Kimono Kitty · Part 1 of 4 · Creator Challenge 2021

Dear fellow crocheters,

Welcome to Sweet Softies' fourth annual Creator Challenge, featuring the Kimono Kitty!  She's a sweet, little cat who wears a traditional Japanese dress.  This kokeshi amigurumi doll's outfit includes a kimono with the large sleeves, an obi sash, and a bow on the back.  She also wears a sakura (cherry blossom) flower on her head.  

If you haven't already, check out the INTRO PAGE for rules and important information about this Creator Challenge.

You can PIN this pattern for later~

You can also save it and/or add your project on Ravelry!

Want to get the full set of instructions in one convenient, printable, and ad-free PDF file with photo references? If so, you can purchase the PDF pattern for a small fee. Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies!

Click here for the PDF pattern!

Pattern Info

For this first part, please read through the basic information regarding this pattern.

Intro

The Kimono Kitty Doll is a little cat who wears a traditional Japanese dress.  This sweet amigurumi’s outfit includes a kimono with the oversized sleeves and a bow on the back.  She also wears a sakura (cherry blossom) flower on her head.  This pattern is easy to customize with different yarn color combinations.  The Kimono Kitty makes for a perfect handmade gift! 

The PDF pattern includes complete written instructions for this DIY doll-making tutorial, photo references for the crocheted parts, and step-by-step explanations for finishing details.  Video tutorials to several parts of this pattern are also included as links in the corresponding sections.

Finished Measurement

Height: 4.25 inches (11 cm)

Level

★★☆☆☆  Easy / Familiar Beginner
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching plastic safety eyes, attaching yarn, changing yarn colors, and sewing parts together.

Stitches/Terms Used (U.S. Terminology)

• FO: fasten off 
• MR: magic ring 
• Ch: chain 
• Sl st: slip stitch 
• Surface slip stitch
• Sc: single crochet 
• Dc: double crochet 
• Inc: increase 
• Dec: decrease 
• BLO: back loops only

Materials

• Medium weight 4 yarn in desired colors (I used cream, white, pink, and dark pink)
• 2.75 mm crochet hook or size suitable for the yarn you using. (Make sure your hook is small enough so that gaps cannot be seen between your stitches.)
• Pair of 7mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle 
• Scissors 
• Optional: blush powder and a q-tip for adding blush to your doll (see my 'Adding Blush' tutorial)

PART 1:
Head, Ears, & Flower

Pattern Notes:

• I have indicated the yarn color I used for my Kimono Kitty, but please feel free to use whichever colors YOU wish! 
• The full set of photo references is available in the PDF pattern file.

HEAD

Use cream yarn. 

R1: In MR, sc 6. (6 sts) 

R2: Inc around. (12 sts) 

R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18 sts) 

R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24 sts) 

R5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30 sts) 

R6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36 sts) 

R7-R13: Sc around. (36 sts) 

R14: (Sc 4, dec) x 6. (30 sts) 

R15: (Sc 3, dec) x 6. (24 sts) 

Insert 7mm eyes between R10-R11, 7 sts apart. 

R16: (Sc 2, dec) x 6. (18 sts) 

R17: (Sc, dec) x 6. (12 sts) 

FO; no need to leave a tail. Stuff the head well.

EARS (x2)

Use cream yarn. 

R1: In MR, sc 6. (6 sts) 

R2: (Sc 2, inc) x 2. (8 sts) 

R3: (Sc 3, inc) x 2. (10 sts) 

FO with a long tail for sewing later.

FLOWER

Use dark pink yarn. 

R1: In MR, (ch 3, sl st in ring) x 5. 

FO with a tail for sewing later.

Don't forget to share your photos in the Sweet Softies FB Group!

Join the Community!

Participants are encouraged to share work in progress (WIP) photos in the Sweet Softies FB Group!

You can also save this pattern or add your project on Ravelry!

Pattern Links

Kimono Kitty's pattern will be FREE on my blog, but an ad-free printable PDF pattern with photo references is also available for purchase. (Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies!)

• Part 1: Head, Ears, and Flower
  Post Date: 2/20/2021
   
• Part 2: Body and Sleeves
  Post Date: 2/27/2021
   
• Part 3: Neck Collar and Bow
  Post Date: 3/6/2021
   
• Part 4: Finishing
  Post Date: 3/13/2021
  
  
• Kimono Kitty Submissions
  Post Date: 3/31/2021
  (To share your finished Kimono Kitty, read the "How to Submit Entries" post for instructions.)

Want your friends to join in on this fun Creator Challenge too?  The more, the merrier!  Share this post and spread the joy of crocheting!

Happy crafting!