Beginner Flat Knit Cat Knitting Pattern
Beginner Flat Knit Cat Knitting Pattern- knit on straight needles, this cute plush cat knitting pattern is ideal for beginners.
This pattern uses basic knit and purl stitches, as well as simple increases and decreases to create the shape of the cat. It is knit in the round using double-pointed needles, and the ears and tail are added as separate pieces. This knit cat is made using #4 worsted weight yarn and is approximately 10 inches tall when finished.
This pattern is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with the basics of knitting and are ready to try a small project with some shaping.
What does Flat Knit mean?
Flat knitting, also known as “back-and-forth” knitting, refers to a method of knitting in which the work is done on two knitting needles and the knitting is done in rows back and forth on the needles. When working in this way, you alternate knitting one row and then purling the next.
This creates a fabric that is one side is smooth, the right side, and the other is bumpy, the wrong side. It’s the most common way to knit clothing such as sweaters, scarfs, blankets, and also some toys and bags.
Flat knitting is in contrast to circular knitting, in which the work is done on circular needles or double-pointed needles and the knitting is worked in the round to create a seamless fabric.
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Beginner Flat Knit Cat Knitting Pattern
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Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Rust
Needles: Size US 7 single point knitting needles
Also needed: fiber fill, yarn needle, safety eyes or button eyes
Gauge: not necessary for this project
Size: approximately 10 inches tall
Pattern instructions:
Beginning at top of head, cast on 20 sts.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K in front and back of each st across (40 sts)
Rows 4-20: Beginning with P row, work even in St st.
Row 21: [K1, K2tog] 13 times, K1 (27 sts)
Rows 22-36: Beginning with P row, work even in St st.
Row 37: K12, [K in front and back of next st, K1] twice, K11 (29 sts)
Rows 38, 40, 42: Purl.
Row 39: K13, [K in front and back of next st, K1] twice, K12 (31 sts)
Row 41: K14, [K in front and back of next st, K1] twice, K13 (33 sts)
Row 43: K15, [K in front and back of next st, K1] twice, K14 (35 sts)
Rows 44-46: Beginning with P row, work even in St st.
Row 47: K15, [K2tog, K1] twice, K14 (33 sts)
Row 48: P14, [P2tog, P1] twice, P13 (31 sts)
Row 49: K13, [K2tog, K1] twice, K12 (29 sts)
Row 50: P12, [P2tog, P1] twice, P11 (27 sts)
Rows 51-54: Work even in St st. Bind off.
Sew center back seam. With seam at center, sew across top of head.
Insert eyes. Embroider on the nose or sew on a pink triangle of felt. Stuff from bottom, then sew seam across bottom like top.
To make the legs, sew with back stitch through the front and back from center bottom of the cat up to 2 inches.
Pinch each side of top of head to form ear. Sew diagonally across through both sides of the knit to make the ear.
For the tail:
Cast on 6 sts.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K in front and back of each st across (12 sts)
Beginning with P row, work even in stockinette Stich until the piece measures 5 inches from the cast on edge. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the end of the yarn through the stitches on the needle to remove. Pull to tighten and sew the seam.
Stuff the tail and sew to the back of the cat above the legs.
For the arms:
Cast on 6 sts.
Row 1: (right side) Knit
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K in front and back of each st across (12 sts)
Beginning with P row, work even in stockinette Stich until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast on edge. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the end of the yarn through the stitches on the needle to remove. Pull to tighten and sew the seam.
Sew to the sides of the cat.
Looking for more plush animal knitting patterns like this Beginner Flat Knit Cat Knitting Pattern?
Easy Plush Bear Knitting Pattern
Easy Flat Knit Plush Octopus Knitting Pattern
Easy Plush Owl Knitting Pattern
Easy Plush Cat Knitting Pattern
Flat Knit Plush Penguin Knitting Pattern
I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making this Beginner Flat Knit Cat Knitting Pattern or any of my other free knitting patterns, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, just tag me @ginamicheleblog. Happy knitting!
