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Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern
4.4★ Rating
5-7 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 amigurumi pattern captures the essence of the traditional Japanese Maneki-neko, a symbol of good luck and prosperity. With its raised paw, sweet expression, and vibrant details including colorful spots and a decorative collar with bell, this pattern brings cultural charm to your crochet collection. The cat comes complete with its own red pillow featuring beautiful tassels, making it a wonderful decorative piece or meaningful gift.

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

Standing at approximately 4 inches tall, this petite lucky cat features intricate color work with white, black, honey, pink, green, and red yarn. The pattern includes detailed facial features, distinctive ear markings, and authentic accessories that honor the traditional Maneki-neko design.

Why You'll Love This Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this Lucky Cat pattern because it combines cultural significance with adorable craftsmanship in one delightful project. The color changes keep the work interesting, and watching the traditional Maneki-neko come to life stitch by stitch is incredibly rewarding. I appreciate how this pattern allows me to create a meaningful symbol of good fortune that can brighten someone's day or enhance my own space. The included pillow with tassels adds an extra special touch that makes this more than just another amigurumi—it becomes a complete decorative piece that showcases your crochet skills beautifully.

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 customizing this Lucky Cat pattern to create my own unique versions that reflect different styles and personalities. One of my favorite variations is changing the color scheme entirely—instead of the traditional white with honey and black spots, I've made versions in solid grey with pink accents for a modern twist, or even in calico patterns using orange, black, and white for a more realistic cat appearance.

The collar offers wonderful opportunities for creativity too. While the pattern calls for green, I've experimented with red for prosperity, gold for wealth, or even seasonal colors like orange and black for Halloween or red and green for Christmas. Adding small charms or different styles of bells to the collar gives each cat its own character.

For the pillow, I sometimes skip the traditional red and create coordinating colors that match my home decor. Navy blue with white tassels gives a nautical feel, while soft pastels create a nursery-friendly version. I've also experimented with different tassel styles—some thicker and fluffier, others more delicate and refined.

The facial expression can be customized by adjusting where you embroider the mouth and how you position the whiskers. A slightly curved smile creates a cheerful cat, while a simple straight line gives a more serene, meditative expression. The safety eye placement and size also dramatically affect the personality—larger eyes create a cuter, more kawaii appearance.

I sometimes add extra accessories like a tiny crocheted coin, fish, or flower for the cat to hold in its raised paw, which adds even more charm and symbolism to the finished piece.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to count stitches during color changes in the head can throw off the pattern placement for the distinctive honey and black markings ✗ Not stuffing the head firmly enough before closing causes the face to lose its round shape and the safety eyes to appear sunken ✗ Placing the ears too far apart or at incorrect angles makes the cat lose its authentic Lucky Cat appearance and facial balance ✗ Skipping the invisible decrease technique results in visible holes and gaps that detract from the smooth, professional finish of the piece

Lucky Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Create your own adorable Lucky Cat (Maneki-neko) with this charming amigurumi pattern that brings good fortune and joy to any space. This delightful Japanese-inspired cat sits peacefully on a decorative pillow, complete with a cheerful collar, bell, and traditional colorful markings. Perfect for gifting or adding a touch of cultural charm to your home, this lucky feline will become a treasured handmade companion that spreads positivity and smiles wherever it rests.

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 (160m/50gr) in Black (53)
  • 03
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) in Red (51)
  • 04
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) in Pink (36)
  • 05
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) in Green (82)
  • 06
    Yarnart Jeans yarn (160m/50gr) in Honey (84)
  • 07
    Alternative: Cotton or acrylic yarn in white, black, red, pink, green, and honey/tan colors

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.3mm
  • 02
    Safety eyes 7mm (ocean blue)
  • 03
    Bell 12mm
  • 04
    Wooden button 10mm
  • 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. 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 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)

Infos :

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

— Arms :

Info :

Make 2 pieces

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)

Infos :

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 :

Info :

Make 2 pieces (honey, light pink and black 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 :

28sc (28)

Infos :

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

— Legs :

Info :

Make 2 pieces

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 :

Info :

Make 2 pieces (honey and black yarn)

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 7th 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 :

Info :

Use red yarn

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. Make 4 tassels: 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 for remaining 3 corners.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew head securely to body, ensuring proper alignment and stuffing both parts firmly before joining
  • Attach ears to head between rounds 4-11, positioning them symmetrically for authentic Lucky Cat appearance
  • Sew colorful spots (honey and black) to the body in desired positions for traditional markings
  • Attach legs to body between rounds 6-13, spacing them 10 stitches apart for proper balance
  • Sew arms to the sides of the body at appropriate height, ensuring one paw can be positioned in raised greeting
  • Use pink yarn to embroider decorative lines on the bottom of the legs to create paw pad details
  • Place the finished Lucky Cat on its red tasseled pillow for display

Important Notes

  • 💡Use invisible decrease technique throughout for professional finish without visible gaps or holes
  • 💡Insert safety eyes between rounds 16-17 with exactly 7 stitches apart before stuffing the head
  • 💡Pay close attention to color changes in the head for proper placement of honey and black markings
  • 💡Stuff all parts firmly but not too tightly to maintain proper shape and prevent distortion
  • 💡Use stitch markers to track rounds during color work sections to avoid losing your place
  • 💡The collar should be adjustable - don't sew it closed so you can easily place it on the cat

This charming Lucky Cat pattern brings the beloved Japanese Maneki-neko tradition into your handmade collection with authentic details and beautiful color work. From the distinctive tri-colored ears to the festive red pillow with handmade tassels, every element captures the spirit of good fortune and prosperity. The pattern combines accessible techniques with rewarding details, making it perfect for creating meaningful gifts or adding cultural charm to your home decor. 🧶 Happy crocheting and may your Lucky Cat bring you endless good fortune! 🐱✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but your finished Lucky Cat will be larger or smaller than the 4-inch size. Make sure to adjust your hook size accordingly and use safety eyes proportional to your finished size.

What does the color coding in the head instructions mean?

The color-coded words indicate which yarn color to use for specific stitches: black words mean black yarn, honey words mean honey/tan yarn, and blue words mean white yarn. This creates the distinctive markings on the Lucky Cat's face.

Do I need to make the pillow, or can I display the cat alone?

The pillow is optional but adds to the traditional Lucky Cat presentation. You can absolutely display your cat without it, or you could create a different base or cushion if you prefer.

How do I make the tassels for the pillow?

Cut 20 pieces of red yarn about 10cm long. Take 5 strands, thread them through a corner of the pillow, fold them in half, and knot securely. Separate the yarn into smaller strands for a fuller tassel effect. Repeat for all four corners.

Can I substitute the safety eyes with embroidered eyes?

Absolutely! If you're making this for a young child or prefer an all-yarn finish, you can embroider the eyes using black yarn instead of using safety eyes.

Which arm should be raised for the traditional Lucky Cat pose?

Traditionally, the left paw raised attracts customers and visitors, while the right paw raised attracts wealth and good fortune. You can position either arm in the raised greeting pose based on your preference.