12 Free, Cuddly Kitty Knitting Patterns for Cat Lovers of All Ages

If you have a cat lover in your life, or if you’re the cat lover, try knitting a cozy kitty with one of these patterns

Do you know and love someone who loves cats?

Do you love cats?

Do you love knitting irresistible projects for children, whether you know them or not?

If you can answer yes to any (or all) of these questions, I think this particular knitting pattern collection is perfect for you!

Cats and Knitting: a Match Made in Heaven

You may wonder: why are cats featured in this collection? The simple reason is that, to me and to the culture at large, cats and knitting just seem to go together.

• We love yarn; so do cats.
• Cats love to snuggle next to us on the sofa; we love to knit with a cat snuggled next to us on the sofa.
• The enjoyment of knitting seems only amplified by a cat watching our knitting needles click.

The cat patterns offered here have so many great possibilities:

• A gift for children.
• A delight for any cat lover.
• Charity knitting projects (for both children and grown-ups).

And, of course, if you’re looking for a little knitted mascot for yourself, you can’t go wrong with a cat!

I’ve divided this collection into two categories. First are the “realistic” cat patterns. While you’re not likely to confuse any of these knitted cats for the real deal, they’re designed to look, at least superficially, like real cats.

The second category are the “cartoonish” cat patterns. These are not poorly-designed cats by any stretch! They are all beautiful and adorable in their own way. However, they were not designed to look at all like real cats.

(One glance at even a single pattern in this category, and I think you’ll know what I mean.)

So let’s get to the cute kitties!

Realistic Cats: Knitting Kitty Companions

The Window Cat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 170 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; tapestry needle; embellishments of your choice

• Why you’ll want to: This happy seated cat knitted in the round does indeed seem well-placed on a sunny window. A happy bit of decor for any home!

The Parlor Cat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 170 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This cat is knitted completely in the round, from head to tail. I just love the way it’s positioned, in that prim little way cats sit with their back legs tucked in and their little front paws arranged right below their faces.

Maru Kitty Plush Toy

• What you’ll need to make it: About 80 yards worsted weight feltable yarn (divided into 2 colors if desired); US Size 6 DPNs (this is knitted flat, but the design makes DPNs necessary); toy eyes or black yarn (for embroidery or duplicate stitch); pink embroidery thread; tapestry needle; stuffing

• Why you’ll want to: This is the only cat pattern in this collection that calls for felting. The difference in its appearance is astonishing; it looks almost like a real kitten. Or, at the very least, a quite professional-looking toy!

Four Knitted Cats – Tabby, Ginger, Black-and-white and Moggy

• What you’ll need to make them: About 300 yards DK weight yarn (in colors of your choice), plus small amounts of brown yarn for embroidery; US Size 2 needles; tapestry needle; sewing needle; stuffing; bits of brown, black, and blue or green felt (used for eyes); white and blue or green sewing thread (for eyes)

• Why you’ll want to: Just as the name suggests, this is a four-in-one pattern. (“Moggy” is the little gray cat.) The pattern is mostly the same for all four cats, with minor variations.

Cartoonish Cats: Designed to Make You Smile

Cats

• What you’ll need to make it: About 40 yards of fingering or sport weight yarn; US Size 1 or 2 needles; small amounts of black embroidery yarn; small amounts of pink and black felt; tapestry needle; sewing needle and thread; stuffing

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is terrific for beginners or anyone who wants to dash off a cute kitty.

Beans

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of DK weight yarn (probably no more than 20 or 30 yards); US Size 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round (DPNs necessary for I-cord); tapestry needle; felting needle; pink and black fleece; stuffing

• Why you’ll want to: This tiny fellow is knit in the round (sewing is minimal) and will give you the opportunity to try a little needle felting for the facial features.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty

• What you’ll need to make it: 40 to 80 yards yarn (anything from DK to heavy worsted weight should work); circular needles and/or DPNs 2 sizes smaller than the recommended size for your yarn, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; safety eyes or felt; pink embroidery yarn and embroidery needle; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: If you’re looking for a truly delightful way to use up leftover yarn, check out this pattern. It’s especially great when you have bits and pieces of one and maybe bits and pieces of another. Of course, it’s cute enough to use a fresh skein for, too.

Twinkle Kitty

• What you’ll need to make it: 30 to 35 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 to 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; small amounts of contrasting yarn for face embroidery; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Here’s another very cute, tiny cat with very minimal sewing required. You’ll only need to sew on the tail.

Kate

• What you’ll need to make it: 190 yards worsted weight yarn (in at least 2 colors); US Size 8 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch marker; tapestry needle; stuffing; safety eyes or embroidery yarn

• Why you’ll want to: This sweet cat cute little cat stylishly decked out in a shirt and trousers.

I Heart Cat Loves Dog

• What you’ll need to make it: 150 yards DK or worsted weight yarn in main color, 50 yards DK or worsted weight yarn in contrast color; US Size 4 or 5 (for DK) or 5 or 6 (for worsted) circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; plastic pellets; cut up sock or nylon; felt; embroidery thread and needle; sewing needle; safety eyes; 1 wooden or plastic DPN (optional, used as the “backbone”)

• Why you’ll want to: A crocheted pattern for Amineko the Cat inspired this pattern. As an added bonus, it includes a variation to knit a dog in the same style.

Roly Poly Kitty

• What you’ll need to make it: About 55 yards DK weight yarn in main color and 5 yards contrast color; US Size 4 (or smaller) circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stuffing; black yarn for embroidery; safety eyes (optional); tapestry needle; wire (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: It’s teeny, it’s utterly precious, and it’s as roly-poly as its name.

Hello Kitty

• What you’ll need to make it: About 300 yards worsted weight yarn (mostly white, with a little red); US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; black and yellow felt or buttons for eyes and nose; stitch marker; stuffing; tapestry needle; embroidery needles; black and yellow thread; stitch holders or spare DPNs or scrap yarn

• Why you’ll want to: No collection of cat knitting patterns could possibly be complete without a Hello Kitty pattern! This pattern makes perhaps the largest cat of the bunch; it’s about the size of a baby doll. (You could make her a little smaller with a lighter weight yarn and smaller needles.)

I’m confident that with this tremendous collection of cat knitting patterns, you’ll find the perfect one to use as a gift, a charity project, or for yourself.