About This Kawaii Black Cat Tote Bag Crochet Pattern
A fantastic gift for the cat lover in your life, or a fun way to treat yourself to a new everyday bag that truly stands out from the crowd.
Ideal for those with basic crocheting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.
Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.
Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.
A fantastic gift for the cat lover in your life, or a fun way to treat yourself to a new everyday bag that truly stands out from the crowd.
I absolutely love how this bag is essentially two patterns in one! The intarsia technique might seem a bit daunting if you haven't tried it, but it's so satisfying to see the cat's features emerge row by row. Plus, using bobbins for the yarn makes the color changes so much cleaner and prevents a tangled mess.
Iโve always been a bit of a 'crazy cat lady' at heart, so when I first saw this design, I knew I had to make it. Thereโs something so charming about the big, wide eyes and the simple silhouette. If youโre new to intarsia, don't let the chart intimidate you! Think of it like painting with yarnโyouโre just swapping colors to fill in the 'pixels' of the cat face.
One tip I learned the hard way: make sure youโre consistent about which way you drop your yarn when changing colors. If you always drop the old color to the back on right-side rows and to the front on wrong-side rows, youโll keep all those messy loops and tails on the inside of the bag.
If you want to customize this, why not try different colors? A grey tabby or even a bright orange 'ginger' cat would look amazing. You could even use a fuzzy yarn for the cat's face to give it some texture, though that might make the color changes a bit trickier to see. Whatever you choose, just have fun with it! Itโs such a rewarding project to carry around once itโs done.
If you're a fan of quirky accessories and feline friends, you're going to adore making this tote. It's a statement piece that uses the intarsia technique to create a bold, reversible look. One side features a striking black cat on a cream background, while the other flips the colors for a sleek, dark aesthetic. It's the perfect size for carrying your current project or a few essentials while showing off your handmade style.
The front panel uses light cream as the primary background color. Each square on the chart represents one sc. Turn your work and ch 1 at the end of every row (the ch 1 does not count as a st).
The source pattern mentions pearl and rose colors for bobbins, but the design uses light cream and black. Please use cream and black bobbins as indicated by the chart.
Using light cream yarn, ch 81. Start Row 1 in the second ch from your hook.
Work 24 sc in cream, 32 sc in black, and 24 sc in cream (80)
Work 25 sc in cream, 30 sc in black, and 25 sc in cream (80)
Work 26 sc in cream, 28 sc in black, and 26 sc in cream (80)
Work 27 sc in cream, 26 sc in black, and 27 sc in cream (80)
Work 24 sc in cream, 32 sc in black, and 24 sc in cream (80)
Work 21 sc in cream, 38 sc in black, and 21 sc in cream (80)
Work 19 sc in cream, 42 sc in black, and 19 sc in cream (80)
Work 17 sc in cream, 46 sc in black, and 17 sc in cream (80)
Work 16 sc in cream, 48 sc in black, and 16 sc in cream (80)
Work 15 sc in cream, 50 sc in black, and 15 sc in cream (80)
Work 14 sc in cream, 52 sc in black, and 14 sc in cream (80)
Work 13 sc in cream, 54 sc in black, and 13 sc in cream (80)
Work 12 sc in cream, 56 sc in black, and 12 sc in cream (80)
Work 11 sc in cream, 58 sc in black, and 11 sc in cream (80)
Work 10 sc in cream, 60 sc in black, and 10 sc in cream (80)
Work 9 sc in cream, 62 sc in black, and 9 sc in cream (80)
Work 9 sc in cream, 29 sc in black, 4 sc in cream, 29 sc in black, and 9 sc in cream (80)
Work 8 sc in cream, 29 sc in black, 6 sc in cream, 29 sc in black, and 8 sc in cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 11 sc black, 11 sc cream, 7 sc black, 6 sc cream, 7 sc black, 11 sc cream, 11 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 10 sc black, 14 sc cream, 16 sc black, 14 sc cream, 10 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 9 sc black, 16 sc cream, 14 sc black, 16 sc cream, 9 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 5 sc cream, 12 sc black, 5 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 9 sc cream, 5 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 5 sc black, 9 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 6 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 3 sc black, 11 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 11 sc cream, 3 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 6 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 9 sc cream, 5 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 5 sc black, 9 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 8 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 4 sc cream, 14 sc black, 4 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 8 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 9 sc black, 16 sc cream, 14 sc black, 16 sc cream, 9 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 9 sc black, 15 sc cream, 16 sc black, 15 sc cream, 9 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 10 sc black, 14 sc cream, 16 sc black, 14 sc cream, 10 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 10 sc black, 12 sc cream, 18 sc black, 12 sc cream, 10 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 11 sc black, 10 sc cream, 20 sc black, 10 sc cream, 11 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 13 sc black, 7 sc cream, 22 sc black, 7 sc cream, 13 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 5 sc black, 2 sc cream, 50 sc black, 2 sc cream, 5 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 4 sc black, 4 sc cream, 48 sc black, 4 sc cream, 4 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 5 sc black, 5 sc cream, 46 sc black, 5 sc cream, 5 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 4 sc black, 7 sc cream, 44 sc black, 7 sc cream, 4 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 4 sc black, 8 sc cream, 42 sc black, 8 sc cream, 4 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 40 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 11 sc cream, 38 sc black, 11 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 12 sc cream, 36 sc black, 12 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 14 sc cream, 32 sc black, 14 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 16 sc cream, 28 sc black, 16 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 17 sc cream, 26 sc black, 17 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 16 sc cream, 5 sc black, 18 sc cream, 5 sc black, 16 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 16 sc cream, 4 sc black, 20 sc cream, 4 sc black, 16 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 15 sc cream, 4 sc black, 22 sc cream, 4 sc black, 15 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 15 sc cream, 3 sc black, 24 sc cream, 3 sc black, 15 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 14 sc cream, 4 sc black, 24 sc cream, 4 sc black, 14 sc black, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 14 sc cream, 3 sc black, 26 sc cream, 3 sc black, 14 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 13 sc cream, 4 sc black, 26 sc cream, 4 sc black, 13 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 13 sc cream, 3 sc black, 28 sc cream, 3 sc black, 13 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 12 sc cream, 4 sc black, 28 sc cream, 4 sc black, 12 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 12 sc cream, 3 sc black, 30 sc cream, 3 sc black, 12 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 4 sc black, 30 sc cream, 4 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream, 4 sc black, 32 sc cream, 4 sc black, 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream, 4 sc black, 34 sc cream, 4 sc black, 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 7 sc cream, 4 sc black, 36 sc cream, 4 sc black, 7 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 8 sc cream, 3 sc black, 6 sc cream, 4 sc black, 38 sc cream, 4 sc black, 6 sc cream, 3 sc black, 8 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 4 sc cream, 4 sc black, 40 sc cream, 4 sc black, 4 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 3 sc cream, 4 sc black, 42 sc cream, 4 sc black, 3 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 2 sc cream, 4 sc black, 44 sc cream, 4 sc black, 2 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 8 sc black, 46 sc cream, 8 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 9 sc cream, 7 sc black, 48 sc cream, 7 sc black, 9 sc cream (80)
Work 10 sc cream, 4 sc black, 52 sc cream, 4 sc black, 10 sc cream (80)
Work all 80 sc in light cream (80)
The back panel is the inverse of the front, starting with a black base. Follow the same turning rules as the front panel.
Using black yarn, ch 81. Start Row 1 in the second ch from your hook.
Work all 80 sc in black (80)
Work 38 sc black, 4 sc cream, 38 sc black (80)
Work 37 sc black, 6 sc cream, 37 sc black (80)
Work 19 sc black, 11 sc cream, 7 sc black, 6 sc cream, 7 sc black, 11 sc cream, 19 sc black (80)
Work 18 sc black, 14 sc cream, 16 sc black, 14 sc cream, 18 sc black (80)
Work 17 sc black, 16 sc cream, 14 sc black, 16 sc cream, 17 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 5 sc cream, 12 sc black, 5 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 9 sc cream, 5 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 5 sc black, 9 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 9 sc cream, 3 sc black, 6 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 3 sc black, 11 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 11 sc cream, 3 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 6 sc cream, 3 sc black, 9 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 9 sc cream, 5 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 5 sc black, 9 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 16 sc black, 10 sc cream, 3 sc black, 4 sc cream, 14 sc black, 4 sc cream, 3 sc black, 10 sc cream, 16 sc black (80)
Work 17 sc black, 16 sc cream, 14 sc black, 16 sc cream, 17 sc black (80)
Work 17 sc black, 15 sc cream, 16 sc black, 15 sc cream, 17 sc black (80)
Work 18 sc black, 14 sc cream, 16 sc black, 14 sc cream, 18 sc black (80)
Work 19 sc black, 12 sc cream, 18 sc black, 12 sc cream, 19 sc black (80)
Work 20 sc black, 10 sc cream, 20 sc black, 10 sc cream, 20 sc black (80)
Work 22 sc black, 7 sc cream, 22 sc black, 7 sc cream, 22 sc black (80)
Work 13 sc black, 2 sc cream, 50 sc black, 2 sc cream, 13 sc black (80)
Work 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 48 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black (80)
Work 12 sc black, 5 sc cream, 46 sc black, 5 sc cream, 12 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 7 sc cream, 44 sc black, 7 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 8 sc cream, 42 sc black, 8 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 10 sc cream, 40 sc black, 10 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 11 sc cream, 38 sc black, 11 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 12 sc cream, 36 sc black, 12 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 14 sc cream, 32 sc black, 14 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 16 sc cream, 28 sc black, 16 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 17 sc cream, 26 sc black, 17 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 16 sc cream, 28 sc black, 16 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 15 sc cream, 30 sc black, 15 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 14 sc cream, 32 sc black, 14 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 13 sc cream, 34 sc black, 13 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 10 sc black, 12 sc cream, 36 sc black, 12 sc cream, 10 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 10 sc cream, 38 sc black, 10 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 9 sc cream, 40 sc black, 9 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 8 sc cream, 42 sc black, 8 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 7 sc cream, 44 sc black, 7 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 11 sc black, 6 sc cream, 46 sc black, 6 sc cream, 11 sc black (80)
Work 12 sc black, 4 sc cream, 48 sc black, 4 sc cream, 12 sc black (80)
Work 12 sc black, 3 sc cream, 50 sc black, 3 sc cream, 12 sc black (80)
Work 12 sc black, 2 sc cream, 52 sc black, 2 sc cream, 12 sc black (80)
Work all 80 sc in black (80)
Using your chosen yarn color (make one cream and one black), ch 6. Start in second ch from hook and work 5 sc, then turn (5)
ch 1, work 5 sc across, then turn (5)
ch 1, work 5 sc across (5)
Without cutting the yarn, work a round of sc evenly around the entire edge of the handle to finish.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of finishing a big colorwork project and seeing the final design pop! This cat bag is such a conversation starter and a great way to practice your intarsia skills. I hope you enjoy every stitch of this process as much as I did. Don't forget to take your time with the assemblyโit's the secret to a professional-looking handmade bag. Happy hooking! ๐งถโจ๐โโฌ
You can, but it will make the bag larger and the stitches looser. A loose tension might let the 'floats' or yarn changes show through more clearly.
I highly recommend using small bobbins or winding small amounts of yarn onto cardboard scraps. This allows you to leave the yarn hanging where you need it without carrying it through the whole row.
The pattern doesn't include a lining, but because it's worked in dense single crochet, it's quite sturdy on its own. You can always add a fabric lining for extra durability.
Cotton or a cotton blend is best because it doesn't stretch as much as acrylic. A pure acrylic bag might sag significantly once you put heavy items inside.