St Patrick’s Day Crochet Cat Guide

Meet the Leprechaun Cat

Say hello to the St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Cat—a cheeky male kitty with a knack for mischief and a stash of gold yarn. This sly feline sports a green top hat, a vest with shamrock buttons, and a tiny pot of gold coins at his feet. With his sleek black coat and a twinkle in his eye, he’s ready to guard your luck this March.

Personality

This cat’s a trickster with a golden heart. He’d rather hoard your yarn than share it, and he’s got a wink that says he knows where the rainbow ends. Crochet him up, and he’ll bring a playful Irish spirit to your St. Patty’s Day festivities—just don’t ask him to reveal his secrets!

What You’ll Make

A 12-inch-long amigurumi cat standing upright with a slight lean, featuring a black body, green top hat and vest, and a small black pot with gold coins. He’s got pointed ears, four legs with green paws, a curled tail, and an embroidered face (eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers). Shamrock accents and a sly grin tie him to the holiday.

Stitch Legend

• ch: Chain – Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
• sc: Single Crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc: Double Crochet – Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops.
• sl st: Slip Stitch – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
• sc2tog: Single Crochet Two Together (decrease) – Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• Magic Circle: Adjustable loop—wrap yarn around finger, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, work stitches into ring, pull tail to close.

Materials

• Yarn: Medium weight (4):
  • Main body: Black (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Black”), ~200 yards.
  • Paws and vest: Green (e.g., Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice “Kelly Green”), ~75 yards.
  • Top hat: Dark green (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Hunter Green”), ~50 yards.
  • Coins: Gold (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Gold”), ~20 yards.
  • Face: White yarn/thread (e.g., DMC Cotton Perle #5) for eyes, pink for nose, black for mouth.
  • Shamrocks: Bright green (e.g., Red Heart Super Saver “Spring Green”), ~10 yards.
• Hook: Size H (5.0 mm) for a firm texture.
• Filling:
  • Primary: Polyester fiberfill (~8-12 oz bag).
  • Substitutes:
    • Cotton batting: Soft, natural, denser.
    • Yarn scraps: Finely chopped—eco-friendly.
    • Wool roving: Light, fluffy, premium.
    • Fabric strips: Washed, shredded clothing—sustainable, heavier.
• Extras:
  • Optional: Safety eyes (10-12 mm)—for non-child use only.
  • Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers.
  • Pipe cleaner (~5” for tail).
  • White embroidery floss or thin yarn (whiskers).

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4” square. Tight stitches hide filling.

Finished Size

~12” long (head to tail), 5” wide (with legs), 6” tall standing.

Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless specified; mark first stitch.
• Stuff firmly for a solid stance.
• US crochet terms used.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Head

1. Magic Circle: With black yarn, form a magic circle. Ch 1, 6 sc into circle, pull tight. (6 sc)
2. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
3. Increase Round 2: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
4. Increase Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (24 sc)
5. Increase Round 4: [1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (30 sc)
6. Increase Round 5: [1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (36 sc)
7. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 6 rounds. (36 sc per round)
8. Decrease Round 1: [1 sc in next 4 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (30 sc)
9. Decrease Round 2: [1 sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (24 sc)
10. Begin Stuffing: Add filling halfway—push into edges.
11. Decrease Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, sc2tog] 6 times. (18 sc)
12. Decrease Round 4: [1 sc in next stitch, sc2tog] 6 times. (12 sc)
13. Finish Stuffing: Fill firmly. Fasten off with 12” tail, weave through front loops, pull tight, knot, hide end.

Eyes (Choose One Method)

14. Placement Note: Add eyes after head is stuffed. Position between rounds 9 and 10, 6 stitches apart (left edge to left edge). Mark if needed.
15. Option 1: Yarn Eyes (Safe & Simple):
    • Thread needle with white yarn (~12” length).
    • Left eye: At round 9, 6 stitches left of center, make a French knot (wrap yarn 3 times around needle, pull through, anchor with a stitch).
    • Right eye: Repeat at round 10, 6 stitches right of center.
    • Knot inside head, weave in. Result: Small, round eyes, ~¼” wide.
16. Option 2: Thread Eyes (Detailed):
    • Use white floss (2 strands, ~18” length) and needle.
    • Left eye: At round 9, 6 stitches left, outline a ½” oval (2-3 backstitches, up 2 rows, across 2 stitches), fill with 8-10 satin stitches.
    • Right eye: Repeat at round 10, 6 stitches right.
    • Add black floss dot in center of each for pupils. Knot inside. Result: Oval, mischievous eyes.
17. Option 3: Safety Eyes (Optional):
    • Before stuffing (after step 7), insert 10-12 mm safety eyes at rounds 9-10, 6 stitches apart. Secure backs inside.
    • Proceed with stuffing. Note: Not safe for kids under 3.

Nose

18. Embroider: With pink yarn/thread, stitch a small oval at round 12, center (2 stitches wide, 1 row tall, 3-4 satin stitches). Knot inside.

Mouth

19. Embroider: With black yarn/thread, sew a curved line (3 stitches wide) at round 13, below nose, tilting up on the right for a sly grin. Knot inside.

Ears (Make 2)

20. Base: With black yarn, ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch. (4 sc)
21. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (4 sc)
22. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 2 stitches. (3 sc)
23. Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next stitch. (2 sc)
24. Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. (1 sc) Fasten off, leave 6” tail.
25. Attach: Sew ears to head between rounds 3-6, 4 stitches apart, whipstitch base, angle slightly inward.

Body

26. Base Oval: With black yarn, ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc in next 9 ch, 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st. (24 sc)
27. Round 1: Ch 1, [1 sc in next 9 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] twice. Join. (28 sc)
28. Straight Rounds: Ch 1, 1 sc in each stitch for 10 rounds, join with sl st. (28 sc per round)
29. Stuff: Fill body firmly to ¾ full.

Legs (Make 4)

36. Start: With black yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
37. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
38. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 6 rounds. (12 sc per round)
39. Stuff: Fill leg halfway.
40. Paw Base: Switch to green yarn, [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
41. Paw Round 2: 1 sc in each stitch. (18 sc)
42. Close: [Sc2tog] 9 times (9 sc), fasten off with 8” tail, weave through stitches, pull tight.
43. Attach: Sew front legs at rounds 35-37 (5 stitches apart), back legs at 39-41 (6 stitches apart). Position for standing, leaning slightly forward.

Tail

44. Start: With black yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
45. Increase: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 3 times. (9 sc)
46. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 8 rounds. (9 sc per round)
47. Stuff: Insert 5” pipe cleaner, add light filling.
48. Taper: [1 sc, sc2tog] 3 times (6 sc), fasten off, weave tail through to close.
49. Attach: Sew to back center at round 41, curling to the right.

Top Hat

50. Base: With dark green yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
51. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
52. Increase Round 2: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
53. Increase Round 3: [1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (24 sc)
54. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 4 rounds. (24 sc per round)
55. Brim: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 12 times. (36 sc) Fasten off, leave 10” tail.
56. Attach: Sew to head between rounds 4-6, tilted jauntily to the right.

Vest

57. Base: With green yarn, ch 20. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (19 sc)
58. Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (19 sc per row)
59. Armholes: Fold in half lengthwise, sew sides from bottom up 5 rows, leaving top 5 rows open for arms.
60. Shamrock Buttons (Make 3): With bright green yarn, magic circle, ch 1, [3 dc, sl st] 3 times into circle, pull tight. Fasten off, sew to vest front (rows 3, 6, 9).
61. Attach: Slip vest onto body, sew at shoulders (round 35).

Pot of Gold

62. Pot: With black yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight. (6 sc)
63. Increase Round 1: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)
64. Increase Round 2: [1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sc)
65. Straight Rounds: 1 sc in each stitch for 3 rounds. (18 sc per round)
66. Coins: With gold yarn, magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, pull tight (6 sc). Make 5, sew into pot top, overlapping slightly.
67. Attach: Sew pot to ground near front left paw.

Whiskers

68. Prepare: Cut 6 white floss strands, 6” each.
69. Attach: Thread 3 per side through round 11 (1 stitch below eyes, 2 stitches apart). Knot inside, trim to 2”.

Assembly

70. Head to Body: Sew head to body at round 35, straight—use ladder stitch.
71. Pose: Stand upright with a slight lean forward, adjust legs and tail. Secure hat, vest, and pot.

Seasonal Touch

Your Leprechaun Cat is ready to bring St. Patrick’s Day luck! With his sly grin and golden hoard, he’s a mischievous guardian of the green. Set him by a shamrock plant, and let him wink at your festivities.