How cute is this Cat Cuddler Travel Neck Pillow? A free crochet pattern for a fun & easy cat pillow!

Perfect for the cat lover – this pillow is adorable & so comfy.

I designed this pillow for my granddaughter as she is obsessed with all things cat. Her Christmas wish list all came from Pusheen the Cat. I have never seen a kid so excited to open a present of a backpack, slippers and socks. ?So, in keeping with her requested theme, I just had to design a couple of items that I knew she would love!

This Cat Cuddler is made with Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn* which is intended for home decor items making it super sturdy – perfect for a pillow that will see a lot of use! Home Dec yarn is a chunky tubular style yarn that feels like soft cotton and it stitches up quickly!

*This post contains affiliate links.  You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!  

Available in several colors at Yarnspirations, it is also a perfect match with the knit-look Waistcoat Stitch I used for the pillow as it doesn’t split and has fabulous stitch definition.

T-shirt yarn would make a fabulous substitute or really any yarn you have on hand as gauge doesn’t matter for this project. Find colors to match your favorite tabby!

If you aren’t familiar with the Waistcoat Stitch, I have a complete photo & video tutorial HERE. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you never miss a new video.

If you are interested in the cute sleepy cat pajamas you see in the photos you can find them at Amazon. Makes a great gift!

The main body of the pillow is made in the round in one piece with the ears and tail sewn on before stuffing pillow.

The ends of the pillow are sewn shut after filling.

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

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You may also like the following free crochet patterns at Nana’s Crafty Home:

1. C2C Heart Apron for kids
2. Pretty Play Date Dress
3. Butterfly Wings Bucket Bag

Cat Cuddler Travel Neck Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Bernat Maker Home Decor Clay 2.0 oz / 73 yds (Color A)
Bernat Maker Home Decor Cream 5.1 oz / 184 yds (Color B) 
Size L (8.0 mm) crochet hook
Poly-fil for stuffing
Tapestry Needle
Stitch marker
Scissors

Approximate finished size:  14” x 8”

Gauge: worked in pattern: 16 rows = 4” / 11 st = 4”

Abbreviations:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
csc = center single crochet (see special stitches section below)
MC = magic circle
RS = right side
st = stitch
sp = space

Notes about pattern:

• Worked in continuous rounds without joining.
• Resizing:  to adjust size make more or fewer beginning chains.  When resizing, add or subtract stitches evenly to both sides of chart at the beginning and end of the chart for each round.  Color work section rounds 9 -13 are made with Fair Isle Crochet technique in which colors are “floated”  or carried behind the work to carry colors.  I did not float the colors throughout the entire rounds instead using bobbins at each color section to make color work more manageable.

Special stitches:

csc = center single crochet:  single crochet is worked between the legs of the single crochet stitch from the previous row.

Tutorials: Waistcoat “Knit” / Center Single Crochet (csc) Stitch Tutorial

Main Body PIllow Instructions

Starting with a long tail to sew pillow together at end. With Color A, ch 45,

Round 1:  (RS) sc in 1st ch to form a ring, (place st marker in 1st st and move up st marker each round), sc in each remaining ch to end.  Do not sl st join at the end.  (45)

Round 2:  csc in each st around (45)

Round 3 – 6 repeat round 2.

Change to Color B

Round 7 – 8:  With Color B, repeat round 2.

Round 9 – 13:  repeat round 2 using chart found at the bottom of post for color changes.  Yarn colors you are not working will be carried behind your work or “floated”.  Color A will be fastened off once color work is complete after round 13.  Written row by row instructions follow below:

Row 9: (B csc) x 20, (A csc) x 5, (B csc) x 20  

Row 10: (B csc) x 19, A csc, (B csc) x 2, A csc, (B csc) x 2, A csc, (B csc) x 19  

Row 11: (B csc) x 13, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 6, A csc, (B csc) x 6, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 13  

Row 12: (B csc) x 13, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 6, A csc, (B csc) x 6, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 13  

Row 13: (B csc) x 13, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 6, A csc, (B csc) x 6, (A csc) x 3, (B csc) x 13  

Round 14 – 47:  With color B, repeat round 2.

Change to Color A

Round 48 – 53 With Color A, repeat round 2.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.  Weave in remaining ends.

Ears (Make 2)

Row 1:  (RS) With Color B, make MC, (3 sc, ch 1, 3 sc) in MC, turn.

Row 2:  ch 1, csc in next 3 st, (sc, ch 1, sc) in ch 1 sp, csc in next 3 st, turn.

Change to Color A 

Row 3:  ch 1, csc in next 4 st, (sc, ch 1, sc) in ch 1 sp, csc in each st to end.

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Tail (worked in continuous rounds)

Round 1:  With Color B, make a MC, ch 1, 6 sc st in MC (place st marker in 1st st and move up st marker each round), do not sl st join. (6)

Round 2 – 4:  csc in each st around (6)

Change to Color A

Round 6 – 8: repeat round 2 (6)

Change to Color B

Round 9 – 16:  repeat round 2 (6)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.  Weave in remaining ends. 

Sew ears to RS front of pillow above face.

Sew tail to RS front of pillow toward bottom of pillow.

Whiskers 

Cut 4 strands of Color A for whiskers. Insert whiskers where desired by inserting hook around stitch from the side, pulling up a loop and pulling both strands of yarn ends through loop, gently pull closed.

Weave in ends.

Stuff pillow and sew ends shut using long tails left for sewing.