Amigurumi Basics: Make Your Own Kitty Cat

Have you wanted to make amigurumi crochet patterns, but you aren’t sure where to start? These projects can be so fun to make, and they really are quite simple once you break down the steps. In this video, crochet expert and amigurumi lover Brenda K.B. Anderson demonstrates how to make an adorable crocheted kitty cat. You’ll learn everything you need to know to go forth and stitch all sorts of cute amigurumi projects!

To begin, Brenda starts with the head/body of the cat. She makes an adjustable loop (also known as magic ring, magic loop, or adjustable ring) and works six single crochets into it. She tightens the loop and begins working in continuous rounds. Because continuous rounds are worked in a spiral, it can be difficult to tell when you’re starting a new round; Brenda places a locking stitch marker to keep her place. She follows the pattern, increasing by working two single crochets into a single stitch. After working straight (one single crochet into each stitch) for several rounds, Brenda begins decreasing. She works her invisible decrease as follows:

– Insert hook under front loop of next stitch
– Insert hook under both loops of next stitch
– Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook)
– Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (1 loop remains on hook; decrease is complete)

As Brenda is decreasing, she places the safety eyes* and starts stuffing the piece. She continues following the pattern and closes the piece by running a yarn and tapestry needle through the front loops of the remaining six stitches and cinches it closed.

With the head/body complete, Brenda moves on to stitching the arms. The arms also start with an adjustable loop, with bobbles created for the thumbs. She stuffs only the hands of these pieces, allowing for the arms to remain floppy. She then stitches the legs, using short rows to shape the fit. She completes the kitty cat by stitching the ears and tail.

Once all the pieces are assembled, Brenda begins sewing them onto the head/body. She shares her tips for getting everything in the right place, and then embroiders the face details onto the amigurumi cat. What a cutie!

*Safety eyes should only be used on toys for ages 3 & up; embroider the eyes on if recipient is under the age of 3.