Black Cat Amigurumi — FREE Pattern

There is something undeniably magical about a tiny crocheted black cat sitting on your shelf, watching the room with its little button eyes. Whether you are drawn to black cats because of their sleek, mysterious beauty, their association with folklore and witchcraft, or simply because you have one curled up at your feet right now, this free amigurumi pattern will help you bring one to life with nothing more than a hook, some yarn, and a little patience.

This pattern is written for intermediate beginners — if you have made a simple amigurumi before and know how to single crochet in the round, you have everything you need. I will walk you through every step, from the magic ring to the finishing touches, so you can feel confident no matter where you are in your crochet journey.

What Is Amigurumi?

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals and creatures. The word itself combines the Japanese words for “knitted” and “stuffed doll.” These little figures became popular worldwide in the early 2000s and have only grown in popularity since, largely because they are compact, relatively quick to make, endlessly customizable, and absolutely adorable.

Black cat amigurumi in particular have become a staple of the craft community. They make perfect gifts for cat lovers, wonderful Halloween decorations, charming desk companions, and sweet handmade keepsakes. They also happen to photograph beautifully — all those dark stitches against a light background make for a striking image.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather everything listed here so you are not hunting around mid-project.

Yarn: Approximately 100–150 yards of black worsted weight yarn (size 4). You will also need a small amount of white or yellow for the eyes and a tiny bit of pink for the nose if you prefer embroidered details over safety eyes.

Hook: 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook. I recommend 3.5mm for a tighter stitch that keeps the stuffing from showing through, but use whatever gives you a firm fabric with your chosen yarn.

Safety eyes: Two 9mm or 12mm black safety eyes. You can also embroider the eyes if you are making this for a young child.

Stuffing: Polyfill or any soft toy stuffing.

Tapestry needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.

Stitch markers: To mark the beginning of each round.

Scissors

Optional: A small piece of wire armature or pipe cleaner if you want the tail to be poseable.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge: approximately 4.5 sc x 5 rows = 1 inch with worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook.

Finished size: approximately 5 inches tall when seated (not including ears), and about 3.5 inches wide. Size will vary slightly depending on your tension and yarn weight.

A Note on Working in the Round

All pieces in this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated — meaning you do not join with a slip stitch at the end of each round. Instead, use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go. This creates a seamless, smooth result that is the hallmark of amigurumi construction.

Pattern: Black Cat Amigurumi

Part 1: Head

Start with black yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)

Rnd 7: Sc 5, inc repeat around. (42 sts)

Rnds 8–14: Sc around. (42 sts each round — 7 rounds total)

Rnd 15: Sc 5, dec repeat around. (36 sts)

Rnd 16: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)

At this point, attach your safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, spacing them approximately 8 stitches apart. If you are embroidering the eyes, you will do that later during finishing.

Rnd 17: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)

Begin stuffing the head firmly now. Continue adding stuffing as you decrease.

Rnd 18: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 19: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Rnd 20: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your tapestry needle to close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops of all 6 stitches and pulling tight. Weave in the end.

Part 2: Body

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)

Rnds 7–9: Sc around. (36 sts)

Rnd 10: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)

Rnds 11–13: Sc around. (30 sts)

Rnd 14: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)

Rnds 15–16: Sc around. (24 sts)

Rnd 17: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Stuff the body firmly at this point.

Rnd 18: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Rnd 19: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Close the hole as before and set aside.

Part 3: Ears (Make 2)

Rnd 1: MR, 3 sc. (3 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (6 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (9 sts)

Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (12 sts)

Do not stuff. Flatten the ear and slip stitch across the top to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Part 4: Front Legs (Make 2)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc in BLO around. (12 sts — this creates the paw definition)

Rnds 4–12: Sc around. (12 sts — 9 rounds)

Stuff lightly. Flatten the top of the leg and slip stitch or single crochet across to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Part 5: Back Legs (Make 2)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc in BLO around. (12 sts)

Rnd 4: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (15 sts)

Rnds 5–10: Sc around. (15 sts)

Rnd 11: Sc 1, dec repeat to last 3 sts, sc 3. (Approximately 12 sts — adjust to close evenly)

Stuff lightly. Flatten and close as with front legs. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Part 6: Tail

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)

Rnds 2–20: Sc around. (6 sts — 19 rounds)

If you want a poseable tail, slide a pipe cleaner inside before closing. Stuff lightly or leave unstuffed for a floppy tail. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

This is where your black cat really comes to life. Take your time here — good assembly makes all the difference between a wobbly figure and a polished, sturdy one.

Step 1: Attach the head to the body. Pin the head to the flat top of the body first, centering it carefully. The head should sit slightly forward rather than perfectly centered on the body to give the cat a natural, alert posture. Use your tapestry needle and the long tail from the head to sew it securely to the body, going around the join at least twice for strength.

Step 2: Attach the ears. Pin both ears to the top of the head, positioning them roughly 4–5 stitches in from either side. Angle them slightly outward for an alert, curious expression. Sew down firmly.

Step 3: Attach the front legs. These are sewn to either side of the lower body, pointing forward. If you want a sitting cat (which is the most classic amigurumi cat pose), position the legs so they angle downward and slightly forward.

Step 4: Attach the back legs. Sew these to the sides of the lower body, tucked behind the front legs and angled so the flat paw base sits on the surface below the cat.

Step 5: Attach the tail. Sew the tail to one side of the back or directly to the back center of the body. You can curve it around to one side for a sleepy, curled look, or pipe cleaner it upward for a proud, alert stance.

Face Details

Now for the most fun and personal part: the face. This is where your cat’s personality really emerges.

Eyes: If you used safety eyes, these are already in place. For extra character, you can use a tiny bit of white yarn or white embroidery floss to add a small highlight stitch above each eye — just one or two stitches catches the light beautifully in photos.

Nose: Using pink or dusty rose yarn, embroider a small triangle between the eyes, roughly centered on rounds 12–13. Three or four stitches in a triangular shape is all you need.

Mouth: Optionally, use the same pink yarn or a darker color to stitch a small inverted Y-shape below the nose — two short diagonal lines dropping down from the center of the nose.

Whiskers: Use white yarn, white thread, or thin white wire to add 3–4 whiskers on each side of the face. To attach yarn whiskers, thread a length of yarn through the face on one side and trim evenly on both sides. A tiny dot of fabric glue at the entry and exit points keeps them from pulling through.

Customization Ideas

One of the absolute joys of amigurumi is how freely you can adapt a basic pattern to create something entirely your own. Here are some ideas to make your black cat unique.

Add a collar. Chain 25 stitches in red, green, or any color you like. Join with a slip stitch, then single crochet around for one row. Slip stitch to close and tie it around the cat’s neck. Sew or glue a tiny button or bead as the collar tag.

Make a witch’s hat. A tiny crocheted cone with a circular brim turns your black cat into the perfect Halloween decoration. Crochet the hat in black, add a tiny buckle detail in yellow, and either glue it on or stitch it between the ears.

Create a Halloween version. Add an orange background, stitch a jack-o-lantern face instead of a realistic one, or make a tiny broomstick out of wire and brown yarn for the cat to hold.

Try a different yarn weight. Using fingering weight yarn and a 2mm hook will produce a tiny, delicate cat about 2.5 inches tall. Using bulky yarn and a 5mm or 6mm hook creates an oversized, huggable version.

Make a whole family. Once you have the basic pattern down, make a mama cat and several kittens at different sizes by simply adjusting your yarn weight and hook size.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My stitches are too loose and I can see the stuffing. Try going down a hook size or tensioning your yarn more firmly as you work. You want a dense, tight fabric for amigurumi.

My rounds are spiraling visibly. This is completely normal in continuous-round amigurumi — it is inherent to the technique. The seam line, as it is sometimes called, is typically hidden at the back of the figure during assembly.

My cat is wobbly and won’t sit up. Make sure the body is stuffed very firmly. You can also add a small flat button or a circle of stiff felt to the base of the body before closing it — this creates a stable, flat bottom.

The head droops to one side. Reinforce the join with more stitches, going through both the head and body layers multiple times in a circular path. Sometimes adding a small inner wire armature in the neck area helps, though this is not recommended for toys intended for children.

I lost count of my rounds. Always use a stitch marker. Count your stitches at the end of every round — not just when something looks off. It is much easier to fix a miscounted increase immediately than three rounds later.

Care Instructions for Your Finished Cat

If you used acrylic yarn, your finished amigurumi can be hand washed in cool water with a gentle soap and laid flat to dry. Avoid wringing or twisting, which can distort the shape. For gift-giving, include a small care card noting the fiber content and washing instructions.

If the cat is intended for a child under three years old, please replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes, as safety eyes can present a choking hazard even when attached correctly.

Sharing Your Finished Cat

If you make this pattern, I would absolutely love to see your finished black cat. Share your photos on Instagram or Pinterest with the hashtag #blackcatamigurumi or #freecrochetpattern, and tag the post so other crafters can find it. Seeing every unique interpretation of a pattern — different yarn textures, different face expressions, different poses — is one of the most rewarding parts of sharing a free design.

If you share to a crochet community group, make sure to credit the pattern so others who fall in love with your little cat can find their way here to make their own.

Final Thoughts

A black cat amigurumi is one of those projects that manages to be both quick enough to finish in a weekend and personal enough to become a meaningful handmade gift. There is real charm in the simplicity of the design — the deep black yarn catches light in a way that highlights every stitch, and the result looks far more impressive than the skill level required to make it.

Whether you are crouching by a window with the yarn in your lap on a rainy October afternoon or whipping up a last-minute gift for a friend who just adopted a black cat, this pattern is here for you