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Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern
4.3★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.2K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐱

Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

This lucky cat amigurumi pattern brings the beloved Japanese Maneki-neko tradition to life in adorable miniature form. Standing at just 4 inches tall, this charming feline features intricate color work with honey and black spotted ears, expressive safety eyes, and delicate embroidered facial features. The pattern includes detailed instructions for creating the signature green collar with bell and a beautiful red pillow complete with handmade tassels, making this a complete display piece that captures authentic cultural charm.

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Working with Yarnart Jeans yarn in multiple colors, you'll create a lucky cat with personality and cultural significance. The invisible decrease technique ensures professional-looking results, while the detailed assembly instructions help you position every element perfectly for that authentic Maneki-neko appearance.

Why You'll Love This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines cultural tradition with handmade artistry in the most delightful way. There's something magical about creating a symbol of good fortune with your own hands, knowing that each stitch carries meaning and positive energy. The combination of soft white yarn with those charming spotted ears and the sweet embroidered face creates a personality that's impossible to resist. I find the process of adding the finishing touches—the tiny collar with its bell, the carefully sewn whiskers, and those gorgeous pillow tassels—incredibly satisfying. Plus, working with the color changes and small details really helps develop your amigurumi skills while creating something truly special.

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this lucky cat pattern to create unique variations that reflect different styles and occasions. Sometimes I'll swap the traditional white body for calico colors—mixing orange, black, and cream patches for a more realistic cat appearance that still maintains that lucky charm magic. For seasonal versions, I've created a pastel lucky cat using soft pink and lavender for spring displays, and even a festive red and gold version for Lunar New Year celebrations.

The pillow offers endless customization possibilities too. Instead of the classic red, I've made pillows in rich royal blue with gold tassels for an elegant look, or soft cream with multi-colored tassels for a bohemian vibe. You could even embroider small symbols or initials on the pillow surface to make it truly personalized.

For the collar, consider using different colored bells or adding tiny charms alongside the traditional bell—maybe a small heart charm or a miniature fish. I've also experimented with collar widths, making thinner collars for a delicate look or chunkier ones for bold statement pieces.

Another fun variation is adjusting the ear colors—try making both ears the same color for symmetry, or use three colors instead of two for extra visual interest. You could even add small embroidered flowers or patterns to the ears for a feminine touch.

The facial expression can be customized too. While the pattern creates a serene smile, you can adjust the mouth embroidery for different expressions—a wider smile for extra cheerfulness, or a tiny curved mouth for a sweet shy look. Playing with eye placement slightly can also create different personalities, making each lucky cat truly one-of-a-kind while still honoring the traditional design.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to use invisible decrease technique results in visible gaps and holes throughout the piece that compromise the professional finish ✗ Placing safety eyes too close together or at wrong rounds creates an unbalanced facial expression that affects overall character appearance ✗ Overstuffing the head and body makes the piece too firm and distorts the shape while understuffing creates floppy disappointing results ✗ Not separating yarn strands for facial embroidery details creates thick clunky features instead of delicate refined whiskers and mouth ✗ Skipping the back loop only instructions in specific rounds disrupts the texture and shape progression causing structural issues later

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Create your own adorable lucky cat (Maneki-neko) with this delightful amigurumi pattern! This charming Japanese-inspired design features a sweet white kitty with colorful spotted ears, complete with a traditional green collar and bell, sitting peacefully on a decorative red pillow with tassels. Perfect for bringing good fortune to your home or as a thoughtful handmade gift, this 4-inch lucky cat combines cultural symbolism with irresistible cuteness that will make you smile every time you see it.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) in white (01)
  • 02
    Yarnart Jeans yarn in black (53)
  • 03
    Yarnart Jeans yarn in red (51)
  • 04
    Yarnart Jeans yarn in pink (36)
  • 05
    Yarnart Jeans yarn in green (82)
  • 06
    Yarnart Jeans yarn in honey (84)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.3mm
  • 02
    Safety ocean blue eyes 7mm (one pair)
  • 03
    Bell 12mm (one piece)
  • 04
    Wooden button 10mm (one piece)
  • 05
    Fiberfill for stuffing
  • 06
    Yarn needle
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

Round 1 :

8sc into magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8inc (16)

Round 3 :

sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, (sc, inc)*2, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc (24)

Round 4 :

2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, sc, sc, inc, 2sc, inc (32)

Round 5 :

3sc, inc, 3sc, inc, 3sc, inc, 3sc, inc, sc, 2sc, inc, 3sc, inc, 2sc, sc, inc, 3sc, inc (40)

Round 6 :

4sc, inc, 4sc, inc, 3sc, sc, inc, 4sc, inc, sc, 3sc, inc, 4sc, inc, 2sc, 2sc, inc, 4sc, inc (48)

Round 7 :

5sc, inc, 5sc, inc, 3sc, 2sc, inc, 5sc, inc, sc, 4sc, inc, 5sc, inc, 2sc, 3sc, inc, 5sc, inc (56)

Round 8 :

7sc, 10sc, 12sc, 15sc, 12sc (56)

Round 9 :

6sc, inc, 6sc, inc, 3sc, 3sc, inc, 6sc, inc, sc, 5sc, inc, 6sc, inc, 2sc, 4sc, inc, 6sc, inc (64)

Round 10 :

8sc, 10sc, 16sc, 16sc, 14sc (64)

Round 11 :

9sc, 8sc, 18sc, 14sc, 15sc (64)

Round 12 :

10sc, 6sc, 20sc, 11sc, 17sc (64)

Round 13 :

10sc, 5sc, 23sc, 7sc, 19sc (64)

Round 14-16 :

64sc (64)

Round 17 :

3sc, (sc, inc)*8, 14sc, (sc, inc)*8, 15sc (80)

Round 18-20 :

80sc (80)

Round 21 :

22sc, 2sc, 21sc, 2sc, 33sc (80)

Round 22 :

20sc, 6sc, 17sc, 6sc, 31sc (80)

Round 23 :

(8sc, dec)*2, 6sc, 2sc, dec, 8sc, dec, 3sc, 5sc, dec, (8sc, dec)*3 (72)

Round 24 :

(7sc, dec)*2, 2sc, 2sc, 3sc, dec, 7sc, dec, 5sc, 2sc, dec, (7sc, dec)*3 (64)

Round 25 :

(6sc, dec)*8 (56)

Round 26 :

BLO (2sc, dec)*14 (42)

Infos :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing. Insert safety eyes between round 16-17 with 7 sts apart. Stuff the head. Separate the yarn into small yarns to have better result. Use black yarn to sew mouth between round 18-20 and sew whiskers between round 18-21. Use pink yarn to sew nose.

— Body :

Info :

Make a chain of 11ch. Start in the second chain from hook.

Round 1 :

9sc, 3sc into the last stitch, work on a long the other side: 8sc, inc (22)

Round 2 :

inc, 8sc, 3inc, 8sc, 2inc (28)

Round 3 :

sc, inc, 8sc, (inc, sc)*3, 8sc, (inc, sc)*2 (34)

Round 4 :

inc, 10sc, (2sc, inc)*3, 8sc, (2sc, inc)*2 (40)

Round 5 :

(4sc, inc)*8 (48)

Round 6 :

48sc (48)

Round 7 :

(5sc, inc)*8 (56)

Round 8 :

56sc (56)

Round 9 :

(13sc, inc)*4 (60)

Round 10-18 :

60sc (60)

Round 19 :

(13sc, dec)*4 (56)

Round 20 :

56sc (56)

Round 21 :

(12sc, dec)*4 (52)

Round 22 :

(11sc, dec)*4 (48)

Round 23 :

(6sc, dec)*6 (42)

Infos :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body.

— Arms (2) :

Round 1 :

8sc into magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8inc (16)

Round 3-4 :

16sc (16)

Round 5 :

(6sc, dec)*2 (14)

Round 6-7 :

14sc (14)

Round 8 :

(5sc, dec)*2 (12)

Round 9-12 :

12sc (12)

Info :

Stuff the arms. Flatten and fold the top of the arm, join and sc together the 2 opposing stitches (6sc). Leave a long tail for sewing.

— Ears (2) :

Round 1 :

4sc into magic ring (4)

Round 2 :

4inc (8)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc)*4 (12)

Round 4 :

2sc, inc, 2sc, inc, (2sc, inc)*2 (16)

Round 5 :

3sc, inc, 2sc, sc, inc, (3sc, inc)*2 (20)

Round 6 :

4sc, inc, 2sc, 2sc, inc, (4sc, inc)*2 (24)

Round 7 :

5sc, inc, 2sc, 3sc, inc, (5sc, inc)*2 (28)

Round 8 :

28sc (28)

Infos :

Stuff the ears. Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing.

— Legs (2) :

Round 1 :

6sc into magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6inc (12)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc)*6 (18)

Round 4 :

(2sc, inc)*6 (24)

Round 5 :

(3sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 6-8 :

30sc (30)

Round 9 :

(3sc, dec)*6 (24)

Infos :

Stuff the legs. Leave a long tail for sewing.

— Spots :

Round 1 :

Ch5, start in the 2nd chain from hook: 3sc, 3sc-inc, 2sc, inc, slst (10)

Round 2 :

Ch, Inc, 2sc, 3inc, 2sc, 2inc, slst (16)

Info :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing.

— Collar :

Round 1 :

Make a chain of 62ch. Start in the 7nd chain from hook 55sc (55)

Infos :

Fasten off, weave in the yarn end. Sew the button and the bell through the collar. Wear collar for the cat.

— Tail :

Round 1 :

6sc into magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6inc (12)

Round 3-9 :

12sc (12)

Infos :

Don't stuff the tail. Flatten and fold the top of the tail, join and sc together the 2 opposing stitches (6sc). Leave a long tail for sewing. Sew tail to body on round 6.

— Pillow :

Round 1 :

Make a chain of 40ch. Start in the 3rd chain from hook 38dc, turn (38)

Round 2-13 :

Ch2, 38dc, turn (38)

Round 14 :

Ch2, 38dc (38)

Infos :

Fasten off, leave a long tail about 40cm for sewing. Stuff some fiberfill in the pillow.

Tassels (4) :

Cut 20 equal yarns about 10cm. Take 5 yarns and thread needle. Thread the needle through one corner of the pillow. Knot. Separate the yarns into small yarns. Repeat the same steps for the remaining 3 corners.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the head securely to the body using the long tail left from fastening off the head piece
  • Attach the ears to the head between rounds 4-11, positioning them symmetrically on each side for balanced appearance
  • Sew the decorative spots to the body in desired locations to create the signature lucky cat coloring pattern
  • Attach legs to body between rounds 6-13, spacing them 10 stitches apart for proper sitting position and stability
  • Sew the arms to the sides of the body at appropriate height for natural proportions
  • Use pink yarn to embroider decorative lines on the bottom of the legs to create paw pad details
  • Place the completed lucky cat on the finished red pillow for traditional display presentation

Important Notes

  • 💡Use invisible decrease technique throughout the entire project to achieve professional seamless results without visible gaps
  • 💡Separate yarn strands into smaller threads when embroidering facial features for delicate refined details on whiskers mouth and nose
  • 💡Insert safety eyes at the exact position specified between rounds 16-17 with proper spacing before closing the head opening
  • 💡Stuff all pieces firmly but not overly tight to maintain proper shape and prevent distortion of the finished amigurumi
  • 💡Use stitch markers to track color changes especially when working with honey and black yarn for spotted ears
  • 💡Pin all body parts in place before final sewing to ensure correct positioning and balanced appearance of the lucky cat
  • 💡When creating pillow tassels keep yarn lengths equal and separate strands carefully for uniform fluffy appearance on all corners

This charming Lucky Cat amigurumi pattern brings the traditional Japanese Maneki-neko symbol of good fortune into your home with handmade warmth and personality. The detailed instructions guide you through creating the signature spotted ears, sweet facial features, and authentic accessories including the green collar with bell and beautiful red pillow with tassels. Perfect for display on your desk or as a meaningful gift, this 4-inch lucky cat combines cultural tradition with adorable amigurumi craftsmanship that will bring smiles and positive energy wherever it sits. 🐱✨ Happy crocheting! 🧶

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will my finished lucky cat be?

The finished lucky cat measures approximately 4 inches tall when made with Yarnart Jeans yarn and a 2.3mm hook as specified in the pattern.

Can I use different yarn colors for the lucky cat?

Absolutely! While the pattern uses traditional white with honey and black spots, you can customize your lucky cat with any color combination you prefer to match your decor or personal style.

Do I need to make the pillow accessory?

The pillow is optional but highly recommended as it completes the traditional lucky cat display and provides a beautiful base. You can display the cat without it if you prefer a simpler project.

What is the invisible decrease technique mentioned?

Invisible decrease is a technique that creates seamless decreases by inserting your hook through the front loops only of two stitches, then completing the decrease. This prevents visible gaps and holes for professional results.

Can I make the arms and legs posable?

The pattern creates soft stuffed limbs, but you can make them more posable by inserting pipe cleaners or wire before stuffing, just be cautious if making this for young children.

How do I attach the collar properly?

After crocheting the collar strip, sew the wooden button and bell to it first, then wrap it around the cat's neck and secure the ends together for a finished look.