Catnap Kitties · Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Hello my fellow crocheters,
I'm so excited to share with you my newest free pattern. Meet the Catnap Kitties! These are so cute and fun to make; I had a blast designing them! What's even more awesome is that they come with their own pint-sized beds so that your little one can have fun “tucking” these kittens to sleep at night.
This pattern is...
- Beginner-friendly
- Quick to work up
- 100% crocheted (no sewing needed!)
- Great for using up scrap yarns (in other words, an awesome "stashbuster"!)
- Fun toy for kids to play with
- Unisex, for both boys and girls and everyone in-between!
- Perfect as party favors, birthday presents, holiday or Christmas gifts, craft fairs, and more!
The Yarn I Used
For this project, I used the Brava Mini Packs from KnitPicks. I got it in the "Rainbow" color scheme, which included 24 gorgeous colors, ranging from pastels to vibrant, jewel-toned shades! As an amigurumi artist who often needs to use a large variety of colors, this was the PERFECT product for me because I can so conveniently pursue my color cravings...without having to buy full skeins! In addition, it's also soft and easy to work with. It's seriously the perfect solution and I know I'm sticking to Brava for my amigurumi needs!
Make this project for...
Anyone who'd love this fun, miniature "doll and bed" set! This small toy is perfect for little hands. Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary kids will love playing with these fun, colorful dolls. As mentioned earlier, these would make great party favors, birthday gifts, holiday and Christmas gifts, and craft fair items. Since it's unisex, it's suitable for both boys, girls, and everyone in-between!
Worry Doll
These little kitties can also serve as crochet worry dolls! Worry dolls are typically handmade dolls, and they originate from the highland indigenous people of Guatemala. They're also found in Mexico. According to legend, a child can tell his worries to the Worry Doll and place the doll under his pillow when he goes to bed at night. By morning, the doll would have gifted him with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate his worries. The story of the worry doll is a local Mayan legend.
Whether or not you believe in legends, I think these dolls can serve as great "worry buddies" for children with anxiety or sensory difficulties, as they can use a tangible little friend to calm down if needed. Since these dolls are so small, they can easily be tucked into pockets and carried around. Maybe it can even help a child on his first day of school by giving him some confidence and bravery to bring in a piece of familiarity from home to his new environment!
(For more therapy toys, be sure to check out my Free Crochet Pattern Roundup of Amigurumi for Therapy.)
Pattern Preview Video
Watch the set in action! Here's the pattern preview video for the Catnap Kitties.
If you like this design of mine, you can check out the other Amigurumi Patterns I have on my site, or click to see all my Free Crochet Patterns!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my shop, Ravelry or Etsy.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
CATNAP KITTIES
Free Crochet Pattern
Copyright Notice -- © 2021 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Introduction:
The Catnap Kitties are the cutest little mini dolls that you’ll have the pleasure of making! They come with their own pint-sized bed so that your little one can have fun “tucking” these kittens to sleep at night. This beginner-friendly pattern is so quick and easy to work up. It is a no-sew design, which means everything is crocheted only. The cat dolls are worked completely in one, seamless piece. Since it only requires a small amount of yarn, this is a stashbuster project and a great way to use up scrap yarn. The color changes in this pattern can be considered tapestry crochet, and if you've never tried it before, this is an easy introductory way to try it out in amigurumi. Both boys and girls will love playing with this fun toy. Catnap Kitties are great to make as birthday presents for children, holiday or Christmas gifts, kids party favors, and more.
The PDF pattern includes complete written instructions and photo references. A step-by-step video tutorial is also available for this DIY project.
Size:
Doll: 7cm in height. Bed: 7cm x 9cm.
Level of Difficulty:
★★☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching yarn, changing yarn colors, attaching safety eyes, and sewing parts together.
Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO: fasten off
- Ch: chain
- Sp: space
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Hdc: half double crochet
- Inc: increase
- Dec: decrease
- BLO: back loops only
Materials:
- Medium weight 4 yarn in desired colors (I used Brava Mini Packs from KnitPicks)
- 2.75mm hook (for doll)
- 4mm crochet hook (for bed)
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
~ CROCHET INSTRUCTIONS ~
Note: A complete video tutorial is also available, or scroll down to view it on this page.
PART 1: DOLL
Use the 2.75mm hook. Start with C1 yarn.
R1: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc across. (5 sc total at this point.) Then, sc 5 across the other side of the ch. (10 sc total in this round.)
R2: (Sc, inc) x 5. (15 sts)
R3: Sc around. (15 sts)
Switch to C2. (Do not FO C1 as you will continue using it.)
R4: Sc around. (15 sts)
R5: Sc around, but alternate with C1 for every other stitch. (15 sts)
R6: Sc around. (15 sts)
R7: Sc around, but alternate with C1 for every other stitch. (15 sts)
R8: Sc around. (15 sts)
Switch to C1.
R9: (Sc, dec) x 5. (10 sts)
R10: (Sc, inc) x 5. (15 sts)
Switch to C3.
R11: (Sc 2, inc) x 5. (20 sts)
R12: (Sc 3, inc) x 5. (25 sts)
R13-R14: Sc around. (25 sts)
R15: (Sc 3, dec) x 5. (20 sts)
R16: (Sc 3, dec) x 4. (16 sts)
FO and attach 6mm plastic safety eyes between R13-R14, 5 sts apart. Stuff the doll well.
Closing the head: Squeeze the top round (R16) shut. Attach yarn to the side of the head and sc across, going through both front and back sts of R16. (8 sts)
PART 2: BED
Colored Blanket Section
Notes:
- The ch-2 spaces in this section make the corners of the blanket.
- The blanket is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join with a sl st.
- Use a 4mm hook for all parts of the bed.
Start with blanket color yarn using a 4mm hook.
R1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook: (sc, ch 2) x 4.
R2: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch) x 4.
R3: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
R4: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next two ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
R5: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next three ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
Switch to white yarn.
R6: In first ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next four ch-1 sp: sc, ch. In corner ch-2 sp: sc. Stop and continue with next row.
R7: Ch 2 (does not count as first hdc), turn. Hdc across in BLO. (12 sts)
FO.
Mattress Section
Use white yarn and a 4mm hook.
R1: Fhdc 10. (Non-Fhdc method: ch 12, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across.)
R2-R9: Ch 2 (does not count as first hdc), turn. Hdc across. (10 sts)
Do not FO. Continue with the border below.
Border Section
Notes: Blanket will be aligned to one side of the rectangular mattress. Both pieces will be stitched together in this border/edging section.
R1: Ch 1. Sc around entire perimeter of rectangular mattress, stitching the blanket to it. At corners of the rectangle: sc, ch, sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. FO and weave in the ends.
Fasten off, no need for a long tail.
Congratulations on finishing your Catnap Kitty! Make these cute kitties in different color combinations, then help them in bed to take their catnaps!
~ VIDEO TUTORIAL ~
Here's the complete, step-by-step video tutorial for crocheting both the doll and bed!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my shop, Ravelry or Etsy.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
If you enjoyed this project, you might like my other designs! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.
If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see! Here are links for sharing your finished creation:
- Sweet Softies Facebook Page
- Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
- Instagram, @SweetSofties
- Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
Best wishes,
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