Free Many Cats Square Pattern

Materials Needed:

• Yarn: Based on fiber preference.
• Hook Size: 4mm (US G/6).
• Safety Eyes: A pair of 6mm safety eyes (or beads/black yarn).
• Needle: Tapestry needle.
• Other Tools: Scissors.
• Pattern Measurements: Square- 10x10cm (4x4in) after blocking.

Abbreviations (UK terms)

• BLO: Back loops only.
• ch(s): Chain(s).
• dc: Double crochet (US: single crochet).
• dc2tog: Double crochet 2 together (US: single crochet 2 together).
• FLO: Front loops only.
• rnd(s): Round(s).
• RS: Right side.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• sp(s): Space(s).
• st(s): Stitch(es).
• tr: Treble (US: double crochet).
• WS: Wrong side.

Special Notes

• Blocking: Aggressively block for best results. Works best with animal fibers.
• Curl Reduction Modifications: Add extra corner stitches if using synthetic/plant fibers or if not blocking.
• Eye Placement: On Row 9, about 3 stitches apart.

Special Techniques

• Magic Loop: Used to start the background square.
• Corner Modifications: Work (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in each ch-2 space for less curling.

Step by Step Guide for Making Many Cats Square Pattern:

Background Square

Round 1:

• Using your main background color, create a magic loop.
• Ch5 (counts as tr, ch2), then work (3tr, ch2) three times into the loop.
• Add 2tr, and join with a sl st in the third chain of the starting ch5.
• Sl st into the ch-2 sp to reposition.
  • Stitch Count: 3 stitches per side, 12 total.

Round 2:

• Ch5, tr into the ch-2 sp.
• (Tr in each st to the next ch-2 sp, then work [tr, ch2, tr] in ch-2 sp).
• Repeat around, joining with a sl st in the third chain of the starting ch5, then sl st into the ch-2 sp.
  • Stitch Count: 5 stitches per side, 20 total.

Round 3-4:

• Repeat Round 2, increasing stitches per side by 2 with each round.
  • Round 3 Stitch Count: 7 stitches per side, 28 total.
  • Round 4 Stitch Count: 9 stitches per side, 36 total.

Round 5 (Contrast Color):

• Change to background contrast color.
• Work as Round 2, but into BLO.
  • Stitch Count: 11 stitches per side, 44 total.

Round 6 (Border):

• Change to border color.
• Ch1, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in space between each st to the next ch-2 sp.
• Repeat around and join with sl st to the first stitch.
  • Stitch Count: 14 stitches per side, 56 total.

Cat Motif

Row 1 (RS):

• Using cat color, ch23.
• Dc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn.
  • Stitch Count: 22 stitches.

Row 2 (WS):

• Ch1, dc in the first 10 stitches. Turn.
  • Stitch Count: 10 stitches (12 stitches unworked to form the tail).

Rows 3-8:

• Repeat Row 2.

Row 9 (RS):

• Ch1, dc2tog in FLO, dc across to the last two stitches, then dc2tog in FLO. Turn.
  • Stitch Count: 8 stitches.

Row 10 (WS):

• Work as Row 9, but into BLO.
  • Stitch Count: 6 stitches.

Row 11 (Ears):

• Ch3, sl st in the third chain from the hook (first ear).
• Dc in the next 4 stitches.
• Ch3, sl st in the third chain from the hook (second ear).
• Sl st in the last stitch.
  • Stitch Count: 5 stitches + 2 ears.

Finishing

• Fasten off, leaving a 20cm (8in) yarn tail for sewing.
• Attach Eyes: Position eyes on Row 9, approximately 3 stitches apart. For safety eyes, trim the shank if needed and secure with superglue for durability.
• Sew the cat motif to the center of the square.
• Block the completed square if desired.

Optional Modifications for Curling

• For Rounds 2-5 of the background square, work (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in the corners instead of (tr, ch2, tr).
• Adds 2 extra stitches per side per round.

You now have your Many Cats Square Pattern ready!

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