The Bitty Kitty Buddy: A FREE Crochet Kitty Cat Pattern

Meet the purrr-fect little project! 🐾 This free crochet kitty cat pattern is soft, snuggly, and just the right amount of mischief. Stitch up a cuddly companion or the purr-fect companion for playtime, naptime, or gifting. Grab your yarn and hook—it’s time to crochet a meow-velous new friend!

This new bitty friend is huggable, quick-to-stitch and ohhh so cute! Add a rattle insert to the head or crinkle paper to the body for a sweet noise maker OR pop on a wooden teething ring for a tiny teether! Bitty buddies make some adorable little gifts for any little you love. Read on to find out how you can make your very own FREE crochet kitty cat pattern!

The Bitty Kitty Buddy is a unique design in the Bitty Buddy Collection featuring the bobble stitch. Bitty buddies are a tiny-sized cross between a security blanket and favorite stuffed animal, making them the perfect little loveys. They are teeny and sweet and make great rattles, teether toys or binky buddies! The bobbled texture and soft body structure provide great sensory input while the cute animal designs make them fun for play! Check out the full collection!

If you prefer the ad-free printable version of the bitty kitty, you can find it on Etsy or Ravelry.

Bitty Kitty is the purr-fect pet pal to Bitty Puppy! Check out the Bitty Puppy pattern here to add both pets to your collection!

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These bitties are meant for babies, so I typically prefer cotton yarn like Hobby Lobby, I Love This Cotton yarn or Lion Brand, 24/7 cotton. For this free crochet kitty cat pattern, I worked up the striped kitty in I Love This Cotton and the white kitty in an unbelievably soft polyester blend – Lion Brand Chenille Appeal! It may be a new favorite. In general, cotton yarn works up nicely and is great for teething babies to chew on. It doesn’t have loose strands of fiber shedding off, it is easy to wash and it just gets softer and softer over time. Though Chenille Appeal is not a cotton blend, it DOES seem like it will be able to hold up well to the love of little hands!

You can use other acrylic blends for these patterns, I just prefer the cotton. Plush is also an option! If you are looking to use something bulky, I recommend Premier, Parfait Chunky or Michael’s replacement for Posh or Baby Bear (RIP Joanns!).

MATERIALS:

Materials needed for this little free kitty cat crochet pattern will vary based on the type of yarn you choose. If you choose a size 4 yarn as pictured, you will need smaller hooks and slightly less yardage of yarn whereas if you use a size 5 or 6 yarn, you will need larger hooks and slightly more yardage of yarn. A quick note about bulkier yarns – these patterns can work well with size 5 bulky yarn or with a very thin “size 6” yarn. I do not recommend using this pattern with Bernat Blanket Yarn as I feel that it just comes out far too bulky! See the bitty butterfly pattern in my shop if you’d like a body style that works well with super bulky!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business

HOOK(S): [My all-time favorite hooks are Clover Amour hooks]

For Size 4 Cotton/Acrylic Yarn:
2.75 mm • US size C // 3.75 mm • US size F // 4.0 mm • US size G
For Bulkier Yarn (Parfait Chunky):
4.0 mm • US size G // 5.0 mm • US size H

YARN:

Weight : Worsted
Lion Brand, Chenille Appeal
Coconut Milk, ~80 yards

Hobby Lobby, I Love This Cotton Yarn
White, Dove and Pewter, ~80 yds (total yardage)

Scrap amounts of pink for ears

NOTIONS

GAUGE
Exact gauge is not necessary for this project

FINAL HEIGHT
~7.5 inches from top to bottom

OK, let’s get started!

If you prefer the ad-free printable version, you can find it on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code BITTY to save on any of the bitty buddy patterns!

Here’s a quick note! Most of my patterns use the bobble stitch. This is a unique stitch that creates bobbles which pop up off of the work to add to the texture and overall look of the project. For infants and children, this unique texture creates interest and great sensory input in their toy! I work my bobbles in the round by pushing them towards me rather than away from me so they end up on the outside of the work in the round. If you need help with this technique, see this stitch tutorial and check out this video which gives directions on how to work the bobble stitch in the round. The pattern featured in this video is the free pineapple plush, but the technique used is the same.

STITCH ABBREVIATIONS:

SPECIAL STITCHES:

BOBBLE STITCH (bobble): tutorial here

To make a bobble stitch you will work multiple double crochets into the same stitch.

(Yo, insert hook into st, draw up a loop, yo, pull through first two loops on hook) and repeat 3 more times. End with 5 loops on the hook – yo, pull through all 5 loops.

See this stitch tutorial for a step-by-step description with photos here.

You can choose to make the bobbles on the right or the wrong side of your project, just make sure they are on the outside of the body when finished.

DECREASE STITCHES (hdc2tog/sc2tog): To decrease stitches, you will hdc or sc 2 stitches together to decrease the stitch count. Pattern indicates which stitch to use for these decreases.

INCREASE STITCHES (inc): To increase stitches, you will sc or hdc 2 stitches into the same spot.

PATTERN:

MAKING THE EARS: (Make Two)
Use a 2.75 mm (C) hook for the ears of the cat.

You will make two inner ears (in pink) and then make two outer ears (in desired color). Do not cut yarn after making the outer ear – join them together by crocheting around both pieces.

Row 1: To begin, ch 2. Place 2 sc in the second ch from the hook. Ch 1 and turn. [2]
Row 2: [sc inc] x 2. Ch 1 and turn. [4]
Row 3: sc x 4 across. For inner ear, cut yarn and tie off. Make TWO inner ears. [4]
Repeat rows 1-3 for the outer ear. At the end of row 3, do NOT cut yarn and tie off.

Place the inner ear on top of the outer ear to crochet around the edge of both pieces (inner and outer) to join them together. Ch 1 and turn to start across the bottom of the ear, sc x 3, 2 sc in corner, sc x 2, 3 sc in top corner of ear, sc x 2. sc the in first st. Tie off leaving a long tail to sew the ears to the head.

MAKING THE HEAD:
*If desired, use a 3.75 mm (F) hook for the head for slightly tighter stitches than a 4.0 mm (G) hook*

Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 6 sc in the magic circle. Do not join. Continue to work in the round. [6]
Round 2: [sc inc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 3: [sc inc, sc] x 6 around. [18]
Round 4: [sc inc, sc x 2] x 6 around. [24]
Round 5: [sc inc, sc x 3] x 6 around. [30]
Rounds 6-11: sc x 30 around. (180 sts total) [30]
Round 12: [sc2tog, sc x 3] x 6 around. [24]
*Stop here and add safety eyes and/or rattle insert if desired. Alternatively, embroider the features after finishing the head. Begin stuffing head firmly.
Round 13: [sctog, sc x 2] x 6 around. [18]
Round 14: [sc2tog, sc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 15: [sc2tog] in each st. around. [6]

Leaving a bit of a tail, cut and tie off your yarn. Thread a needle and sew under the front loop of each remaining stitch. Cinch tightly together to close the head. Tie off and weave in your ends.

For the arms, tail and body of the cat there are options! Choose to make a single colored kitty OR create a striped kitty by following the color change instructions. If you prefer a single colored kitty, just continue working in the same color for the entirety of the pattern instructions!

MAKING THE ARMS: (Make Two)
*Use a 4.0 mm (G) hook for the arms, tail and body of the cat*

Round 1: Using the main body color OR white for the striped kitty, make a magic circle. Place 6 sc in the magic circle. Do not join. Continue to work in the round. [6]
Rounds 2-11: sc x 6 around. (60 sts total) [6]
*For striped kitty, work rounds 2-3 in white, rounds 5/8/11 in desired stripe color and all remaining rounds in main color.
Round 12: Pinch the top of the arm together and place 3 sc through each side in order to close off the arm. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in ends. [3]

Set arms aside to add to the body during assembly.

MAKING THE TAIL:
*Use a 4.0 mm (G) hook for the arms, tail and body of the cat*

Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 5 sc in MC. Do not join. Continue to work in the round. [5]
Rounds 2-16: sc x 5 around. (75 stitches total) [5]
*For striped kitty, work rounds 2-5 in white, rounds 7/10/13/16 in desired stripe color and all remaining rounds in main color.
*Make the tail shorter or longer by subtracting or adding rounds*
Round 17: Pinch the tail together and place 2-3 sc through each side in order to close off the tail. Leaving a long tail to sew to body, cut yarn and tie off.

Set aside for assembly.

MAKING THE BODY:
*Use a 4.0 mm (G) hook for the arms, tail and body of the cat*

Stitch counts are included at the end of each round. Bobble rows include [total # stitches, # bobble stitches]. You will not join at the end of each row. You will continue to work in the round.

*For striped kitty, work rounds 4/8/12/16 in desired stripe color and all remaining rounds in main color.

Round 1: To begin, make a magic circle. Place 6 hdc stitches in the magic circle. Do not join. Continue to work in the round. [6]
Round 2: [hdc inc] x 6 around. [12]
Round 3: [hdc inc, hdc] around. [18]
Round 4: [sc x 2, bobble] x 6. [18, 6 bobbles]
Round 5: [hdc inc, hdc x 2] around. [24]
Round 6: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 5, sc [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 7: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 8: sc, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 5, sc x 2. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 9: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 10: [bobble, sc x 3] x 6. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 11: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 12: [sc x 3, bobble] x 6 [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 13: hdc x 24 around. [24]
Round 14: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 5, sc. [24, 6 bobbles]
Round 15: [hdc x 2, hdc2tog] x 6. [18]
Round 16: [sc, bobble, sc] x 6. [18, 6 bobbles]
Round 17: hdc x 18 around. [18]
Round 18: [sc, sc2tog] x 6. [12]

At this point, add the arms to your cat, to avoid having to sew them in later. Both arms should be closed (as written above) with three stitches across. Add in arms as below:

Round 19: sc x 3. For the next three stitches, place your first arm on the outside of the body and sc x 3 through both the arm and the stitches of the neck. This will attach your first arm. sc x 2. For the next three stitches, place your second arm on the outside of the body and sc x 3 through both the arm and the stitches of the neck. This will attach your second arm. sc x 1 to finish the round. [12]
Round 20: [sc2tog, sc x 2] x 3. [9]

Sl st to first st and then, leaving a long tail, cut yarn and tie off. Tail will be used to attach the head to body, so be sure to leave it long enough!

ASSEMBLY OF YOUR BITTY BUDDY:

You should have the head completed, a body with two attached arms and then two ears and a tail.

Next, attach the body to the head. I highly recommend using pins to ensure that your head is sewn on straight and centered to the body. I prefer starting from the back of the body/head and moving around the front. Carefully stitch through the body and head to attach. I prefer to stitch around the head twice, to make sure it is very securely fastened.

If you need help with attaching the head, check out this YouTube tutorial.

ADDING THE FEATURES:

Embroider the eyes across rounds 6-7 from the top of the head. See this tutorial for help with embroidery. Leave ~4 sts between the eyes.
Use pink thread to sew a small nose for the cat. Make a straight line across three stitches between rounds 7-8 and centered between the eyes. Make multiple passes across this spot to thicken the size of the nose. If desired, make a straight line down from the middle of the nose to about two rows lower to create a small mouth.
Add whiskers by embroidering two small lines on either side of the nose. In sample, these are added in a straight line across round 9 and a slightly diagonal line across round 11.
Add ears by sewing them evenly spaced across rounds 3-6 of the head. Use pins to help with placement.
For the striped tabby embroider stripes on the head, if desired! Three stripes across the top center rounds of the head and then two stripes around the sides of the head, ending slightly in front of the ears. Be sure to leave space for the whiskers!

After attaching the head, sew the tail centered to the back of the body, around round 7. Consider adding a pipe cleaner in the tail, if you’d like to be able to bend! However, use caution with infants!

Once you have finished the features and assembly, that’s it! Enjoy your new bitty buddy!

If you liked this free crochet kitty cat pattern, you may also like the other bitties in the collection! Check out the free bitty patterns available here on the website or the bitty collection available on Etsy.

If you make this bitty kitty pattern, I’d love for you to share! On Instagram, use #bittybuddy and tag me @_stuckonyoucrochet_ OR share on Facebook! And remember…if you prefer the ad-free printable version, you can find it on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code BITTY to save on any of the bitty buddy patterns!

Thanks for checking out this bitty kitty pattern and stay tuned for more bitty buddy patterns to come!

Please Note!
This pattern and the pictures are the property of Allison Wasserman and may not be copied, shared, reproduced or sold in part or in whole. The pattern may not be altered or rewritten in any way for resale. You may not use any photos without consent. You are permitted to sell the finished product in small quantities, but please credit the designer by linking to the shop or pattern in your online description.