If you’re a cat lover or just looking for a creative crochet project with a whimsical twist, the Cat Stitch Blanket is the perfect choice! This fun and textured pattern features rows of little cats complete with paws, bodies, faces, and even ears crocheted using a clever combination of clusters and shells.

Not only is this blanket a playful and unique piece, but it also teaches you a variety of stitches and how to work with color changes in rows. Whether you’re making it for a child, a fellow feline fan, or simply to add charm to your home, the Cat Stitch Blanket is sure to make everyone smile.

🐾 Below, you’ll find the complete pattern available in PDF format for easy printing and reference.
🎥 We’ve also included a helpful video tutorial that walks you through the Cat Stitch step-by-step.

Cat Stitch Blanket

🧶 Materials & Stitch Abbreviations

Stitches Used:

  • CH – Chain

  • DC – Double Crochet (Treble in UK terms)

  • Cluster – Yarn over, insert hook into the space between shells two rows below, yarn over and draw up to working row. Repeat THREE times (7 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 6 loops, yarn over again and pull through last 2 loops.

🧵 Color & Yarn Suggestions

Since the cats appear row by row, changing color every 3 rows adds wonderful contrast and makes the “cats” pop. Here are some color ideas to inspire you:

  • Classic Cat Colors: Gray, black, white, and tan stripes

  • Playful Palette: Bright pastels like lilac, mint, baby blue, peach, and lemon

  • Rainbow Cats: Each kitty row in a different color

  • Neutral Elegance: Creams and beiges with a soft accent color

  • Children’s Blanket: Primary brights with soft pastel borders

Recommended Yarns:

  • Paintbox Yarns Simply DK – Great for vivid colors and smooth texture

  • Stylecraft Special DK – Affordable, soft, and perfect for colorful designs

  • Caron Simply Soft – Adds a light sheen for a polished look

  • Cotton blends – Ideal if you want structure and breathability

color suggestion

🔄 Cat Stitch Blanket Instructions

🧵 Foundation (2 Rows)

Chain 103 (or any multiple of 5 + 8 + 5 for a custom width).

Row 1:
DC in 4th chain from hook, DC in next 2 chains (3 DC total).
Skip 2 chains, work a shell [2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC] in next chain. Skip 3 chains.
Repeat * to * until 5 stitches remain. Skip 2 chains, DC in last 3 stitches.

Row 2:
CH 3 (counts as DC), DC in next 2 stitches.
In each CH-1 space (the space in each shell), work a shell [2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC].

🐱 Kitty Section (3 Rows per Cat)

Row 3 – Kitty Body & Paws:
Switch to a new color.
CH 3, DC in next 2 stitches.
Cluster between shells 2 rows below, shell in CH-1 space, cluster, shell, repeat…
End with a cluster before finishing with DC in the last 3 stitches.

Row 4 – Kitty Face:
CH 3, DC in next 2 stitches.
Shell in each shell from the previous row.
DC in last 3 stitches.

Row 5 – Kitty Ears:
Repeat Row 4 with the same color.

🧶 Tip: Repeat Rows 3–5 with a new color each time to create colorful rows of cats.

🧵 Finishing Rows

Second-to-Last Row:

  • Repeat Row 3 (Cluster – Shell pattern)

Final Row – Top Edging:

  • CH 3, DC in next 2 stitches.

  • Work a combination of TR, DC, HDC, SC across the body to flatten and even the top edge:

    • TR in cluster from previous row, DC, HDC, SC in each of next 3 stitches (around shell),

    • HDC, DC, TR (in next cluster), repeat to end.

  • End with DC in last 3 stitches.

🧶 Edging the Blanket

  • CH 3, then DC all around the edges of the blanket.

  • Use a smaller hook for the border to make it neater and easier to work into side stitches.

  • Corners: Work [2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC] in each corner stitch.

Cat Stitch Blanket

📄 Free PDF Pattern

To make crocheting even easier, we’ve created a downloadable version of the Cat Stitch Blanket pattern.

Cat Stitch Blanket PDF

🎥 Video Tutorial

Need a little help visualizing the clusters and kitty shapes?
📺 Scroll down to watch the full Cat Stitch video tutorial and follow along with each row—especially helpful for learning where to place the clusters and shells.

The Cat Stitch Blanket is the perfect blend of playful and practical. Whether you make it in soft pastels for a nursery or bold tones for a living room throw, each row of kittens adds charm and texture. This is one blanket that will truly warm your lap and your heart.

Happy crocheting! 🧶🐾
#MySweetCrafts #CatStitchBlanket