Help these sweet knitted cats find their forever home by casting on our brilliant cat knitting pattern and brining one of them home today! Which is your favourite breed or colour? Our knitted cats come in three brilliant colouways for you to choose from. Our ginger knitted cat has distinctive stripes in pale and dark orange, or choose our grey knitted cat with his sweet white face and adorable white socks. Or for a pedigree knitted cat, why not choose our Siamese cat knitting pattern? This sweetie has a dark brown face and boots with a tan body, all knitted using easy-care 100% acrylic yarn. And unlike any cats you have at home, our knitted cats are all sporting colourful bottom-up dungarees. If you do have dungarees on your real-life pet cat, please do send us a photograph!
The cat knitting pattern is worked from the bottom paw up through the hind legs towards the head. The fore legs are picked up from each side of the body and knitted after the body and head have been completed. The front and back are then sewn together around the outside. The dungarees are worked in two main pieces from the top down. The straps are knitted separately. To aid with finishing, leave long cast-on and cast-off tails for sewing up seams.
Sophie has designed the knitted cats using 100% acrylic yarn, Hayfield Bonus DK. This is a good value easy-care yarn with an impressive range of colours. You can buy Hayfield Bonus DK yarn from Lovecrafts and the cats knitting pattern lists specific colours rom this range. But you can easily swap in other DK yarn if you have these already, and can easily alter the colours of the cat to suit your own pet.
The cat knitting pattern was originally published in Simply Knitting magazine issue 188, and the designer, Sophie Jordan is the Operations Editor there. She let us in on a little secret about why she chose the colours she did in her knitted cats. "Two of these kittens are modelled on cats I’ve actually owned," she told us. "I suppose the last one is of a cat I’m hoping I may get in the future! Can you guess which is which?" Ooooh Sophie, we think that the two moggies may be the real life cat, and maybe the Siamese is the dream pet. But be they moggy or pedigree, all of the knitted cats are the prefect choice to us.
Want some more knitted animal patterns? Check out our elephant knitting pattern or our toy dog knitting patterns. You should enjoy our free bird knitting patterns too. We are working our way towards having an entire zoo of knitted animals for you to choose from!
Cat knitting pattern
Knitted cat materials
- Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) Ginger Kitten 1 ball of each: Yarn A Fox (779), Yarn B Pecan (677), Yarn C White (961), Yarn D Black (965), Yarn E Pretty Pink (657), Yarn J Bluebell (969) Grey Kitten 1 ball of each: Yarn C White (961), Yarn F Dark Grey Mix (790), Yarn D Black (965), Yarn E Pretty Pink (657) Siamese Kitten 1 ball of each: Yarn B Pecan (677), Yarn H Chocolate (947), Yarn E Pretty Pink (657), Yarn K Lemongrass (699) Buy Hayfield Bonus DK yarn from Lovecrafts
- A pair of 3mm knitting needles
- Stitch holder
- Locking stitch markers
- Toy filling
- Buttons (2 per kitten), 1cm diameter
Knitted cat tension
The tension you need for the cat knitting pattern should be 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles. To find out more about tension, how to work out what yours is and how useful it is for your projects, see our article on knitting tension squares.
Knitted cat measurements
Each of the knitted cats will be 36cm (141/4in) tall when knitted up according to the cat knitting pattern.
Abbreviations in the cat knitting pattern
The cat knitting pattern uses standard uk knitting pattern abbreviations. For a full list, see our knitting abbreviations article.
Knitted cat back and front (both alike) Paw and hind leg 1
Cast on 8 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn C (Ginger and Grey knitted cat) or Yarn H (Siamese knitted cat). Row 1 (RS) (K1 tbl) 8 times. Row 2 Purl. Row 3 Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [2 sts inc’d] Rows 4 to 9 Rep Rows 2 and 3 another 3 times. [16 sts] Rows 10 to 12 Starting on a WS purl row, work in st st. Row 13 K2tog, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [2 sts dec’d] Row 14 Purl. Rows 15 to 20 Rep Rows 13 and 14 another 3 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and change to Yarn A (Ginger knitted cat), Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat).
Ginger knitted cat only Starting on a RS knit row, work 4 rows in st st. Change to Yarn B and work 4 rows in st st. These 8 rows form stripe pattern. Cont in patt for a further 20 rows. **
Grey and Siamese knitted cats only Starting on a RS knit row, work 28 rows in st st.**
All knitted cats Break yarn, slip rem sts on a stitch holder and set aside.
Paw and hind leg 2
Work as given for Paw and Hind Leg 1 to **.
Body and head
Next row With RS facing and continuing in Stripe Pattern (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat) knit across 8 sts of second leg, then knit across 8 held sts from first leg, securing the loose thread in the middle. [16 sts] Next row Purl. Next row Kfb, knit to the last stitch, kfb. [2 sts inc’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last two rows another 4 times. [26 sts] Starting on a RS knit row, work 14 rows in st st. Next row K2tog, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [2 sts dec’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last 2 rows another 6 times. [12 sts] Mark each edge of last row to denote beginning of neck.
Note For the Head Front if knitting Grey knitted cat change to Yarn C, for Ginger knitted cat continue in Stripe Pattern and for Siamese knitted cat change to Yarn H.
Next row Knit. Next row Purl. Next row Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [2 sts inc’d] Rep the last 2 rows another 5 times. [24 sts] Starting on a WS purl row, work 5 rows in st st. Next row K2tog, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [2 sts dec’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last 2 rows another 7 times. [8 sts] Cast off.
Fore leg and paw 1 With RS facing and knitted cat’s legs pointing towards your left, beg at neck marker and pick up and knit 8 stitches working from the neck marker downwards using Yarn B (Ginger knitted cat and Siamese knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat). [8 sts]
Cont in st st and Stripe Pattern (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat). Work 27 rows ending after a WS purl row.
***Work the Paw as folls: Change to Yarn C (Ginger and Grey knitted cats) or Yarn H (Siamese knitted cat). Next row Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [2 sts inc’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last 2 rows 2 more times. [14 sts] Starting on a RS knit row, work 2 rows in st st. Next row K2tog, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [2 sts dec’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last 2 rows 2 more times. [8 sts] Cast off.
Fore leg and paw 2 With RS facing and kitten’s legs pointing towards your right, count 8 rows away from the neck marker towards the legs, then pick up and knit 8 sts working from this point as far as the neck marker using Yarn B (Ginger knitted cat or Siamese knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat).
Cont in stocking stitch and Stripe Pattern (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat). Work 27 rows ending after a WS purl row.
Work Paw from *** to end of Fore Leg & Paw 1.
Ears
Note For Ginger knitted cat make 2 in Yarn A and 2 in Yarn B; for Grey knitted cat make 2 in Yarn F and 2 in Yarn C, for Siamese knitted cat make 2 in Yarn H and 2 in Yarn B.
Cast on 12 sts using 3mm needles. Next row (K1 tbl) 12 times. Next row Purl. Next row K2tog, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [2 sts dec’d] Rep the last 2 rows another 4 times. [2 sts] Next row Purl. Next row K2tog. [1 st] Break yarn and thread through rem st. Pull tight to fasten.
Tail Cast on 5 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn C (Ginger and Grey knitted cats) or Yarn H (Siamese knitted cat). Next row Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [2 sts inc’d] Next row Purl. Rep the last 2 rows another 3 times. [13 sts] Change to Stripe Pattern (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or cont in Yarn H (Siamese knitted cat). Starting on a RS knit row, work 44 rows in st st. Cast off.
Dungarees front Cast on 36 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn J (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn E (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn K (Siamese knitted cat). Next row (K1 tbl) 36 times. Starting on a WS purl row, work 17 rows in st st. Next row K18, turn and work on these 18 sts only for first leg. Starting on a WS purl row, work 12 rows in st st. Cast off these 18 sts purlwise. With RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem 18 sts for second leg. Next row Knit. Starting on a WS purl row, work 11 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off.
With RS facing and cast-on edge uppermost, count 12 sts in from the right-hand side, then pick up and knit 12 sts for bib, making sure they sit in the middle of the Dungarees Front. Starting on a WS purl row, work 13 rows in st st. Cast off.
Dungarees back Cast on 36 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn J (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn E (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn K (Siamese knitted cat). Next row (K1 tbl) 36 times. Starting on a WS purl row, work 7 rows in stocking stitch. Next row (Hole for the tail) K14, cast off 8 sts, K to end. [28 sts] Next row P14, cast on 8 sts, P to end. [36 sts] Next row K13, (K1 tbl) 10 times, K to end. Starting on a WS purl row, work 7 rows in st st. Next row K18, turn and work on these 18 sts only for first leg. Starting on a WS purl row, work 11 rows in st st. Cast off. With RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem 18 sts for second leg. Next row Knit. Starting on a WS purl row, work 11 rows in st st. Cast off.
Dungaree straps (make 2) Cast on 40 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn J (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn E (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn K (Siamese knitted cat). Row 1 (K1 tbl) 40 times. Row 2 (K1 tbl) twice, cast off 3 sts for buttonhole, *K1 tbl; rep from * to end. [37 sts] Row 3 (K1 tbl) 35 times, cast on 3 sts, (K1 tbl) twice. [40 sts] Cast off, knitting all the sts tbl.
Making up the knitted cats
Knitted cat body and head Sew around the knitted cat front and back RS together using colour-matching yarn and leaving a gap for turning. Turn RS out. Using small amounts of stuffing fill the knitted cat legs, working right down to the paw and using the blunt end of a knitting needle to push the stuffing to the ends. Fill sufficiently but do not overfill. The knitted cat should look flat. Ears With Yarn E, Swiss darn inner ear section onto one of the Yarn B (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn C (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat) Ear pieces. Sew this section to a Yarn A (Ginger knitted cat) or Yarn F (Grey knitted cat) or Yarn H (Siamese knitted cat) Ear section, WS together using a colour matching yarn and oversewing the edges. Sew completed ears to knitted cat's head using colour-matching yarn and the photo as a guide to position. Dungarees Sew Dungaree Front and Back with RS together, at the side seams. Sew inner leg seams. Sew the straps to the back of the Dungarees making sure the buttonhole is at the free end. Sew buttons to the top two corners of the Dungarees bib. Weave in all ends and place dungarees on knitted cat. Face Separate and pull out a single ply 1m length of Yarn D (Ginger and Grey knitted cat) or Yarn B (Siamese knitted cat), backstitch knitted cat’s face using the photo as a guide.
Create a simple triangular nose using a group of backstitches in Yarn E. Toes Thread a tapestry needle with Yarn D (Ginger and Grey knitted cat) or Yarn C yarn (Siamese knitted cat). Push the needle through the knitted cat’s paw and out the other side (use the photo to locate the entry points). Remove the needle and tie the ends of the Yarn D together in a double knot, pulling the edge of the knitted cat’s paw in slightly. Trim the ends reasonably close to the knot and, using the tapestry needle push the knot into the paw to hide it. Repeat to create all the toes.
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Download the cat knitting pattern
We know that many of our Gathered makers would appreciate a printer-friendly version of the cat knitting pattern, or one they can save on their own computer to refer back to later. So we have prepared this PDF of the cat knitting pattern that will fulfil both these needs for you. You are welcomer! We hope this is handy download that will save you printer ink or mean you can always find the pattern you need on your own machine.
Click to download the cat knitting pattern PDF. This is an A4 PDF with 3 pages containing the cat knitting pattern and associated pictures and advice.
More like the cat knitting pattern
Looking for more great free knitting pattern like this to continue your knitting journey? Take a look at our pirate toy knitting pattern, which was also created by designer Sophie Jordan.
