Mini Yellow Cat

A quick, cuddly knitted cat toy approximately 4½" (11.5 cm) tall — perfect for beginners and scrap-busting.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), approx 40 yd (37 m) main color (MC) bright yellow; small amounts of black and pink for face and inner ears.
• Needles: US 6 (4 mm) straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
• Notions: Polyester fiberfill stuffing; tapestry needle; scissors; optional 6 mm safety eyes (or embroider).
• Yardage note: One mini cat uses less than half a standard 100 g skein.

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch after light blocking. (Gauge is important for a firm fabric that holds stuffing without gaps.)

Finished Size

One size: approx 4½" (11.5 cm) tall × 2½" (6.5 cm) wide when stuffed.

Abbreviations (US)

• k – knit
• p – purl
• kfb – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• MC – main color

Pattern Notes

• Worked flat in stockinette (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) unless stated otherwise.
• All pieces are seamed with mattress stitch or whipstitch for a neat finish.
• Stuff firmly but not so hard that stitches stretch open.
• Leave long tails (8–10") when casting on and binding off for seaming.
• For a neater look, carry yarn tails inside the body when possible.

Instructions

Body & Head (worked as one piece)

With MC, CO 12 sts. Row 1 (RS): Knit. Row 2 (WS): Purl. Row 3 (inc): *K1, kfb; rep from * to end. (18 sts) (12 + 6 incs = 18 ✓) Row 4: Purl. Row 5 (inc): *K2, kfb; rep from * to end. (24 sts) (18 + 6 incs = 24 ✓) Rows 6–20: Work even in stockinette (knit RS, purl WS). (15 rows) — Piece measures approx 3" (7.5 cm) from CO edge.

Shape neck Row 21 (dec): *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. (18 sts) (24 – 6 decs = 18 ✓) Row 22: Purl. Row 23 (dec): *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. (12 sts) (18 – 6 decs = 12 ✓) Row 24: Purl.

Shape head Row 25 (inc): *K1, kfb; rep from * to end. (18 sts) (12 + 6 incs = 18 ✓) Row 26: Purl. Row 27 (inc): *K2, kfb; rep from * to end. (24 sts) (18 + 6 incs = 24 ✓) Rows 28–36: Work even in stockinette. (9 rows) — Head section measures approx 1½" (4 cm).

Shape top of head Row 37 (dec): *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. (18 sts) (24 – 6 decs = 18 ✓) Row 38: Purl. Row 39 (dec): *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. (12 sts) (18 – 6 decs = 12 ✓) Row 40: Purl. Row 41 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end. (6 sts) (12 – 6 decs = 6 ✓) Cut yarn, leaving a 10" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. This closes the top of the head.

Ears (make 2)

With MC, CO 8 sts. Row 1 (RS): Knit. Row 2: Purl. Row 3 (dec): K2tog, k4, k2tog. (6 sts) (8 – 2 = 6 ✓) Row 4: Purl. Row 5 (dec): K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts) (6 – 2 = 4 ✓) Row 6: Purl. Row 7 (dec): K2tog twice. (2 sts) (4 – 2 = 2 ✓) Row 8: P2tog. (1 st) Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail.
Optional: with pink yarn, embroider a small triangle on the lower half of each ear for inner-ear detail before seaming.

Tail

With MC, CO 6 sts. Work in stockinette for 16 rows (approx 2¼"). Next row (dec): K2tog three times. (3 sts) (6 – 3 = 3 ✓) Cut yarn, thread through remaining 3 sts, pull tight, and secure. Leave long tail for seaming.

Legs (make 4)

With MC, CO 8 sts. Work in stockinette for 10 rows (approx 1½"). Next row (dec): K2tog four times. (4 sts) (8 – 4 = 4 ✓) Cut yarn, thread through remaining 4 sts, pull tight, and secure. Leave long tail.

Finishing

1. Body seam: With WS together, mattress-stitch the back seam of body/head from CO edge up to neck, then continue up the head, leaving a 1½" opening at the lower back for stuffing. Stuff firmly, shaping the body into a rounded oval and the head into a sphere. Close remaining seam.
2. Ears: Fold each ear in half vertically (WS inside) and whipstitch the side seam. Sew ears to top of head, spaced about ½" apart, curving slightly forward.
3. Legs: Stuff lightly. Sew the four legs to the underside of the body — two at the front, two at the back — so the cat sits stably.
4. Tail: Stuff lightly if desired (or leave unstuffed for a floppy look). Sew to the lower back center.
5. Face:
   • Eyes: with black yarn, make two small French knots or satin-stitch ovals about ½" apart on the face.
   • Nose: with pink or black, satin-stitch a tiny triangle or “Y” shape centered below the eyes.
   • Whiskers (optional): two or three straight stitches on each side of the nose with black yarn.
   • Mouth: a small curved stitch under the nose.
6. Weave in all ends securely inside the body. Gently shape the finished cat with your hands.

Your mini yellow cat is ready to nap on a shelf or travel in a pocket!