Shortly after we brought our kitties home from adoption day at our local pet store, I crocheted them each a cat bed. They weren’t interested in the beds at first, much to my dismay, but then I would find them snuggled together in them regularly. They are now a staple in front of the fireplace and in sunny spots around the house. I have received so many requests for a tutorial, but the yarn I used was discontinued. I have tried four other yarns over the past year and either they were discontinued before I could buy more to make a tutorial or I didn’t like them! Anyway, I finally found a yarn that was a winner and it’s still available. So, here is the easy crochet cat (or dog) bed video tutorial and pattern. Finally!
The yarn I finally landed on was Bernat Big Blanket yarn in the color Vintage. I really like the color of this cream (it’s not too yellow or too gray) and I knew the cats would love the fuzzy chenille yarn. It is a little bit more difficult to see the stitches, especially in the first row, but I found it easier to work with than other chenille yarns I tried (one was so fuzzy that it was impossible to see the stitches and know where to work your hook.) The one downside to this yarn is it will snap if it’s pulled too tight. For my other crochet cat beds, I started with the magic loop/circle but that didn’t work with this yarn. It would grip itself and wouldn’t slip through when I pulled on it.
The other thing that was different about this yarn is it ended up looking like a bowl the first couple of rows! (That didn’t happen with the other yarns I tried.) It did settle down once I got to the third and fourth rows, but I just wanted you to be aware in case yours does the same.
The good news is that the cats already love it. They took turns sitting it almost right after I made it. I hope your animals enjoy it as much as mine do!
Easy Crochet Cat (Dog) Bed Materials
- (I used two skeins)
- (I like this one because it has a place to grip with your thumb.)
Easy Crochet Cat (Dog) Bed Video Tutorial
Easy Crochet Cat (Dog) Printable Pattern
And, because they are just so cute, here are a couple more pictures of my sweet cats in their bed…
If you’d like to try other free crochet patterns for beginners, you can find more HERE.
28 Responses
how do you clean it? Can you throw it in the wash or vacuum it? My fur ball sheds so much..
I haven’t had to wash this cat bed, yet, but I washed the other ones I’ve made and they way up very well. I just remove as much hair as I can with my hands (picking it off) and then I throw it in the wash on cold and let it air dry.
Your kitties are darling! I have a big (19 pounds) orange Maine Coon cat who would love one of these. Is there a formula for figuring out how large to make it? He has outgrown his original cat bed and does need a larger one.
Since you make the bed from the inside, out, you can see how large it is before you start making the sides. That way, you can judge if it’s large enough.
They are so cute and the beds are adorable!
Oh my gosh, they are adorable, the beds and the cats…..
The cat bed came out so very nice. I love that color and looks like kitty gave the paw stamp of approval. Yay! Thanks!
I haven’t crocheted since i was quite young when my Polish grandmother taught me to edge linen handkerchiefs- yes i am that old!
These are so beautiful that i would love to try.
Unless of course you are willing to sell. ?
I could not crochet if my life depended on it, but I would do anything for those kitty pictures! I feel cozy just seeing the cats in their beds! A great project for the “able”!
Oohhhhh I am going to try this for my recent rescue kitty! Thanks Marian. Hope you all are well?
Thank you so much for posting how to make the cat bed. I just ordered my supplies from Michaels. Can’t wait to make it!
Thank you so much for telling us how to make the cat bed. I just ordered the supplies. Can’t wait to make it!
April
Kitty beds are so cute, but have terrible allergies so can’t have them.
Hi Marian – Cannot express how much I love all you do, you are an inspiration!! Am constantly singing your praises. Love the cat bed, will probably make soon. Couldnt help noticing the lovely crocheted throw on the footstool. Did you make this? Could you point me in the right direction for the pattern? Thanks again for all you do!!
I bought the blanket from a consignment store. Isn’t it so pretty? So, unfortunately, I don’t have the pattern.
I love it! Looks so warm and cozy.
This cat bed is adorable! We don’t have any furry pets (asthma) but I’m going to try making this as a pretty container for….something. Magazines? Yarn? Scarves? Or maybe I’ll give it to my friend who has two kitties like you do. Thank you so much for all your work to create the instructions and tutorial!
After desired diameter is reached, work the next round (no increases) in the back loops only, to make a flatter base. Then, continue working the sides.
You mean cats will lie is something else besides a box?!
Those are so cozy and pretty. How do keep your kitties from scratching up your beautiful furniture? I’ve been longing for a cat but don’t want to declaw.
Yeah, I don’t declaw cats. When we first got them, we got cardboard scratchers for them and they have been really good about using those. I keep one on the floor right behind the sofa, so they can scratch there instead. Also, when they scratched, we would spray them with compressed air. They really have been good about leaving the furniture alone. Also, we do have small, female cats (they are about 5-6lbs), so they don’t do as much damage as a larger, heavier cat when they do scratch.
I made your pattern last night for my little poodle and she slept in it all night! Love the pattern, thank you for sharing.
Oh, that’s wonderful to hear! Both of my kitties were snuggled in ours all afternoon.
Just finished my kittie bed. I love it she is deciding! I used yarn from Walmart, chenille chunky yarn because I couldn’t find the Bernat anywhere. It took two skeins and is great. Thank you so much for the pattern I love for something I didn’t know I wanted. Love it!
I haven’t been able to find the Abernathy yarn you listed above…Big Blanket Yarn…did they change the name?
I found the yarn! Yay! Now I started crocheting last year…so I have some experience, not tons. When I complete the 2nd step I end up with a tube that I can’t mKe flat…am I working too loose or too tight?
Yay for finding the yarn! Are you increasing your circle enough? It’ll be a tube if you’re not increasing. Also, mine did look a bit like a bowl when I did the first couple of rows, but it flattened out as I continued to work.