purlJam

# SLEEPY KITTEN KNITTING PATTERN

**Designed for beginners | Finished size: approximately 6-7 inches long**

## OVERVIEW
This adorable sleeping kitten is worked in separate pieces and seamed together. The kitten is shown in a curled-up sleeping position, perfect for cuddling or decoration. All features are embroidered for safety.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 
- Main Color (MC): Approximately 100 yards worsted weight yarn (sample shown in gray)
- Contrast Color for embroidery (CC): Small amount in pink or black for nose and mouth

**Needles**: 
- US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or one 32" circular needle for Magic Loop method

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Scrap yarn or safety pins for marking placement

## GAUGE
20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but will affect finished size.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker

## PATTERN NOTES
- Body, head, legs, and tail are worked in the round in stockinette stitch (knit every round)
- Ears are worked flat
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go, before openings become too small
- Use your preferred method for working in the round (DPNs or Magic Loop)

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY
The body is worked from back end to front end in a curved shape.

**Cast on**: 12 sts, divide evenly over DPNs (4-4-4) or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1**: Knit.
**Rnd 2**: *Kfb, k1; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 12 sts × 1.5 = 18 sts ✓]
**Rnd 3**: Knit.
**Rnd 4**: *Kfb, k2; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 18 sts + 6 increases = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnds 5-7**: Knit (3 rounds).
**Rnd 8**: *Kfb, k3; repeat from * around. (30 sts) [Math check: 24 sts + 6 increases = 30 sts ✓]
**Rnds 9-11**: Knit (3 rounds).
**Rnd 12**: *Kfb, k4; repeat from * around. (36 sts) [Math check: 30 sts + 6 increases = 36 sts ✓]
**Rnds 13-18**: Knit (6 rounds).
**Rnd 19**: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * around. (30 sts) [Math check: 36 sts - 6 decreases = 30 sts ✓]
**Rnds 20-21**: Knit (2 rounds).
**Rnd 22**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 30 sts - 6 decreases = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnds 23-24**: Knit (2 rounds).

Begin stuffing body firmly with fiberfill.

**Rnd 25**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 24 sts - 6 decreases = 18 sts ✓]
**Rnd 26**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (12 sts) [Math check: 18 sts - 6 decreases = 12 sts ✓]
**Rnd 27**: *K2tog; repeat from * around. (6 sts) [Math check: 12 sts - 6 decreases = 6 sts ✓]

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Weave in end.

### HEAD
**Cast on**: 8 sts, divide evenly over DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1**: Kfb in each st around. (16 sts) [Math check: 8 sts × 2 = 16 sts ✓]
**Rnd 2**: Knit.
**Rnd 3**: *Kfb, k1; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 16 sts + 8 increases = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnd 4**: Knit.
**Rnd 5**: *Kfb, k2; repeat from * around. (32 sts) [Math check: 24 sts + 8 increases = 32 sts ✓]
**Rnds 6-12**: Knit (7 rounds).
**Rnd 13**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 32 sts - 8 decreases = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnd 14**: Knit.
**Rnd 15**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (16 sts) [Math check: 24 sts - 8 decreases = 16 sts ✓]

Begin stuffing head firmly.

**Rnd 16**: *K2tog; repeat from * around. (8 sts) [Math check: 16 sts - 8 decreases = 8 sts ✓]

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn leaving 10" tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Leave tail for seaming.

### LEGS (Make 4)
**Cast on**: 8 sts, divide evenly over DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, pm for beginning of round.

**Rnds 1-2**: Knit (2 rounds).
**Rnd 3**: *Kfb, k1; repeat from * around. (12 sts) [Math check: 8 sts + 4 increases = 12 sts ✓]
**Rnds 4-8**: Knit (5 rounds).
**Rnd 9**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (8 sts) [Math check: 12 sts - 4 decreases = 8 sts ✓]

Stuff leg lightly. Cut yarn leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Leave tail for seaming.

### EARS (Make 2, worked flat)
**Cast on**: 8 sts.

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts) [Math check: 8 sts - 2 decreases = 6 sts ✓]
**Row 3**: Purl.
**Row 4**: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts) [Math check: 6 sts - 2 decreases = 4 sts ✓]
**Row 5**: Purl.
**Row 6**: Ssk, k2tog. (2 sts) [Math check: 4 sts - 2 decreases = 2 sts ✓]
**Row 7**: P2tog. (1 st) [Math check: 2 sts - 1 decrease = 1 st ✓]

Cut yarn and pull through final stitch. Leave 8" tail for seaming.

### TAIL
**Cast on**: 6 sts, divide evenly over DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, pm for beginning of round.

**Rnds 1-12**: Knit (12 rounds).

Cut yarn leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Leave cast-on tail for seaming.

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## ASSEMBLY

1. **Shape the Body**: Gently curve the body into a C-shape or crescent to create the sleeping position. The smaller end (front) should curve slightly inward.

2. **Attach Head**: Position the head at the smaller end of the body, angled slightly downward as if tucked in sleep. Using the yarn tail and tapestry needle, seam the head to the body with whip stitch or mattress stitch, adding more stuffing if needed before completing the seam.

3. **Attach Legs**: Position the four legs underneath the body in pairs (front and back legs). The front legs should be positioned near where the head meets the body, and the back legs should be positioned at the wider part of the body. Attach each leg securely using the yarn tails.

4. **Attach Tail**: Sew the tail to the back end of the body (the wider end), allowing it to curve naturally around the body.

5. **Attach Ears**: Position ears on top of head, slightly to the sides. Fold the cast-on edge of each ear in half to create a small pleat, and sew securely to head with the points facing upward and slightly outward.

6. **Weave in Ends**: Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely.

## EMBROIDERING THE FACE

1. **Closed Eyes**: Using CC or MC, embroider two curved lines for closed eyes using backstitch or stem stitch. Position eyes on the front of the head, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Each eye should be approximately 0.5-0.75 inches long, curved in a gentle arc (⌢ shape).

2. **Nose**: Using pink or black yarn, embroider a small triangle or circle for the nose, positioned centrally below and between the eyes.

3. **Mouth** (optional): With a single strand of yarn, embroider a small curved line or "Y" shape below the nose for a sleeping smile.

4. **Whiskers** (optional): You can add short straight stitches radiating from either side of the nose area, or omit these for a simpler look.

## FINISHING

Gently shape your kitten into the desired sleeping position. You can curve the body more tightly or loosely depending on your preference. The kitten should sit stably on its side.

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Squeeze out excess water (do not wring) and reshape. Lay flat to dry.

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**Congratulations on completing your Sleepy Kitten!**

*Pattern designed for beginner knitters. Please do not redistribute this pattern for commercial use.*