Whether you’re a cat lover, a vintage enthusiast, or just looking to make a quirky statement, this crochet sweater bursting with kittens is purr-fectly charming and surprisingly simple to customize.
Project Summary:
This is a cozy drop-shoulder vintage-style sweater with crocheted kitten motifs on the front and/or sleeves. It’s made with soft, lightweight yarn and features classic ribbed cuffs and hem. You can make it with one big kitten panel or several smaller cat faces. Add bows, buttons, or embroidery to make each kitty unique!
🧵 Materials:
- Yarn:
- Main body: Light worsted or DK weight cotton/acrylic blend (approx. 400–800g depending on size)
- Contrasting colors: Small amounts of white, pink, gray, black, etc. for kittens
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Optional: Buttons, ribbon bows, beads for cat eyes/noses
Sweater Construction:
The sweater is made up of four rectangles:
- Front panel
- Back panel
- Two sleeves
You’ll crochet the kitten appliqués separately and sew them on later.
Stitches Used:
- CH – Chain
- SC – Single Crochet
- HDC – Half Double Crochet
- DC – Double Crochet
- SL ST – Slip Stitch
- Ribbing – SC in back loops only (BLO)
Kitten Motif (Appliqué Version)
Make several cat faces or a full-body kitten motif using these components:
Cat Face (Simple Circle Style):
- With gray or beige yarn, magic ring, work 6 SC into ring.
- Inc each round (12, then 18, then 24 SC) until it’s about palm-sized.
- Add triangle ears on top: Chain 4, SC down, attach to top of circle.
- Use black yarn to embroider eyes, pink for nose, white for cheeks.
Or use graphgan-style colorwork in the front panel for integrated kitten design.
Sweater Assembly:
- Front/Back Panels:
- Chain width to match desired sweater width (e.g., 60–70 stitches)
- HDC rows until you reach torso height
- Add SC ribbing on the bottom for vintage feel
- Sleeves:
- Rectangular panels that taper slightly if desired
- Attach kitten appliqués before sewing sleeves on
- Joining:
- Seam shoulders together (leave neck opening)
- Seam sleeves to body
- Seam down sides and underarms
- Add ribbing to neck, wrists, and waist
Finishing Touches:
- Add kitten appliqués to chest, sleeve, or back
- Embroider whiskers, sew on ribbon bows or buttons for eyes
- Use variegated yarn for multi-colored kitties
- Optional: Add a mini fishbone or ball of yarn motif!
Pattern and tutorial by VivCrochets