I designed this cat cave so the cat would have a lovely place to rest, although for some reason she seems a bit reluctant to go in …
This pattern uses a 15 mm hook and VERY LARGE wool. Seriously. It was like crocheting with rope. It is called Super-Duper. It comes in balls of 26 metres. Unfortunately I think it is being discontinued by Lincraft. It is real wool so nice and comfy for the kitty 🙂
This pattern is written in American crochet notation. The finished cat cave is approximately 37 cm across.
Body
With grey wool
Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches) (7 grey, 3 white, 8 grey)
Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches) (8 grey, 6 white, 10 grey)
Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches) (9 grey, 9 white, 12 grey)
Round 6: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (36 stitches) (9 grey, 13 white, 14 grey)
Round 7: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (42 stitches) (9 grey, 17 white, 16 grey)
Round 8: sc in the first six stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (48 stitches) (10 grey, 19 white, 19 grey)
Rounds 9 – 14: sc in each stitch (48 stitches) (10 grey, 19 white, 19 grey)
Round 15: sc in the first six stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (42 stitches) (10 grey, 15 white, 17 grey)
Round 16: sc in the first five stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (36 stitches) (10 grey, 11 white, 15 grey)
Round 17: sc in the first four stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (30 stitches) (10 grey, 7 white, 13 grey)
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Side fins (make two)
With grey wool
Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: sc around (6 stitches) (1 grey, 3 white, 2 grey)
Round 3: increase around (12 stitches) (2 grey, 6 white, 4 grey)
Round 4: sc around (12 stitches) (2 grey, 6 white, 4 grey)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing
Top fin
With grey wool
Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: sc around (6 stitches)
Round 3: increase around (12 stitches)
Round 4: sc around (12 stitches)
Round 5: sc in the first two stitches, increase – repeat (16 stitches)
Teeth (make seven)
With white wool
Attach the wool to the mouth, sc 3, turn, decrease the 3 sc together, fasten off, weave in ends
Work three on the bottom and 4 on the top.
Eyes (make two)
With 8 ply wool and a 3.5 mm hook
With black wool
Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)
With white wool
Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)
Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Tail fin
Make two pointy halves of the tail
With grey wool
Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Rounds 2 – 3: sc around (6 stitches)
Round 4: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch (9 stitches)
Round 5: sc around (9 stitches)
Put the two tail pieces side by side and then decrease around (9 stitches)
Then decrease around again (4 stitches – 4 decreases, forget about the 9th stitch)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Sew the top fin, side fins, tail fin and eyes onto the body.