Free Crochet Oriental Cat Amigurumi Pattern With Big Green Eyes
If you’ve been searching for an adorable crochet project that combines the elegance of an Oriental cat with the irresistible charm of amigurumi, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This free crochet Oriental cat amigurumi pattern features striking big green eyes that give it an almost lifelike, mesmerizing quality — the kind of handmade toy that people stop and stare at when they see it sitting on your shelf. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter looking for a new challenge or an intermediate maker ready to level up your amigurumi game, this pattern will walk you through every step of creating your very own elegant, long-faced feline friend.
Oriental cats are known for their sleek, slender bodies, large pointy ears, almond-shaped eyes, and wedge-shaped heads. Capturing all of those distinctive features in yarn and stuffing is one of the most satisfying things you can do with a crochet hook on a lazy afternoon. This pattern has been designed to reflect those breed characteristics so that when someone sees your finished cat, they immediately recognize what it is — not just a generic kitty, but specifically an Oriental-type beauty with attitude and grace.
Let’s get into everything you need to know before you begin.
Materials You’ll Need
Before casting on, gather your supplies so that you’re not hunting through your stash mid-project. Here is what you’ll need to complete this pattern:
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (approximately 200–250 yards) in your main color. Oriental cats come in a wide range of colors — solid black, blue-gray, cream, white, cinnamon, and tabby variations — so choose whichever color speaks to you. You’ll also need a small amount of pink or light rose yarn for the inner ears and nose area.
Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook (size E/4 US). Amigurumi is typically worked with a hook one size smaller than the yarn label recommends to create tight stitches that prevent stuffing from showing through.
Safety eyes: Two 12mm green safety eyes. These larger eyes are what give this cat its stunning, dramatic look. You can find them in a vibrant emerald green or a more subtle sage depending on your preference.
Polyfill stuffing: Enough to firmly stuff the head, body, legs, and tail. Firm stuffing is important for amigurumi so that the piece holds its shape.
Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.
Stitch markers: To mark the beginning of each round.
Wire armature (optional): If you want poseable legs or a tail that curls dramatically, a thin wire armature wrapped in floral tape works beautifully inside this cat’s limbs.
Embroidery floss: Black and pink, for adding detail to the nose, mouth, and whisker dots if you prefer embroidered features.
Scissors
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern is written using standard US crochet terminology.
MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook into front loops of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
R — Round
All pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. Do not join at the end of each round; simply move your stitch marker up each round.
Gauge
Approximately 5 sc x 5 rows = 1 inch using worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook. Gauge is not critical for amigurumi, but consistent tight tension is important.
Finished size: Approximately 9–10 inches tall when seated.
Pattern Instructions
Head
The Oriental cat’s head is the most important piece of this pattern. It has a distinctive wedge shape — longer and more angular than the rounder head you’d make for a Persian or generic kitten pattern. We achieve this by working more increases along a central axis in the early rounds and then shaping the muzzle separately.
R1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6)
R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
R3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18)
R4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24)
R5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30)
R6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36)
R7: Sc 5, inc repeat around. (42)
R8: Sc 6, inc repeat around. (48)
R9–R14: Sc in each st around. (48) — 6 rounds even
R15: Sc 6, dec repeat around. (42)
R16: Sc in each st around. (42)
R17: Sc 5, dec repeat around. (36)
R18: Sc in each st around. (36)
At this point, attach the 12mm green safety eyes. Position them roughly between R11 and R12, spaced about 10–12 stitches apart for that wide-set, dramatic Oriental look. The wider the placement, the more “bred” the cat will appear. Secure the washers on the inside firmly.
R19: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30)
R20: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24)
R21: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18)
Begin stuffing the head firmly. Continue stuffing as you close.
R22: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12)
R23: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close the opening with your yarn needle. Leave a long tail for sewing if needed.
Muzzle
The muzzle is a small, slightly elongated oval that gives the cat that characteristic wedge-face profile when sewn onto the front of the head.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (9)
R3: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (12)
R4: Sc in each st around. (12)
R5: Sc in each st around. (12)
Do not stuff. Flatten slightly and sew onto the lower front of the head, centered below the eyes. With pink embroidery floss or pink yarn, embroider a small upside-down triangle for the nose and a short Y-shape below it for the mouth. This detail makes an enormous difference in the final expression of your cat.
Ears (Make 2)
Oriental cats have very large, wide-based, pointed ears that sit high on the head. These ears are one of the most breed-defining features, so take your time placing them correctly.
Outer ear (in main color):
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in each st. (12)
R3: Sc 1, inc repeat. (18)
R4: Sc 2, inc repeat. (24)
R5–R7: Sc in each st. (24)
Fold the ear flat without fastening off. Sc across the opening to close it (about 12 stitches across). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Inner ear (in pink):
Work a small triangle by chaining 8, then working rows of sc that decrease by one stitch each row until you have a point. Sew this onto the front of each ear for that delicate inner-ear detail.
Sew the ears to the top of the head with a wide base, angled slightly outward. The distance between them should feel almost too wide — Oriental cats wear their ears like satellite dishes, and exaggerating this slightly gives the most accurate look.
Body
The body of an Oriental cat is slender and tubular compared to other breeds, so this pattern keeps it slim and elegant.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in each st. (12)
R3: Sc 1, inc repeat. (18)
R4: Sc 2, inc repeat. (24)
R5: Sc 3, inc repeat. (30)
R6: Sc 4, inc repeat. (36)
R7–R18: Sc in each st. (36) — 12 rounds even
R19: Sc 4, dec repeat. (30)
R20: Sc in each st. (30)
R21: Sc 3, dec repeat. (24)
R22: Sc in each st. (24)
R23: Sc 2, dec repeat. (18)
Begin stuffing the body firmly.
R24: Sc in each st. (18)
R25: Sc 1, dec repeat. (12)
R26: Dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close. Leave a long tail for sewing to head.
Front Legs (Make 2)
Oriental cats have long, slender legs. These legs are worked in a single tube with a slight foot shaping at the bottom.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in each st. (12)
R3–R5: Sc in each st. (12) — 3 rounds even for paw
R6: Sc 2, dec repeat. (9)
R7–R20: Sc in each st. (9) — 14 rounds for leg length
Stuff lightly. Flatten and close with several slip stitches across the opening. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew to the sides of the body at shoulder height.
Back Legs (Make 2)
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in each st. (12)
R3–R5: Sc in each st. (12)
R6: Sc 2, dec repeat. (9)
R7–R16: Sc in each st. (9) — 10 rounds
Stuff lightly. Flatten, close, and sew to the lower sides of the body, positioned so that they extend outward and slightly downward to give the cat a natural seated position.
Tail
The Oriental cat’s tail is long, thin, and tapering — another signature feature of the breed.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2–R4: Sc in each st. (6)
R5: Sc 4, dec. (5)
R6–R10: Sc in each st. (5)
R11: Sc 3, dec. (4)
R12–R30: Sc in each st. (4)
If you want the tail to curl dramatically, insert a wire armature before closing. Fasten off and sew to the back lower section of the body. Curl it around one of the front paws for a classic resting cat pose.
Assembly
Sewing the pieces together is where your cat really comes to life. Use your yarn needle and the long tails you left on each piece, and take your time with placement before committing to stitching.
Start by attaching the head to the body. The head should sit slightly forward rather than perfectly upright, giving the cat an attentive, alert expression that suits the breed’s curious nature. Pin it in place if you have pins handy and step back to look at the overall silhouette before sewing.
Next, attach the front legs. For a seated cat, these extend forward and downward from the shoulders. You can position them side by side pointing forward to make the cat look prim and proper, or angle them slightly outward for a more relaxed look.
Attach the back legs at the sides, angled so they tuck under the body naturally. Finally, sew the tail to the back, and if you’ve used wire, bend it into your preferred curve.
Adding the Final Details
The big green eyes you’ve already installed are the showstopper of this pattern, but a few finishing touches will elevate your cat from adorable to absolutely stunning.
Using black embroidery floss, add three or four tiny stitches on either side of the muzzle for whisker dots. You can also glue on very thin craft wire or nylon thread as actual whiskers if you want that extra level of realism — just seal the ends with a tiny drop of fabric glue so they don’t pull out.
If your cat has a lighter coat color, adding subtle shading around the ears and muzzle with a small amount of blush-colored yarn or even a cosmetic brush of eyeshadow can give your amigurumi a soft, dimensional look that photographs beautifully.
Tips for Making Your Oriental Cat Look Its Best
Getting the breed characteristics right is all about proportion. The head should feel large relative to the body, and the ears should feel almost too large relative to the head. The muzzle should be fairly flat and understated, with the big green eyes doing most of the expressive work.
If your cat’s head looks too round, try blocking it into a slightly more angular shape while the yarn is still damp. This works especially well with natural fiber yarns like cotton or wool. Simply wet the head, press it gently into a more wedge-like shape, and let it dry completely before assembling.
For the green eyes specifically, the color you choose will completely change the personality of the finished cat. A bright, vivid emerald gives the cat a wild, alert expression. A softer sage or sea-glass green feels more serene and mysterious. A yellow-green chartreuse reads as almost otherworldly and magical. Choose based on the character you want your cat to have.
Yarn Color Inspiration
One of the greatest joys of crocheting an Oriental cat amigurumi is choosing the color. Unlike patterns for named breeds with very specific coloring requirements, you can truly make this cat your own. Here are some beautiful options to consider:
A jet black cat with those big green eyes is absolutely striking — like a miniature panther sitting on your bookshelf. A blue-gray or slate-colored cat has a sophisticated, almost vintage quality. A warm cream or ivory cat looks regal and soft. A rich chocolate brown is unexpected and gorgeous. If you’re feeling adventurous, a variegated yarn in warm tortoiseshell tones creates a tabby effect that looks incredible.
Whatever color you choose, just make sure the muzzle, inner ear, and nose details are in a contrasting pink or rose so those features read clearly against the main body color.
Displaying and Gifting Your Finished Cat
This Oriental cat amigurumi makes an extraordinary gift for cat lovers, particularly anyone who has or has had an Oriental Shorthair, Siamese, or similar breed. The level of breed accuracy in the design means that people who love these cats will recognize and appreciate it immediately in a way that a generic stuffed cat simply cannot achieve.
For display, a small wooden stand or a little crocheted cushion underneath makes the cat look like a true decorative object rather than just a toy. Styled on a bookshelf alongside some green plants or art books, this cat amigurumi photographs like a dream.
If you’re giving it as a gift, consider matching the yarn color to the recipient’s actual cat. There is something almost magical about receiving a miniature crocheted version of your own beloved pet, and this pattern’s proportions lend themselves perfectly to that kind of personalized tribute.
A Note on Difficulty Level
This pattern is suitable for intermediate crocheters. If you’re comfortable working in continuous rounds, performing invisible decreases, and sewing multiple pieces together neatly, you have all the technical skills you need. The shaped ears and the muzzle addition require a bit of patience, but neither involves any complicated stitches. Plan for approximately 8–12 hours of work depending on your experience level and crocheting speed.
If you’re newer to amigurumi and this is only your second or third project, don’t be discouraged. Work through the head first — it’s the most complex piece and also the most important. Once you’ve cracked the head and placed those beautiful green eyes, the rest of the cat will come together with confidence and momentum.
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