with a magic circle and grows by increase rounds. The head alone runs twelve rounds, so it holds real shape. It fits into a quiet evening, one part at a time. It needs a 5 mm hook, stuffing, and a bit of patience for the shaping rounds. Nothing about it is rushed. You build the face round by round, and it starts to look back at you.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain
- st
- stitch
- sc
- single crochet
- inc
- increase
- dec
- decrease
- R
- round
Amigurumi kitty crochet pattern with a shaped head
Head
- Round 1mc with 6 st (6)
- Round 2inc x 6 (12)Step by step: 12 sc F.o. and cut the yarn on the first leg. Don’t cut the yarn on the second leg!.
- Round 3(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
- Round 4(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
- Round 5(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
- Round 6(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
- Round 7(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
- Rounds 8–1242 sc
- Round 13(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
- Round 14(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
- Round 15(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
- Round 16(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
F.o.
Legs+body:
Hook size
Abbreviations: R = row mc = magic circle ch = chain sc = single crochet st = stitch inc = 2 sc in the next stitch dec = single crochet 2 stitches together
F.o. = finish off ( ) = number of stitches you should have at the end of the round/row ( )* 6 = repeat whatever is between the brackets the number of times stated
Arms
Ready to Learn More? Open the next page for Further Guidance!
Pages:
Before the first stitch
- Check your yarn amount covers head, arms, and body before casting on.
- Read through the twelve head rounds first, so the shaping makes sense.
- Have a stitch marker ready for tracking rounds in continuous single crochet.
Minutes per piece
- Head about 45-60 minutes because it runs twelve rounds with several increase stages
- Arms and remaining pieces about 60-90 minutes because small parts add up even without heavy shaping
Other yarns that work
- Cotton, worsted weight Gives a crisper stitch definition, holds its shape well, and may need a touch more stuffing for softness.
- Acrylic, worsted weight Feels softer and drapier, stuffs up easily, and keeps the same 5 mm hook size.
Where it ends up
- A soft kitty for a child's shelf, paired with a small blanket square.
- A desk companion for quiet work breaks, sitting near a mug or lamp.
- A gift for a new baby's room, paired with a simple crochet rattle.
Small notes
- Use a 5 mm hook throughout, so stitches stay firm enough to hold stuffing.
- Keep tension snug on the head rounds, so no stuffing peeks through gaps.
- Leave a long tail when you finish off the first leg of the head, for sewing later.
Little questions
Why does the head take twelve rounds?
The head shapes through several increase rounds before it settles. That gives it a rounder, fuller look. Fewer rounds would leave it flatter.
Do I need to cut the yarn after every round?
No, only where the pattern says to finish off. After the first head round, you cut one leg but keep working the second. That keeps the piece continuous where it needs to be.
What hook size does this pattern use?
A 5 mm hook, throughout every part. That size keeps stitches tight enough to hold the stuffing in.
Can I make the kitty bigger with thicker yarn?
Yes, a thicker yarn will scale the whole toy up. You would likely need a larger hook to match. Stitch counts would stay the same, but the finished size would grow.
Original pattern: https://onrecip.com/free-amigurumi-soft-kitty-crochet-pattern/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
