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Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★Rating
5-7 HoursTime Needed
3.9KMade This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crocheting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

He's the perfect desk companion to cheer you on while you work, or a thoughtful gift for a friend starting a new adventure. At four inches tall, he fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.

Why You'll Love This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I love how the different colors come together to give him so much personality. The little details, like the tiny whiskers and the tasseled pillow, really elevate the whole look without being overly complicated to assemble.

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 1 Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 2 Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 3 Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

There's something so therapeutic about making a Maneki-neko. I remember the first time I saw one in a little shop window; that rhythmic waving paw just felt so welcoming. When I was writing this pattern, I really wanted to capture that friendly vibe.

One thing I discovered while making my prototype is that the color placement is where you can really have some fun. While I’ve listed specific rounds for the black and honey patches, don't feel like you have to follow them to the letter! Real calico cats have unique spots, so feel free to let your hook wander a bit. If you want a more 'minimalist' look, you could even make him entirely white with just a few spots on the ears.

For the collar, if you don't have a tiny bell, a bright yellow bead works wonders too. And that pillow! It’s actually a great way to practice your double crochet tension. I like to stuff mine just enough so it's 'puffy' but still stable enough for the cat to sit on without wobbling. I can't wait to see the different personalities you all give your lucky kitties!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ In the head, the color changes happen mid-round; if you don't carry the yarn loosely, the fabric might pucker and look uneven.✗ When making the pillow, ensure your turning chains aren't too tight, or the edges will curl inward instead of lying flat.✗ Placing the safety eyes even one row off can change the whole expression, so mark the spots with pins before pushing the backings on.✗ The tail is joined at the top with single crochets; if you skip this step and just sew the opening shut, it won't sit flush against the body at round 6.

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

This little Maneki-neko is exactly the kind of project that makes my heart happy. He's a symbol of good fortune, and honestly, crafting him feels like a bit of good luck in itself! I’ve designed this version with those classic calico patches and a cozy little pillow for him to sit on. Whether you're making him for your own desk or as a housewarming gift, he's bound to bring a smile to anyone who sees that waving paw.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Sport weight yarn in White (approx. 30g)
  • 02
    Small amounts of Sport weight yarn in Black, Honey, and Pink for the calico details and nose
  • 03
    Sport weight yarn in Red for the display pillow
  • 04
    A small length of Green yarn for the collar

— Tools Required

  • 01
    2.3mm crochet hook
  • 02
    One 12mm decorative bell
  • 03
    One pair of 7mm safety eyes in ocean blue
  • 04
    One 10mm wooden button
  • 05
    High-quality fiberfill stuffing
  • 06
    Yarn needle for assembly and embroidery
  • 07
    Sharp scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Head :

Info :

Work in a continuous spiral using White, Honey, and Black yarn as indicated.

Round 1 :

Using White, work 8 sc into a magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3 :

Using White: (sc, inc) * 3. Using Black: (sc, inc) * 2. Using Honey: (sc, inc) * 2. Using White: sc, inc (24)

Round 4 :

Using White: (2 sc, inc) * 3. Using Black: (2 sc, inc) * 2. Using Honey: (2 sc, inc) * 2. Using White: 2 sc, inc (32)

Round 5 :

Using White: (3 sc, inc) * 3. Using Black: 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 1 sc. Using Honey: 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using White: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc (40)

Round 6 :

Using White: 4 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, 3 sc. Using Black: 1 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, 1 sc. Using Honey: 3 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using White: 2 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc (48)

Round 7 :

Using White: 5 sc, inc, 5 sc, inc, 3 sc. Using Black: 2 sc, inc, 5 sc, inc, 1 sc. Using Honey: 4 sc, inc, 5 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using White: 3 sc, inc, 5 sc, inc (56)

Round 8 :

7 sc White, 10 sc Black, 12 sc White, 15 sc Honey, 12 sc White (56)

Round 9 :

Using White: 6 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 3 sc. Using Black: 3 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 1 sc. Using Honey: 5 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using White: 4 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc (64)

Round 10 :

8 sc White, 10 sc Black, 16 sc White, 16 sc Honey, 14 sc White (64)

Round 11 :

9 sc White, 8 sc Black, 18 sc White, 14 sc Honey, 15 sc White (64)

Round 12 :

10 sc White, 6 sc Black, 20 sc White, 11 sc Honey, 17 sc White (64)

Round 13 :

10 sc White, 5 sc Black, 23 sc White, 7 sc Honey, 19 sc White (64)

Round 14-16 :

64 sc using White (64)

Round 17 :

Using White: 3 sc, (sc, inc) * 8, 14 sc, (sc, inc) * 8, 15 sc (80)

Round 18-20 :

80 sc using White (80)

Round 21 :

22 sc White, 2 sc Black, 21 sc White, 2 sc Honey, 33 sc White (80)

Round 22 :

20 sc White, 6 sc Black, 17 sc White, 6 sc Honey, 31 sc White (80)

Round 23 :

Using White: (8 sc, dec) * 2. Using Black: 6 sc. Using White: 2 sc, dec, 8 sc, dec, 3 sc. Using Honey: 5 sc, dec. Using White: (8 sc, dec) * 3 (72)

Round 24 :

Using White: (7 sc, dec) * 2, 2 sc. Using Black: 2 sc. Using White: 3 sc, dec, 7 sc, dec, 5 sc. Using Honey: 2 sc, dec. Using White: (7 sc, dec) * 3 (64)

Round 25 :

Using White: (6 sc, dec) * 8 (56)

Round 26 :

Using White: BLO (2 sc, dec) * 14 (42)

Info :

Fasten off with a long tail. Place safety eyes between Rounds 16 and 17, spaced 7 stitches apart. Stuff firmly. Embroider a black mouth (R18-20), black whiskers (R18-21), and a pink nose.

— 2. Body :

Round 1 :

Using White, ch 11. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 9 sc, 3sc-inc in last ch. Turn to work along opposite side of foundation chain: 8 sc, inc (22)

Round 2 :

inc, 8 sc, 3 inc, 8 sc, 2 inc (28)

Round 3 :

sc, inc, 8 sc, (inc, sc) * 3, 8 sc, (inc, sc) * 2 (34)

Round 4 :

inc, 10 sc, (2 sc, inc) * 3, 8 sc, (2 sc, inc) * 2 (40)

Round 5 :

(4 sc, inc) * 8 (48)

Round 6 :

48 sc (48)

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc) * 8 (56)

Round 8 :

56 sc (56)

Round 9 :

(13 sc, inc) * 4 (60)

Round 10-18 :

60 sc (60)

Round 19 :

(13 sc, dec) * 4 (56)

Round 20 :

56 sc (56)

Round 21 :

(12 sc, dec) * 4 (52)

Round 22 :

(11 sc, dec) * 4 (48)

Round 23 :

(6 sc, dec) * 6 (42)

Info :

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing, and stuff the body well.

— 3. Arms (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using White, 8 sc in a magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3-4 :

16 sc (16)

Round 5 :

(6 sc, dec) * 2 (14)

Round 6-7 :

14 sc (14)

Round 8 :

(5 sc, dec) * 2 (12)

Round 9-12 :

12 sc (12)

Info :

Stuff the arm. Flatten the top and crochet through both layers with 6 sc to close. Leave a tail for sewing.

— 4. Ears (Make 1 Honey, 1 Black) :

Round 1 :

4 sc in a magic ring (4)

Round 2 :

4 inc (8)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) * 4 (12)

Round 4 :

Using Honey/Black: 2 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using Pink: inc. Using Honey/Black: (2 sc, inc) * 2 (16)

Round 5 :

Using Honey/Black: 3 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using Pink: sc, inc. Using Honey/Black: (3 sc, inc) * 2 (20)

Round 6 :

Using Honey/Black: 4 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using Pink: 2 sc, inc. Using Honey/Black: (4 sc, inc) * 2 (24)

Round 7 :

Using Honey/Black: 5 sc, inc, 2 sc. Using Pink: 3 sc, inc. Using Honey/Black: (5 sc, inc) * 2 (28)

Round 8 :

28 sc (28)

Info :

Stuff lightly and leave a long yarn tail for assembly.

— 5. Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using White, 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) * 6 (18)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc) * 6 (24)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc) * 6 (30)

Round 6-8 :

30 sc (30)

Round 9 :

(3 sc, dec) * 6 (24)

Info :

Stuff firmly and leave a tail for sewing. Use pink yarn to embroider three lines on each foot.

— 6. Spots (Make 1 Honey, 1 Black) :

Round 1 :

ch 5, starting in 2nd ch: 3 sc, 3sc-inc, other side: 2 sc, inc, slst (10)

Round 2 :

ch 1, inc, 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 inc, slst (16)

Info :

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

— 7. Collar :

Row 1 :

Using Green, ch 62. Starting in 7th ch from hook: 55 sc (55)

Info :

Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew the bell and button to the collar.

— 8. Tail :

Round 1 :

Using White, 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3-9 :

12 sc (12)

Info :

Do not stuff. Flatten the top and sc through both layers with 6 sc. Leave a tail for sewing.

— 9. Pillow :

Row 1 :

Using Red, ch 40. Starting in 3rd ch from hook: 38 dc, turn (38)

Row 2-13 :

ch 2, 38 dc, turn (38)

Row 14 :

ch 2, 38 dc (38)

Info :

Fasten off with a long tail. Fold the piece and sew the edges, stuffing lightly before closing. Add tassels to each corner by knotting five 10cm strands of yarn.

Assembly Instructions

  • Secure the head to the body opening, ensuring the facial features are centered over the front of the body.
  • Attach the ears to the top of the head between Rounds 4 and 11, spacing them evenly apart.
  • Sew the calico spots onto the body where you like them best, usually one on the back and one on the side.
  • Position the legs on the lower body between Rounds 6 and 13, keeping about 10 stitches between them.
  • Attach the arms to the sides of the body and sew the tail to the back at Round 6.
  • Wrap the finished collar around the neck, fastening it with the button so the bell sits at the center front.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use an invisible decrease for all shaping to keep the stuffing from peeking through the stitches.
  • 💡When working with multiple colors in the head, carry the yarn inside the piece to keep the transitions clean.
  • 💡Stuff the limbs as you go, but leave the very top of the arms and tail empty so they lay flat against the body.
  • 💡For the whiskers, splitting your yarn into thinner strands makes the embroidery look much more delicate and realistic.

I really hope you enjoy bringing this little lucky cat to life! There's something so satisfying about seeing those calico patches come together and adding that final tiny bell to his collar. He’s designed to be a sturdy little friend, and that matching red pillow just gives him such a finished, professional look. Whether he’s sitting on your bookshelf or heading off to a new home as a gift, I’m sure he’ll bring plenty of smiles and good fortune to everyone he meets. Happy crocheting, and may your stitches be lucky! 🧶✨

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FAQs

Can I use safety eyes smaller than 7mm?

You certainly can, but keep in mind it might change the 'kawaii' look of the face. Smaller eyes will give him a more traditional, realistic expression.

What if I don't have Honey colored yarn?

Any ginger, orange, or even a light tan shade works perfectly for a calico look. The beauty of a lucky cat is that every one is unique!

How do I make the tassels look even on the pillow?

Wrap the red yarn around a piece of cardboard about 5cm wide to get consistent lengths before cutting and attaching them to the corners.

Do I have to make the pillow for the cat to stand?

The cat is designed to be self-standing, but the pillow really completes the traditional display look and makes it a great decorative piece.