Free Crochet Animal Plush Pattern ( Cat & Dog )

Create tiny and adorable crochet puppy and kitten toys with this fun mini animal project. Both animals use the same round body pattern, but different ears and tails give each one its own look. Soft velvet yarn makes them fluffy and squishy to hold. Small safety eyes, bows, and cute details bring the animals to life. These mini pets are quick to make and perfect for keychains, gifts, or small handmade collections.

Crochet Animal Plush Pattern For Beginner

The designer of this pattern is @mongleinae. She makes themed crochet pouches and little decorations that are always elegant and gift-ready. In one word, she is among the most CREATIVE crochet designers whose work I have covered so far. Just take a look at her octopus pouch!

Be sure to subscribe to her channel for more of creative crochet patterns and to support her

Step by Step Pattern:

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Velvet yarn (approx. 20g)

• Hook: 4.0mm (Size 7/0)

• Eyes: 9mm oval safety eyes

• Other: Stuffing, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn for ribbon.

Abbreviation List

• MR: Magic Ring

• Ch: Chain

• Sc: Single crochet

• Inc: Increase (two sc in one stitch)

• Dec: Decrease (sc two stitches together)

• Sl st: Slip stitch

• Hdc: Half double crochet

• Dc: Double crochet

• St(s): Stitch(es)

• Bobble: Bobble stitch (used for arms and legs)

1. Common Body & Head Pattern

The body and head are worked as one continuous piece.

Body

• Round 1: MR, 8 sc. (8 sts)

• Round 2: 8 inc. (16 sts)

• Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 8. (24 sts)

• Round 4 (Legs & Tail): 2 sc, 1 bobble (leg), 7 sc, 1 bobble (leg), 6 sc, 3 sc joining the tail, 4 sc.

• Rounds 5-6: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)

• Round 7 (Arms): 1 sc, 1 bobble (arm), 9 sc, 1 bobble (arm), 12 sc.

• Round 8: Sl st in each st around loosely. (24 sts)

Head

• Round 1: Working into the sl sts of Round 8, (1 sc, 1 inc) x 12. (36 sts)

• Round 2: (8 sc, 1 inc) x 4. (40 sts)

• Rounds 3-7: Sc in each st around. (40 sts)

• Note: Install the nose and eyes between Rounds 4 and 5 of the head now.

• Round 8: (3 sc, 1 dec) x 8. (32 sts)

• Round 9: (2 sc, 1 dec) x 8. (24 sts)

• Round 10: (1 sc, 1 dec) x 8. (16 sts) Stuff the head firmly.

• Round 11: 8 dec. (8 sts)

• Fasten off and sew the hole shut.

2. Animal Specific Parts

Tail Variations

• Cat Tail:

  • Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, 6 sc.

  • Rounds 2-6: 6 sc around.

• Dog Tail:

  • Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc.

  • Round 2: 4 inc. (8 sts)

  • Round 3: 8 sc.

  • Round 4: (2 sc, 1 dec) x 2. (6 sts)

Ear Variations

• Dog Ears (Make 2):

  1. MR, 6 sc.

  2. 6 inc. (12 sts)

  3. (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6. (18 sts)

  4. 18 sc.

  5. (4 sc, 1 dec) x 3.

  6. (3 sc, 1 dec) x 3.

  7. (2 sc, 1 dec) x 3. Sew ears to the sides of the head.

• Cat Ears:

  • These are crocheted directly onto the head. Attach yarn to the head: Ch 1, hdc, dc, Ch 1, dc, hdc, and sl st back into the head to form a triangle.

3. Finishing Touches

• Face: Embroider whiskers for the cat or pink blush for the dog using scrap yarn.

• Accessory: Tie a ribbon around the neck and add a small pendant if desired.

Video Tutorial: