Cat Orange is a soft, plump, slightly whimsical knitted toy with an expressive face, long tail, and round body that curls up like a real cat resting in the sun. The construction is seamless: the main body is knitted in the round from the back leg forward to the head, using short rows to shape the curves of the back, chest, and tail.
This pattern blends technical shaping with creative assembly — each curve, leg, and ear formed through careful increases, decreases, and short rows. It’s a rewarding knit that results in a realistic, cuddly toy cat.
Finished size: Height 13 cm (to ear tips), Width 30 cm
Materials
- Yarn: ~200 g total of worsted-weight or light DK yarn, composed of 70% wool, 30% acrylic
- Main color: orange
- Contrast: white
- Small amounts of black and pink for embroidery (eyes, nose, mouth, paw pads)
- Needles: Set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) size 2.75 mm
- Notions:
- Tapestry needle
- Stuffing (polyfill or wool)
- Markers
- Sturdy thread or fine wire for whiskers
Disclaimer: This is a translation from a Russian knitting pattern, all efforts have been made for accuracy but mistakes can happen.
Abbreviations
k – knit
p – purl
inc – increase (knit into front and back of stitch)
k2tog – knit 2 together
ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
st(s) – stitch(es)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
O+P – wrap next stitch and turn (used for short rows)
Notes
- Work in two strands held together throughout: one orange and one white.
- Stuff the toy gradually as you go — firmly but not tightly.
- The main body is worked in one continuous piece in the round, beginning at the right hind leg and ending at the face.
- Many shaping elements are created with short rows.
INSTRUCTIONS
Hind Right Leg
With white yarn, cast on 16 sts (8 sts on each of 2 DPNs).
Join to work in the round.
1st rnd: knit.
2nd rnd: (k1, inc, k6, inc, k1) × 2 = 20 sts.
Rnds 3–22: knit.
Change to main yarn (orange + white held together).
Rnds 23–32: knit.
Continue increasing:
- 33rd rnd: k1, inc, k18, inc, k1 = 22 sts
- 34–35: knit
- 36th rnd: k1, inc, k20, inc, k1 = 24 sts
- 37–38: knit
- 39th rnd: k1, inc, k22, inc, k1 = 26 sts
- 40–41: knit
- 42nd rnd: k1, inc, k24, inc, k1 = 28 sts
- 43–44: knit
- 45th rnd: k1, inc, k26, inc, k1 = 30 sts
- 46–47: knit
- 48th rnd: k1, inc, k10, inc, k8, inc, k10, inc, k1 = 34 sts
- 49–50: knit
- 51st rnd: k1, inc, k11, inc, k10, inc, k11, inc, k1 = 38 sts
- 52–53: knit
- 54th rnd: k1, inc, k12, inc, k12, inc, k12, inc, k1 = 42 sts
- 55–56: knit
- 57th rnd: k1, inc, k13, inc, k14, inc, k13, inc, k1 = 46 sts
- 58–59: knit
- 60th rnd: k15, inc, k16, inc, k15 = 48 sts
- 61–62: knit
- 63rd rnd: k1, inc, k14, inc, k18, inc, k14, inc, k1 = 52 sts
- 64–65: knit
- 66th rnd: k16, inc, k20, inc, k16 = 54 sts
- 67–68: knit
- 69th rnd: k1, inc, k28, (inc, k3) × 8 = 64 sts
- 70–71: knit
- 72nd rnd: k1, inc, k30, (inc, k4) × 8 = 74 sts
- 73rd rnd: knit
Body and Short Rows
Now begin the main shaping with short rows to create the body curve.
Work short rows as described (wrap and turn).
Rows 74–81 form the curled midsection; each sequence of wrap-and-turns increases the spiral curve. Continue following the pattern of alternating knit and purl short rows while maintaining the total stitch count (approx. 86 sts).
At Row 81, mark this point as the new start of round.
Chest and Front
Continue in short rows as indicated (Rows 83–137), alternating increases and decreases to narrow the body toward the head.
Throughout this section:
- Maintain even curvature with wrap-and-turns.
- Work symmetrical decreases across the center front to shape the chest and muzzle area.
- By Row 137, you will have 26 sts remaining.
Distribute the 26 sts onto 2 needles (13 sts each) and graft (Kitchener stitch) to close the seam.
Hind Left Leg
With white yarn, cast on 16 sts (8 + 8 on 2 needles).
Work as for right leg, Rows 1–68.
Bind off.
Front Legs (Make 2)
With white yarn, cast on 16 sts.
Work as for hind leg, Rows 1–32.
Then knit 10 rows (to Row 42).
Shape bend with short rows:
Row 43: k13, O+P, p6, O+P, k7, O+P, p8, O+P, k9, O+P, p10, O+P, knit to end.
Continue shaping as established.
Increase for paw rounding:
44th row: k1, inc, k18, inc, k1 = 22 sts.
45–46: knit.
47th row: k1, inc, k20, inc, k1 = 24 sts.
48–49: knit.
Bind off.
Ears (Make 2)
Ears are slightly asymmetrical; the outer edge is longer.
Left ear:
Cast on 18 sts.
1st row: k8, inc, k2, inc, k8.
2nd row and all even rows: purl.
Then decrease as follows:
3rd row: k1, ssk, k17 (right ear: k17, k2tog, k1).
5th row: k1, ssk, k13, k2tog, k1.
7th row: k1, ssk, k14 (right ear reverse).
9th row: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1.
11th row: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1.
13th row: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1.
15th row: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1.
17th row: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1.
19th row: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining 4 sts, pull tight.
Tail
With white yarn, cast on 6 sts.
Distribute on 2 needles, join in the round.
1st rnd: (k1, inc) × 6 = 12 sts.
2nd, 4th–23rd rnds: knit.
3rd rnd: (k1, inc) × 12 = 24 sts.
Switch to main yarn.
Work in stockinette in the round until the tail measures 22 cm.
Shape tail curl using short rows (wrap and turn).
Work sequences of knit/purl short rows with periodic increases as per the original pattern until 27 sts remain.
Bind off.
Finishing
Stuff all parts gently but evenly.
Sew on legs and tail as shown in the reference photo.
Attach ears.
With black and pink yarn, embroider eyes, nose, mouth, and paw lines.
Add whiskers using thick thread or fine wire.
Adjust shape, then steam lightly or wet-block into final form.
