Caitseith knitted cat toy

A small, cuddly knitted Caitseith cat toy with sculpted head, embroidered face, tufted ears and a long tail. Worked in the round with small needles for a dense fabric that holds stuffing well. Finished height approximately 22–24 cm (8.5–9.5 in) depending on yarn/needle tension.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (US 4). Approx quantities: Main color (MC) 75 g (2.6 oz; approx 164 yds / 150 m), Contrast color (CC) for belly/inner ear 25 g (0.9 oz; approx 55 yds / 50 m). (Typical label: 100 g = ~200 m / ~218 yds).
• Needles (knitting in the round): US 3 (UK 11 old) / 3.25 mm. Use 3.25 mm double-pointed needles (set of 4 or 5) or a 40 cm (16 in) circular + magic loop. Use same size for head/limbs. If your fabric is too loose, go down one size; if it's too tight to work, go up one size.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, small safety eyes (9 mm recommended) or embroider eyes, toy stuffing (polyfill), small amount of toy-grade polyester stuffing for shaping, thin polyester fiber for neck/cheek shaping if desired, small amount of black embroidery thread for nose/mouth, scissors, pins for positioning pieces.
• Optional: small scrap of felt for inner ear reinforcement, fabric-safe glue if using felt, anti-pill wash for finished toy.

Gauge

24 sts × 32 rows = 10 cm (4 in) in stockinette st in the round on 3.25 mm needles. Gauge is not critical for this toy but affects final size; check gauge if you need precise sizing.

Finished measurements

• Total height with ears: approx 22-24 cm (8.5-9.5 in)
• Chest circumference: approx 18 cm (7 in)

Abbreviations (UK/US friendly)

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1 = make one (increase) — lift bar between stitches and knit through back loop
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round
• Dec = decrease (K2tog or SSK as noted)
• MC = main color
• CC = contrast color

Notes

• Work toy mostly in the round. If you prefer flat pieces and seaming, you can adapt components accordingly.
• When changing colors or stuffing, keep edges tidy by weaving in ends as you go or leaving them long for finishing.
• Use safety eyes only if toy is for an adult or over 3 years old; for babies under 3, embroider eyes instead.
• The pattern gives round-by-round instructions. Begin each round at the marker and slip marker between rounds if using circulars/DPNs.

Construction overview

Make: Body (bottom-up, joined to head), Head (sewn on or knitted on depending on preference), 2 Arms, 2 Legs, Tail, 2 Ears. Assembly: stitch arms/legs into body, embroider face, attach tail and ears, finish stuffing and shaping.

Body (worked bottom-up in the round)

Using MC and DPNs, cast on 36 sts. Join to work in the round, placing marker (pm) for beginning of rnd.

Rnd 1: K all rnds unless instructed otherwise.

Rnd 1: K 36. Rnd 2: *K 1, M1; repeat from * to end — 48 sts. Rnd 3: K 48. Rnd 4: *K 5, Kfb; repeat from * to end — 8 repeats — 56 sts. Rnd 5–14: K 56 (10 rnds) — work even to form lower body. Stuff firmly as you go where appropriate or leave for later shaping. Rnd 15: *K 6, K2tog; repeat from * to end — 7 repeats (56 -> 49 sts). Rnd 16: K 49. Rnd 17: *K 5, K2tog; repeat from * to end — 7 repeats -> 42 sts. Rnd 18–22: K 42 (5 rnds) — continue stuffing lightly.

Shape waist: Rnd 23: *K 4, K2tog; repeat — 7 repeats -> 35 sts. Rnd 24: K 35. Rnd 25: *K 3, K2tog; repeat — 7 repeats -> 28 sts. Rnd 26–28: K 28 (3 rnds).

Next we create the chest increase to make room for head join: Rnd 29: *K 3, M1; repeat — 35 sts. Rnd 30: K 35. Rnd 31: *K 4, M1; repeat where fits -> approx 42 sts (adjust evenly) — aim for 42 sts. Rnd 32–36: K 42 (5 rnds) — leave opening for neck: do not stuff head area yet; stuff lower body firmly, taper stuffing toward neck.

Legs — make 2

Work in the round with MC. Cast on 16 sts. Divide across 3 DPNs or use magic loop and join. Rnd 1–10: K 16 (10 rnds) — stuff lightly as you work. Rnd 11: *K 2, Kfb; repeat -> 24 sts. Rnd 12: K 24. Rnd 13: *K 3, K2tog; repeat to end -> 18 sts. Rnd 14–16: K 18. Leave sts live and set aside. Repeat for second leg. Attach legs to body: Position legs evenly on the lower body opening (approx opposite each other). Pick up and knit stitches from body edge bridging leg gaps so legs and body are joined with no gaps — or sew legs to body with mattress stitch for a clean join. Ensure legs are symmetrical and lightly stuff feet to shape before final closing.

Arms — make 2

Cast on 12 sts. Rnd 1–8: K 12 (8 rnds). Stuff lightly as you go. Rnd 9: *K 3, Kfb; repeat -> 16 sts. Rnd 10–18: K 16 (9 rnds) — shape to taper where wrist will be. Rnd 19: *K 2, K2tog; repeat -> 12 sts. Rnd 20–22: K 12. Break yarn leaving long tail for sewing. Flatten end and sew closed with tapestry needle, shaping thumb area slightly. Repeat for second arm.

Head

Work in the round, stuffed firmly to keep shape. Cast on 48 sts with MC. Join. Rnd 1–6: K 48 (6 rnds). Rnd 7: *K 6, Kfb; repeat -> 56 sts. Rnd 8–12: K 56 (5 rnds). Rnd 13: *K 7, K2tog; repeat -> 48 sts. Rnd 14–17: K 48. Rnd 18: *K 6, K2tog; repeat -> 42 sts. Rnd 19: K 42. Rnd 20: *K 5, K2tog; repeat -> 36 sts. Stuff head firmly with polyfill, adding a small extra amount at cheeks for roundness. Continue decreasing: Rnd 21: *K 4, K2tog -> 30 sts. Rnd 22: *K 3, K2tog -> 24 sts. Rnd 23: *K 2, K2tog -> 18 sts. Insert safety eyes between rnds 13–15, about 8–10 sts apart depending on look; typical placement is 3–4 cm (1.25–1.5 in) from center depending on size of eyes. If embroidering, mark placement before final stuffing. Rnd 24: *K 1, K2tog -> 12 sts. Rnd 25: K2tog across -> 6 sts. Break yarn, thread tail through tapestry needle, pull through remaining sts, secure and weave in end into head interior.

Ears — make 2

Cast on 7 sts. Row 1: K across 7. Row 2: K across. Row 3: K2tog, K 3, SSK -> 5 sts. Row 4: K across 5. Row 5: K2tog, K1, SSK -> 3 sts. Row 6: K across 3. Row 7: K3tog -> 1 st. Break yarn, thread tail through last st and secure. Fold ear and mattress stitch base edge to form triangular ear. Optionally knit a small inner ear in CC using a 3-st triangle and stitch to ear front for color contrast. Sew ears to top of head, angling slightly outward. Reinforce with embroidery if needed.

Tail

Cast on 8 sts. Rnd 1–20: K 8 (20 rnds) — longer or shorter tail as desired. Stuff lightly to keep floppy but posable. Decrease last 4 rnds gradually by K2tog every other round to taper, finish by threading tail through remaining sts and pulling closed. Weave in end. Optionally add a small tuft at the tip by leaving a 6–8 cm section unstuffed and pulling yarn strands through and trimming to create a brush tail effect.

Assembly & finishing

• Attach head to body: If you worked head and body separate, sew head onto neck opening using mattress stitch or whipstitch. Take small stitches and shape neck so head sits securely and slightly forward. Use extra stuffing around neck for stability if needed.
• Sew arms to upper body sides: position approximately 6–8 sts down from the neck seam; use pins to check placement. Sew through body and arm top for a secure join. Shape arm seam and add a few stuffing adjustments.
• Sew legs to bottom of body if not already joined. Ensure the toy stands or sits in the posture you want — add a small flat felt pad inside one foot if extra stability is needed.
• Sew tail to back center of lower body. For extra strength, reinforce with a small button inside body or extra wrap of yarn before closing.
• Face: Using black embroidery thread, stitch a small triangle nose about one rnd below eye level; bring short vertical stitch and two short slanted mouth stitches. Add whisker dots: using French knots or bullion knots in black or dark gray. Embroider eyelids or lashes as desired. Keep facial features small for a soft look.
• Ears: sew ears to top of head. If you added CC inner ear, sew CC to ear interior first, then attach ear. Add small tufts by knotted strands if you want a wild Caitseith look.
• Weave in all yarn tails securely inside toy. Tape or knot ends and bury into stuffing if this toy will be washed.

Safety and care

• If the toy is for a child under 3, do not use safety eyes or any detachable small parts; embroider eyes and features instead.
• Handwash gently in cool water with small amount of mild detergent. Reshape and dry flat. Do not tumble dry.

Variations & tips

• Change facial expression by lowering or raising eye placement, altering mouth angle or adding eyebrows.
• Make a striped Caitseith by alternating MC and CC in the body rounds—carry yarn up the inside to avoid many ends.
• For a more stylized Caitseith, elongate the tail and add a tassel tip. For a baby-safe toy, knit everything in one piece and embroider all features.

Troubleshooting

• Gaps in the fabric: use a smaller needle or add stuffing after closing to maintain shape.
• Head lopsided after stuffing: remove some stuffing and re-position pieces, then stitch with small tacking stitches to re-center.

Pattern by PurlJam. For more patterns, visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam

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