Are you a cat lover? You might not know this, but I am essentially a “crazy cat lady“. I think that is why I just love this cat stitch crochet motif. The cat stitch has been on my list of stitches to learn for a while, and I finally got around to learning it!
So, if you like cats and you’re looking to add a touch of whimsy and charm to some of your crochet projects, the cat stitch is a delightful motif that you might enjoy as much as I do. With its rows of adorable cats in alternating colors, this stitch creates a unique and eye-catching design for anyone who loves cats. But first, let me tell you about my kitties!
The cats
Currently I have 9 cats. I did not ask to have so many, they found me. We live in a neighborhood that is overrun with feral cats. My husband and I tried to ignore it for years, but the cats were adamant that they were going to live with us. So, we changed our mentality and now we do our part in keeping the population down by spaying and neutering the ones who choose to live with us.
Picture above, left to right, Gaylord, Wayne, Itty Bitty, and Super Fuzz.
Six are outdoor former ferals, 1 is a stray, and 2 are house cats (chosen prior to the ferals). Outside we have D, Wayne, and Tabitha, the second feral litter I was blessed with about 3 years ago. (I managed to rehome the first litter, Freddy, Betty, and Letty!). Then I have Gaylord and Superfuzz, another litter that has been with me 2 years.
That leaves Junior who is the stray, and Itty Bitty. Junior has been around probably 5 years (he splits his time between me and a neighbor). Itty Bitty is a feral who showed up less than a year ago on deaths door. He is now happy and healthy, but still needs to be neutered. I did recently have another feral kitten to show up, but it disappeared within a couple of weeks. All of my cats are spayed and neutered with the exception of Itty Bitty.
Inside we have Harley and Davidson (Pictured below)…. my husband is a biker. We have had these 2 for over 6 years.
Cat Stitch CROCHET
This entire blog post will give you a crochet cat blanket free pattern. Go through the whole post and put together a crochet cat blanket for yourself!
The colors
The cat stitch crochet motif is a 3-row repeating pattern. It is made up of basic stitches though, so it is perfect for even crochet beginners. The thing to keep in mind with this motif is that you have to have at least 2 alternating colors. A solid color will not show the pattern.
Stitches
The entire cat stitch crochet motif is created with double crochet stitches, but its the placement that matters. Some of them are just your standard dc stitches, and others you have to loop down to the row below to create the separation between the “cats” which ends up looking like the feet or legs of the cat.
Starting Chain
The starting chain will need to be a multiple of 5. The multiple of 5 is because the pattern does 5 stitches over 5 chains. You will create 5 stitches in one chain, then skip 4 chains and repeat across. The pattern also starts and ends with 2 dc on each end.
The Shell Stitch
To start you dc in the 4th chain, this gives you 2 dc, one you just crocheted and the other is the 3 chain stitches you skipped. Once you have the 2 dc on the end, you *skip four chains and 2dc, ch 1, 2dc (the shell stitch)* in the next chain. Then you skip 4 chains 2dc, ch 1, 2dc and repeat across. At the end of your foundation chain you will end up with 2 chains left over, this is for you 2 dc on the other end.
Round 2 is a repeat of round 1. Don’t change your colors yet. You will chain 3 and turn. Each of your shell stitches will go in the “ch 1” space of the shell stitch on the previous row. You will follow the pattern across and end with the 2 dc. Change your color before you finish the chain 3.
Extended double crochet Cluster stitch
The chain 3 counts as your first dc, so then you need the second dc in the second stitch so you keep 2 dc on each end. The next stitch you will make is the “extended dc stitch”. It is called extended because it reaches all the way down to the first row in the openings between the shell stitches, which is 2 openings down. It is called a cluster because before you close up, you will do another one leaving 3 loops on your hook to close up instead of 2 loops.
Once you have your extended dc cluster stitch in the first opening between the shell stitches you continue the shell stitch pattern in the chain 1 space of the previous shell stitch. Then in each space between shell stitches you do the extended dc cluster stitch.
Remember, you want 2 dc on the end. So when you have 2 stitches left, that is where the 2 dc go.
Row 4 and Row 5
For row 4 and row 5 you will be repeating row 2 where you create the shell stitches going across. You will still be working with your second color. And remember, still end with 2 dc in the last 2 stitches. At the end of row 5 you will change your color again before you complete the chain 3.
Row 6
For row 6 you will go back to row 3 with the extended dc cluster stitch. Your extended cluster stitch will be extending down to the second opening down.
Free Printable Row Tracker
Row 7 and Row 8
Row 7 and 8 will repeat row 2 again.
Continuing on
From here on you will repeat row 2 twice, and then row 3. Then row 2 twice and then row 3 until you reach the end of your project!
Video Tutorial
I don’t know if you follow Naztazia, but I love their tutorials. Click here for the cat stitch crochet tutorial.
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