This past summer, I took on a new life role as Cat Mom! My husband and I adopted a kitten named Soba (like the Japanese noodles). Soba is the most un-catlike cat I’ve ever met. He greets us at the door, he plays fetch, and he is best friends with our actual dog, Buddy. I’ve never had a cat before so it was definitely an adjustment, especially figuring out how to work with yarn around his “attack cat” instincts. Despite his crazy antics, I love his energy and am so happy we have him in our lives.
This crochet project was inspired by Soba. I created a simple amigurumi cat using Bernat Blanket yarn. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or you know, have a life that doesn’t revolve around yarn), you’ve probably heard of Bernat Blanket. This luscious yarn is thick, soft, and oh-so squishy. Not to mention it’s very affordable and widely available at most chain craft stores. This yarn is primarily meant for blankets, but I decided to push the envelope and use it for an amigurumi project!
Since this yarn is nice and chunky, the plush cat crocheted up very quickly. I also kept it minimal as far as pieces so it’s the perfect project for someone fairly new to amigurumi. This post provides you with the patterns for each piece and a tutorial on how to assemble the doll. Prerequisites include being able to do the single crochet stitch, create a magic circle, crochet in the round, and some basic sewing. The end result is as soft and cuddly as my Soba!
Note: “Amigurumi” is the Japanese term for crochet plush dolls.
Materials
- Bernat Blanket yarn (or another size 6/super bulky yarn) – I used just under 100 yards of “Dark Gray”
- Size K (6.5mm) crochet hook
- Worsted weight yarn – a small amount in the colors of your choosing for the nose and collar. The collar is optional, but adds a nice touch.
- Size G (4mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Poly-Fil fiber filling – for stuffing the doll
- Safety eyes – Two 12mm eyes
Abbreviations
- SC = Single crochet
- SC2tog = Single crochet two stitches together (decrease)
- St = Stitch(es)
- Rnd = Round
- Ch = Chain
Instructions
Body
Using Bernat Blanket yarn and size K hook, create a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 8 SC in magic circle (8)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st (16)
Rnd 3: *2 SC in one st. 1 SC in next st.* Repeat * until end of rnd (24)
Rnd 4-8: 1 SC in each st (24)
Rnd 9: *1 SC in each st for 6 st. SC2tog.* Repeat* until end of rnd (21)
Rnd 10: 1 SC in each st (21)
Rnd 11: *1 SC in each st for 5 st. SC2tog.* Repeat * until end of rnd (18)
Rnd 12: 1 SC in each st (18)
Rnd 13: *1 SC in each st for 4 st. SC2tog* Repeat* until end of rnd (15)
Rnd 14: *1 SC in each st (15)
Rnd 15: *1 SC in each for 3 st. SC2tog* Repeat* until end of rnd (12)
Cut and tie off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Head
Using Bernat Blanket yarn and size K hook, create a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 6 SC in magic circle (6)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st (12)
Rnd 3: *2 SC in one st. 1 SC in next st* Repeat* until end of rnd (18)
Rnd 4: *2 SC in one st. 1 SC in next 2 st* Repeat* until end of rnd (24)
Rnd 5-6: 1 SC in each st (24)
Rnd 7: *1 SC in each st for 4 st. SC2tog* Repeat* until end of rnd (20)
Rnd 8: *1 SC in each st for 3 st. SC2tog* Repeat* until end of rnd (16)
Rnd 9: *1 SC in each st for 2 st. SC2tog* Repeat* until end of rnd (12)
Cut and tie off yarn.
Ears (Make 2)
Using Bernat Blanket yarn and size K hook, ch 2.
Row 1: 2 SC in second ch from hook (3) (The first ch counts as 1 SC)
Row 2: 1 SC in each st (3)
Row 3: 1 SC in first st. 2 SC in second st. 1 SC in last st (4)
Cut and tie off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Tail
Using Bernat Blanket yarn and size K hook, create a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 4 SC in magic circle (4)
Continue with 1 SC in each st until tail is four inches long.
Cut and tie off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Nose
Using worsted weight yarn and size G hook, ch 2.
Row 1: 2 SC in second ch from hook (3) (The first ch counts as 1 SC)
Row 2: 1 SC in each st (3)
Row 3: 1 SC in first st. 2 SC in second st. 1 SC in last st (4)
Cut and tie off yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Note: This is the same pattern used for the ears, but it creates a smaller triangle shape with the worsted weight yarn.
Optional Collar and Pendant
Band:
Using worsted weight yarn and size G hook, ch 36.
Row 1: SC in second ch from hook. Continue with 1 SC in each ch until end of row (35).
Cut and tie off yarn, leaving a long tail for tying.
Pendant:
Using worsted weight yarn and size G hook, create a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 8 SC in magic circle (8)
Cut yarn and tie pendant to band.
Assembly
- Using a tapestry needle and the yarn left on the tail, sew tail to bottom back side of body. Weave in ends.
- Stuff body with Poly-Fil.
- Using tapestry needle and yarn left on nose, sew nose to center front side of head. Weave in ends.
- Attach safety eyes to head, just above the nose. They should be about 3/4 of an inch apart.
- Using the tapestry needle, and yarn left on ears, sew ears to top of the head. Ears should be about 1 inch apart. Weave in ends.
- Stuff head with Poly-Fil.
- Using tapestry needle and long tail left on body, sew head to body. Weave in ends.
- Tie collar around neck. Weave in ends.
That’s all, folks! Your amigurumi cat is finished and ready for cuddles! Actual Soba is still a little weary of Yarn Soba, but I hope they become fast friends 😉
I would love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @darsi_stitches and share this pattern with your friends and followers.
I am new to writing patterns and always appreciate feedback. Leave me a comment down below with your thoughts.
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