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How to Crochet the Cat Stitch Pattern (Easy Tutorial)

If you're a cat lover who also loves to crochet, this one's for you! The cat stitch is a playful little pattern that forms rows of tiny kitten silhouettes — pointy ears, round faces, and little dangling paws. It looks intricate, but it's really just a variation on the classic shell stitch, so if you already know how to double crochet, you're most of the way there.

This stitch works up quickly and looks amazing in blankets, scarves, cardigans, or even as a decorative border on an existing project. Alternate two or three yarn colors and you'll get rows of colorful cats marching across your work — a really fun, giftable design for any cat person in your life.



What You'll Need

  • Yarn in 2–3 contrasting colors
  • Crochet hook (size to match your yarn weight)
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • CH – Chain
  • DC – Double Crochet
  • PREV – Previous
  • SLST – Slip Stitch
  • ST – Stitch
  • E-DC-CL – Elongated Double Crochet Cluster
  • SHELL – 2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC

Foundation Chain

Chain 40, or any multiple of 5, depending on how wide you want your piece.

Step-by-Step Pattern

Row 1: Work a DC into the 4th chain from your hook. From there, skip 4 chains and work a SHELL (2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC) into the next chain. Keep repeating that across the row until 6 chains remain. Skip the next 4 chains, then finish with a DC in each of the last 2 chains. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 2: The turning CH-3 counts as your first DC for the rest of the pattern. DC into the first DC of the previous row. Then work a SHELL into the CH-1 space of each shell below, repeating across until 2 stitches remain. DC into each of the last 2 stitches. Switch to your second color, chain 3, and turn.

Row 3: DC into the first DC of the previous row. Then repeat: work an Elongated Double Crochet Cluster (E-DC-CL) into the space two rows below, followed by a SHELL into the CH-1 space of the shell in the row directly below. Continue across until 2 stitches remain, then DC into each of the last 2 stitches. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 4: DC into the first DC of the previous row. Work a SHELL into the CH-1 space of each shell below, repeating across until 2 stitches remain. DC into the last 2 stitches. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 5: Repeat Row 4.

Keep repeating Rows 3–5, switching colors every 3 rows, until your piece is the size you want.

Video Tutorial

This stitch pattern comes from Naztazia's crochet tutorials — her video walkthrough is the easiest way to see the technique in action before trying it yourself:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_B_twkzChw

A Few Tips

  • Practice the shell + elongated cluster sequence a couple of times with scrap yarn before starting your real project — it clicks fast once you see the rhythm.
  • Starting each color change on the same side (all right-side rows, for example) keeps your yarn tails on one edge, so there's less weaving in later.
  • A simple border or edging around the finished piece hides any floats or carried yarn nicely.

Happy stitching, and enjoy your kitty-covered creation! 🐱

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