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Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern
3.9★ Rating
6-7 Hours Time Needed
2.1K Made This
✂️

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.

🐾

Pocket Pal

A mini friend to carry anywhere, providing comfort and companionship in a perfectly portable size.

About This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

This Lucky Cat pattern is inspired by the traditional Japanese Maneki-neko figurines that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The pattern includes detailed instructions for creating the cat's body, head with embroidered features, distinctive color spots, and adorable accessories including a decorative collar with bell and a miniature pillow complete with handmade tassels. The finished doll stands approximately 4 inches tall, making it perfect for display on desks, shelves, or as a thoughtful handmade gift.

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

Working with multiple colors and small detail pieces, this pattern teaches valuable amigurumi techniques like invisible decreases, back loop only stitches, and precise color placement for an authentic lucky cat appearance.

Why You'll Love This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I'm absolutely enchanted by how this pattern captures the spirit of traditional Maneki-neko cats while being perfectly sized for modern spaces! I love the attention to detail, from the carefully positioned color spots that give each cat its unique personality, to the tiny collar with an actual bell that adds authentic charm. The embroidered facial features let you customize the expression, and I find the process of creating the miniature pillow with its delicate tassels surprisingly meditative and rewarding. What really makes my heart happy is knowing this little guardian of good fortune will bring joy and positive energy wherever it's displayed, whether on a workspace for prosperity or gifted to someone special who needs a little luck in their life.

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 absolutely love customizing this lucky cat pattern to create unique personalities and color combinations! While the traditional calico coloring with honey, black, and white spots is classic and beautiful, I've experimented with so many fun variations that each tell their own story.

For a more modern aesthetic, try creating a completely white lucky cat with just subtle pink accents for the nose and belly—it has such an elegant, minimalist vibe that looks stunning on contemporary shelves. Or go bold with a black cat featuring gold spots instead of honey, which feels sophisticated and lucky in a different way. I've even made versions using pastel rainbow colors for the spots, perfect for adding whimsy to a child's room or as a cheerful gift.

The collar offers another wonderful opportunity for creativity. Instead of honey yellow, I've used turquoise, purple, or even metallic gold yarn to match different decor styles. You could also add small embroidered patterns or symbols to the collar for extra personalization. Some of my favorites include tiny flowers, stars, or even the recipient's initial.

For the pillow, while red is traditional and symbolizes good fortune in Japanese culture, I've experimented with coordinating or contrasting colors. A navy pillow with white tassels looks incredibly chic, while a soft pink pillow with cream tassels creates a gentle, nursery-friendly version. You could even make the pillow in a pattern or stripe by changing colors every few rows.

Don't forget about the facial expressions! The embroidered features let you create different moods—sleepy eyes for a peaceful energy, wide-open eyes for an alert guardian, or even winking for a playful touch.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not using invisible decreases results in visible bumps and an uneven surface texture, so practice this technique before starting the project ✗ Forgetting to mark rounds 15 in the head before adding facial features leads to misaligned eyes and asymmetrical face placement ✗ Stuffing too much or too little affects the cat's posture and overall shape, so add filling gradually and check proportions frequently ✗ Sewing color spots without pinning first can result in uneven placement, always pin all pieces and check from multiple angles before securing ✗ Not separating yarn into thinner strands for facial embroidery creates bulky, less detailed features that look disproportionate on the small face

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Bring the charm of Japanese tradition into your home with this adorable Lucky Cat (Maneki-neko) amigurumi pattern! This delightful 4-inch crochet cat features the classic raised paw gesture symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Complete with a decorative collar, bell, and a cozy pillow with tassels, this pattern captures every authentic detail. The colorful spots and sweet embroidered face make this lucky cat an irresistible gift or home decor piece. Perfect for cat lovers and anyone who appreciates Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

Intermediate 6-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) - White color (01)
  • 02
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) - Black color (53)
  • 03
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) - Red color (51)
  • 04
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) - Pink color (36)
  • 05
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) - Honey color (84)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.3mm
  • 02
    One bell 12mm
  • 03
    One wooden button 10mm
  • 04
    Fiberfill for stuffing
  • 05
    Yarn needle
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— HEAD (use white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

Round 1 :

8sc into magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8inc (16)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc)*8 (24)

Round 4 :

(2sc, inc)*8 (32)

Round 5 :

(3sc, inc)*8 (40)

Round 6 :

(4sc, inc)*8 (48)

Round 7 :

(5sc, inc)*8 (56)

Round 8 :

56sc (56)

Round 9 :

(6sc, inc)*8 (64)

Round 10-14 :

64sc (64)

Round 15 :

26sc, mark the point, 12sc, mark the point, 26sc (64)

Round 16 :

64sc (64)

Round 17 :

9sc, (sc, inc)*8, 14sc, (sc, inc)*8, 9sc (80)

Round 18-22 :

80sc (80)

Round 23 :

(8sc, dec)*8 (72)

Round 24 :

(7sc, dec)*8 (64)

Round 25 :

(6sc, dec)*8 (56)

Round 26 :

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

Infos :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff the head. Tip: separate the yarn into small yarns to have better result. Use black yarn to sew eyes on round 15, sew mouth between round 17-19 and sew whiskers between round 18-21. Use pink yarn to sew nose.

— BODY (use white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

Starting Chain :

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

Round 1 :

9sc, 3sc into the last stitch, work on along 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)

Finishing :

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

— ARMS (make 2, use white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

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)

Finishing :

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 (make 2, red and white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

Info :

Use white yarn to make MAGIC RING. Black word: white yarn. Red word: red yarn

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 :

9sc, 5sc, 14sc (28)

Finishing :

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

— LEGS (make 2, use white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

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)

Finishing :

Stuff the legs. Leave a long tail for sewing

— BELLY (use pink yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

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)

Finishing :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing

— HAND SPOTS (make 2, honey and black yarn, work in round) :

Round 1 :

Use black yarn: 6sc into magic ring, slst (6)

Round 2 :

Change to honey yarn ch, 6inc, slst (12)

Finishing :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing

— BODY SPOTS (make 2, honey and black yarn, work in round) :

Round 1 :

Use black yarn: 6sc into magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

Ch, 6inc, slst (12)

Round 3 :

Change to honey yarn ch, (sc, inc)*6, slst (18)

Finishing :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing

— HEAD SPOT (honey and black yarn, work in round) :

Round 1 :

Use black yarn: 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)

Round 3 :

Change to honey yarn ch, sc, inc, 2sc, (sc, inc)*3, 2sc, (sc, inc)*2, slst (22)

Round 4 :

Ch, 2sc, inc, 2sc, (2sc, inc)*3, 2sc, (2sc, inc)*2, slst (28)

Finishing :

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing

— COLLAR (use honey yarn) :

Round 1 :

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

Finishing :

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

— TAIL (use white yarn, work in continuous spiral) :

Round 1 :

6sc into magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6inc (12)

Round 3-9 :

12sc (12)

Finishing :

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 (use red yarn) :

Row 1 :

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

Row 2-13 :

Ch2, 38dc, turn (38)

Row 14 :

Ch2, 38dc (38)

Tassels (make 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

Finishing :

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

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew head to body, ensuring the head sits securely and is properly centered on the body opening.
  • Sew ears to head between rounds 4-11, positioning them symmetrically on either side of the head.
  • Sew head spot to the head between rounds 1-9, placing it slightly off-center for authentic lucky cat appearance.
  • Sew legs to body between rounds 6-13, spacing them 10 stitches apart for balanced standing position.
  • Sew body spots to the body between rounds 14-20, positioning them attractively on the cat's sides.
  • Sew belly to body between rounds 10-19, centering it on the front of the body.
  • Sew arms to body, with one arm raised in the traditional lucky cat gesture and hand spots attached to arms.
  • Use pink yarn to sew decorative lines in legs to create toe definition and add finishing detail.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use invisible decrease technique throughout the pattern for the smoothest, most professional-looking surface finish
  • 💡Mark round 15 on the head carefully before embroidering facial features to ensure symmetrical eye and mouth placement
  • 💡Separate yarn into thinner strands when embroidering the face for more delicate, precise facial features
  • 💡Stuff body parts gradually and check the shape frequently to maintain proper proportions and avoid overstuffing
  • 💡Pin all colored spots in place before sewing and view from multiple angles to ensure attractive placement
  • 💡When creating the pillow tassels, ensure all yarn pieces are cut to equal length for uniform appearance
  • 💡The collar should be worn loosely around the cat's neck with the bell and button positioned at the front

This Lucky Cat pattern brings centuries of Japanese tradition and symbolism into your crafting journey! The Maneki-neko is more than just a cute decoration—it's a beloved symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and positive energy. With its raised paw beckoning good luck and its sweet expression radiating charm, this 4-inch companion makes a meaningful gift or personal treasure. Every detail, from the colorful spots to the tiny pillow, has been thoughtfully designed to capture the authentic spirit of these beloved lucky charms. 🐱✨ Happy crocheting and may good fortune follow! 🍀💕

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What does the raised paw symbolize on a lucky cat?

The raised paw is the signature gesture of Maneki-neko (beckoning cat). Traditionally, a raised right paw brings wealth and good fortune, while a raised left paw attracts customers and visitors. You can position either arm raised depending on your preference!

Can I use different yarn than Yarnart Jeans?

Yes! Any worsted weight or sport weight yarn will work. However, using a similar weight yarn (approximately 160m/50gr) with a 2.3mm hook will help you achieve the 4-inch finished size specified in the pattern.

What are invisible decreases and why are they important?

Invisible decreases create smoother, less visible decreases by inserting your hook through the front loops only before completing the decrease. This technique is crucial for amigurumi to avoid bumpy surfaces and achieve a professional finish on this lucky cat.

How do I position the colored spots correctly?

The pattern provides round numbers for placement guidance. Pin all spots in place first and check from multiple angles before sewing. Traditional Maneki-neko cats have unique spot patterns, so there's creative freedom in exact placement!

Is the pillow necessary or optional?

The pillow is optional but adds authentic detail and gives your lucky cat a proper place to sit! It's also a great way to practice making tassels and working in rows with double crochet stitches.

How do I make the tassels look neat and even?

Cut all 20 yarn pieces to exactly 10cm before starting. Group them into sets of 5, and after knotting through the pillow corner, carefully separate each strand to create full, fluffy tassels. Trim any uneven ends at the end.

Can I make the cat larger?

Yes! Use a thicker yarn with an appropriately larger hook. Keep in mind you'll need to adjust the quantities of all materials, including the bell and button sizes, to maintain proper proportions for a larger lucky cat.