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Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern
4.6★Rating
5-7 HoursTime Needed
1.9KMade 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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Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

This sweet kitty makes a wonderful housewarming or New Year gift, bringing a pop of color and handmade warmth to any space. It is a joy to assemble and customize with your favorite shades.

Why You'll Love This Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely adore how much character is packed into this small design! Making the tiny collar with its real little bell felt so rewarding, and watching the cute spots come together on the head and body was pure magic. It's one of those projects where every single stitch brings a smile to your face.

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

Switch Things Up

I have always been completely charmed by Maneki Neko cats, and designing this version was such a nostalgic treat. There is something so incredibly soothing about working up the clean, white rounds of the head and body, knowing that the real fun begins when we start adding all those vibrant pops of gold, red, and pink.\n\nIf you want to put your own spin on this classic design, why not try playing with the main body color? While traditional white represents good luck, a rich black cat brings protection, and a bright gold cat invites wealth! I also love the idea of using a variegated yarn for the display pillow to give it a modern, bohemian vibe. When embroidering the face, don't rush—taking your time to place the eyes and whiskers just right is what gives your kitty its unique, sweet personality. I can't wait to see the beautiful, lucky companions you create!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ When embroidering the eyes on Round 15, it's easy to place them too close together; make sure to leave exactly six stitches of separation so the face looks balanced.✗ The ears transition from white to red yarn, and if your tension shifts during the color change, the ears might look lopsided when pinned to the head.✗ If you don't leave a long enough tail when finishing the head, you won't have enough yarn to securely attach it to the body, leading to a floppy neck.✗ For the pillow, missing the turning chain at the end of the rows will cause the sides to shrink inward, making your cushion look uneven rather than rectangular.

Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Bring a touch of prosperity and joy to your crochet collection with this charming little lucky cat! Designed with love, this sweet amigurumi project features traditional details like a tiny collar, a golden bell, and a cozy red pillow to sit on. It is a wonderful, heartwarming piece to craft for yourself or to share as a meaningful handmade gift that carries wishes of good fortune.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK weight cotton-acrylic blend yarn in crisp white for the main body, head, and limbs
  • 02
    DK weight cotton-acrylic blend yarn in vibrant red for the inner ears and display pillow
  • 03
    DK weight cotton-acrylic blend yarn in soft pink for the belly patch
  • 04
    DK weight cotton-acrylic blend yarn in honey gold for the spots and collar
  • 05
    Small amount of black DK weight yarn for the eyes, whiskers, and spot bases

— Tools Required

  • 01
    2.3mm crochet hook
  • 02
    One 12mm metal bell
  • 03
    One 10mm wooden button
  • 04
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing and embroidery
  • 06
    Stitch markers to track continuous rounds
  • 07
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Head :

Round 1 :

Work 8 sc into a magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in each of the next 8 stitches (16)

Round 3 :

Repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (24)

Round 4 :

Repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (32)

Round 5 :

Repeat (3 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (40)

Round 6 :

Repeat (4 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (48)

Round 7 :

Repeat (5 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (56)

Round 8 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 56 stitches (56)

Round 9 :

Repeat (6 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (64)

Round 10-14 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 64 stitches (64)

Round 15 :

Work 26 sc, place a stitch marker, work 12 sc, place another stitch marker, work 26 sc (64)

Round 16 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 64 stitches (64)

Round 17 :

Work 9 sc, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 8 times, work 14 sc, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 8 times, work 9 sc (80)

Round 18-22 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 80 stitches (80)

Round 23 :

Repeat (8 sc, 1 dec) 8 times (72)

Round 24 :

Repeat (7 sc, 1 dec) 8 times (64)

Round 25 :

Repeat (6 sc, 1 dec) 8 times (56)

Round 26 :

Working in BLO, repeat (2 sc, 1 dec) 14 times (42)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Firmly stuff the head with fiberfill. For the facial details, split your black yarn into thinner strands to embroider the eyes on Round 15 at the marked points, the mouth between Rounds 17 and 19, and the whiskers between Rounds 18 and 21. Use pink yarn to embroider the nose.

— 2. Body :

Info :

Start by making a chain of 11. You will work around both sides of this chain.

Round 1 :

Skip the first chain, work 9 sc down one side, work 3 sc in the last stitch, then rotate and work 8 sc along the opposite side of the chain, ending with 1 inc (22)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc, 8 sc, 3 inc, 8 sc, 2 inc (28)

Round 3 :

Work 1 sc, 1 inc, 8 sc, repeat (1 inc, 1 sc) 3 times, work 8 sc, repeat (1 inc, 1 sc) 2 times (34)

Round 4 :

Work 1 inc, 10 sc, repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 3 times, work 8 sc, repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 2 times (40)

Round 5 :

Repeat (4 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (48)

Round 6 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 48 stitches (48)

Round 7 :

Repeat (5 sc, 1 inc) 8 times (56)

Round 8 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 56 stitches (56)

Round 9 :

Repeat (13 sc, 1 inc) 4 times (60)

Round 10-18 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 60 stitches (60)

Round 19 :

Repeat (13 sc, 1 dec) 4 times (56)

Round 20 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 56 stitches (56)

Round 21 :

Repeat (12 sc, 1 dec) 4 times (52)

Round 22 :

Repeat (11 sc, 1 dec) 4 times (48)

Round 23 :

Repeat (6 sc, 1 dec) 6 times (42)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill.

— 3. Arms (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Work 8 sc into a magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in each of the next 8 stitches (16)

Round 3-4 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 16 stitches (16)

Round 5 :

Repeat (6 sc, 1 dec) 2 times (14)

Round 6-7 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 14 stitches (14)

Round 8 :

Repeat (5 sc, 1 dec) 2 times (12)

Round 9-12 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches (12)

Info :

Stuff the arms with fiberfill. Flatten the top opening and fold it, then work 6 sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 4. Ears (Make 2) :

Info :

Use white yarn for the white text instructions and red yarn for the red text instructions to create the inner ear detail.

Round 1 :

Using white yarn, work 4 sc into a magic ring (4)

Round 2 :

Using white yarn, work 4 inc (8)

Round 3 :

Using white yarn, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 4 times (12)

Round 4 :

Using white yarn, work 2 sc, 1 inc, then switch to red yarn for 2 sc, 1 inc, then switch back to white yarn and repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 2 times (16)

Round 5 :

Using white yarn, work 3 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, then switch to red yarn for 1 sc, 1 inc, then switch back to white yarn and repeat (3 sc, 1 inc) 2 times (20)

Round 6 :

Using white yarn, work 4 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, then switch to red yarn for 2 sc, 1 inc, then switch back to white yarn and repeat (4 sc, 1 inc) 2 times (24)

Round 7 :

Using white yarn, work 5 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, then switch to red yarn for 3 sc, 1 inc, then switch back to white yarn and repeat (5 sc, 1 inc) 2 times (28)

Round 8 :

Using white yarn, work 9 sc, then switch to red yarn for 5 sc, then switch back to white yarn for 14 sc (28)

Info :

Stuff the ears lightly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 5. Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

Work 6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

Repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

Repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (24)

Round 5 :

Repeat (3 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (30)

Round 6-8 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 30 stitches (30)

Round 9 :

Repeat (3 sc, 1 dec) 6 times (24)

Info :

Stuff the legs firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 6. Belly :

Round 1 :

Using pink yarn, work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

Work 6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

Repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

Repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (24)

Round 5 :

Repeat (3 sc, 1 inc) 6 times (30)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 7. Hand Spots (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using black yarn, work 6 sc into a magic ring, then slst to join (6)

Round 2 :

Switch to honey gold yarn, ch 1, work 6 inc, then slst to join (12)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 8. Body Spots (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using black yarn, work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

Ch 1, work 6 inc, then slst to join (12)

Round 3 :

Switch to honey gold yarn, ch 1, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times, then slst to join (18)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 9. Head Spot :

Round 1 :

Using black yarn, ch 5, start in the 2nd chain from hook: work 3 sc, 1 3sc-inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, then slst to join (10)

Round 2 :

Ch 1, work 1 inc, 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 inc, then slst to join (16)

Round 3 :

Switch to honey gold yarn, ch 1, work 1 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 3 times, work 2 sc, repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 2 times, then slst to join (22)

Note :

The PDF pattern contains a second round labeled '3' which increases the count to 28. This is treated as Round 4.

Round 4 :

Ch 1, work 2 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 3 times, work 2 sc, repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 2 times, then slst to join (28)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 10. Collar :

Row 1 :

Using honey gold yarn, make a chain of 62. Starting in the 7th chain from the hook, work 55 sc (55)

Info :

Fasten off and weave in the loose ends. Sew the wooden button and the metal bell to the collar, then wrap it around the cat's neck.

— 11. Tail :

Round 1 :

Using white yarn, work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

Work 6 inc (12)

Round 3-9 :

Work 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches (12)

Info :

Do not stuff the tail. Flatten the top opening and work 6 sc through both opposing layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Attach to the body on Round 6.

— 12. Pillow :

Row 1 :

Using red yarn, make a chain of 40. Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, work 38 dc, then turn (38)

Row 2-13 :

Ch 2, work 38 dc, then turn (38)

Row 14 :

Ch 2, work 38 dc (38)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail of about 40cm for seaming. Fold the piece and sew the sides together, stuffing with fiberfill before closing. To make the 4 corner tassels: Cut 20 strands of red yarn, each about 10cm long. Use 5 strands per corner, threading them through the corner with a needle, knotting securely, and unraveling the strands for a fringed look.

Assembly Instructions

  • First, sew the stuffed head securely onto the stuffed body, ensuring it is centered.
  • Attach the ears to the top of the head between Rounds 4 and 11, aligning them symmetrically.
  • Position the head spot on the top of the head between Rounds 1 and 9 and sew in place.
  • Sew the two legs to the bottom of the body between Rounds 6 and 13, keeping them spaced 10 stitches apart.
  • Stitch the pink belly patch onto the front of the body between Rounds 10 and 19.
  • Attach the arms to the sides of the body, then sew the body spots between Rounds 14 and 20, and the hand spots onto the arms.
  • Using pink yarn, embroider three vertical claw lines on each foot to finish the look.

Important Notes

  • 💡Using invisible decreases instead of standard decreases will keep your amigurumi fabric smooth and prevent stuffing from showing through.
  • 💡Pin all pieces (ears, legs, spots) in place before sewing to ensure everything is symmetrical and perfectly aligned.
  • 💡Splitting your yarn into thinner plies for facial embroidery yields a much cleaner, delicate, and professional look.
  • 💡Make sure to stuff the body and head firmly, especially around the neck area, to prevent the head from wobbling.
  • 💡When crocheting the pillow, keep your tension consistent so the edges remain straight and the cushion stuffs evenly.

I hope you have the absolute best time bringing this sweet little Lucky Cat to life! It is such a rewarding project to work on, and that moment when you slip the collar and bell around its neck is pure magic. Once your kitty is resting cozy on its tasseled red pillow, it will be ready to bring loads of good luck and smiles to your home. Happy crocheting, my lovely friends! 🧶✨

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FAQs

Can I use a different yarn weight for this project?

Yes! While the pattern is designed with sport weight yarn, you can easily scale it up with worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook. Just note that your finished cat will turn out larger, and you may need a larger bell and button to match.

How do I make the color changes on the ears look neat?

To get clean color changes, pull the new color through on the very last loop of the stitch before the change. This keeps the stitches looking sharp and prevents the colors from bleeding into each other.

My pillow sides are turning out wavy. What am I doing wrong?

This usually happens if you accidentally add or lose stitches at the ends of your rows. Make sure you are chaining 2 and turning, and count your double crochets on every row to ensure you always have exactly 38 stitches.

Do I need to stuff the tail or the arms?

The arms should be stuffed lightly to give them shape, but keep the very top unstuffed so they lay flat against the body. The tail should not be stuffed at all; simply flatten it and sew it closed before attaching.