Crochet Cat Christmas Ornament: Free Pattern for a Cat Head Tree Decoration

Every cat lover's Christmas tree needs at least one cat on it. This little crochet cat head ornament is quick, cheerful and easy to customise, so you can make one that looks just like your own tabby, ginger, black or calico cat.

It's a perfect beginner project. If you can make a magic ring and work single crochet in the round, you can finish one in under an hour. Make a whole set for your tree, turn them into gift tags, or give one to every cat lover you know.

Below you'll find the full free pattern, a colour guide for matching your cat, finishing ideas, and some important tips for keeping your real cat safe around the Christmas tree.

Pattern at a glance

Materials

• Main colour yarn for the face, about 10 g
• Black yarn for embroidering eyes, nose and whiskers
• Pink yarn for the nose (optional)
• Red or green yarn for the hanging loop or a bow
• 3.5 mm or 4 mm crochet hook
• A small amount of polyester fibrefill for light stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors

Cotton yarn gives crisp stitch definition and a neat finish. Acrylic yarn is softer and comes in more colours. Either works well for an ornament.

Crochet terms: US vs UK and Australian

This pattern uses US terms. Australia usually uses UK terms, so check the table below.

The pattern

The ornament is made from two flat circles, a front and a back, joined around the edge with the ears tucked in between.

Face circles (make 2)

Work in continuous rounds. Don't join rounds unless told to. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

• Round 1: MR, 6 sc in the ring, pull tight. (6)
• Round 2: inc in each stitch around. (12)
• Round 3: (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
• Round 4: (sc 2, inc) x6. (24)
• Round 5: (sc 3, inc) x6. (30)

Sl st into the next stitch to finish smoothly. Fasten off. On the first circle, leave a short end and weave it in. On the second circle, leave a 40 cm tail for joining later, or simply rejoin yarn when you're ready.

Your circles should lie flat. If they curl into a bowl, your tension is tight, so try a bigger hook. If they ruffle, try a smaller hook.

Ears (make 2)

Ears are worked in rows, from the base up to the point.

• Row 1: ch 6. sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (5)
• Row 2: ch 1, turn. dec, sc 1, dec. (3)
• Row 3: ch 1, turn. dec, sc 1. (2)
• Row 4: ch 1, turn. dec. (1)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. You now have two small triangles.

Embroider the face

Embroider the face on one circle only before joining. This is your front.

1. Eyes: With black yarn, make two eyes between Rounds 3 and 4, about 5 stitches apart. Use a few short straight stitches, or a French knot, for each eye.
2. Nose: With pink or black yarn, make a small triangle of stitches centred just below the eyes, on Round 2.
3. Mouth: Make a small upside-down "Y" under the nose with two short straight stitches.
4. Whiskers: Make two or three short straight stitches on each side of the nose.

Weave all embroidery ends in on the back of the circle, where they'll be hidden inside.

Join the ornament

1. Place the circles together, wrong sides facing in and the embroidered face pointing out.
2. Position the ears. Slip the base of each ear between the two circles at the top, about 6 stitches apart, at roughly "11 o'clock" and "1 o'clock".
3. Join the yarn to the edge at the bottom of the circles.
4. sc through both layers all the way around, working through the ears' bases where they sit between the circles, so they're caught firmly in the stitches. (30)
5. Stuff lightly before you close the last few stitches. You only want a gentle puff, not a ball.
6. Finish the round, sl st into the first stitch.

Hanging loop

• With the same yarn still attached, or with red or green yarn joined at the top between the ears: ch 15, sl st into the same stitch.

Fasten off and weave all ends in securely.

Make it look like your cat

The best part of this pattern is matching it to a real cat. Here are some ideas:

Adding stripes in the round

For a striped tabby or ginger cat, change colour every round on Rounds 3 to 5. Carry the unused yarn up the back of the circle, which will be hidden once the ornament is joined.

Adding a festive touch

• Santa hat: Crochet a small triangle in red, like the ears but starting with ch 10, and sew it over one ear with a tiny white bobble at the tip.
• Bow tie: Make a short strip of red sc, pinch it in the middle with a wrap of yarn, and sew it under the chin.
• Name: Embroider your cat's initial on the back circle before joining.

Sizing and yarn substitutions

The ornament size depends on your yarn and hook. Here's roughly what to expect:

For a larger ornament, keep increasing by 6 stitches each round: Round 6 would be (sc 4, inc) x6 for 36 stitches, and so on. Make both circles the same size, and adjust the ears so they stay in proportion.

Make a cat lover's gift box

A set of handmade cat ornaments makes a thoughtful present. To put together a gift box:

1. Make three to five ornaments in different coat colours, or all matching the recipient's own cat.
2. Line a small box with tissue paper.
3. Add a handwritten tag with the cat's name embroidered on the back of one ornament.
4. Include a cat-safe gift for their cat, such as a crochet catnip toy.
5. Add a note suggesting they hang the ornaments on the upper branches, out of their cat's reach.

Ways to use your cat ornaments

• Tree ornaments: Hang a whole family of cats in different colours.
• Gift tags: Tie one onto a present instead of a paper tag.
• Garland: String several ornaments onto a length of red yarn and hang it above a doorway or along a high shelf.
• Wreath decoration: Attach a few cats to a festive wreath.
• Personalised gift: Make one that looks like a friend's cat, with the cat's name embroidered on the back.
• Memorial ornament: Many people make an ornament in memory of a much-loved cat that has passed away.

Keeping your real cat safe around the tree

A crochet cat ornament is a decoration, not a toy. Its hanging loop and embroidery threads could be pulled off and swallowed, so hang it where your cat can't reach it.

Why yarn matters

VCA Animal Hospitals explains that swallowed string or yarn can lodge in a cat's digestive tract, causing the intestines to bunch up and potentially tear. Signs include vomiting, refusing food and lethargy, and treatment usually requires surgery. If you ever see yarn hanging from your cat's mouth, don't pull it. Vet Help Direct warns that pulling can damage the intestines. Call your vet straight away.

Cat-safe tree tips

RSPCA Tasmania recommends these Christmas tree precautions for pet owners:

1. Secure the tree so it can't topple if your cat climbs it.
2. Choose shatterproof ornaments made of plastic, wood, paper or fabric instead of glass.
3. Skip the tinsel, which can cause serious intestinal damage if swallowed.
4. Protect light cords by covering or taping them down, and unplug lights when you're out.
5. Keep small decorations out of reach.

Crochet ornaments are a great shatterproof alternative to glass baubles, but hang them on the upper branches. Our guide to Christmas cat tree ideas has more tips, including how to give your cat its own festive tower.

Other Christmas hazards

Lilies are popular in Christmas bouquets in Australia and are extremely toxic to cats. Read our guide to lilies and cats. Many Christmas foods are dangerous too, from ham fat to fruit cake. See our guide to Christmas food that's dangerous for cats.

Troubleshooting

My circle is curling up

Your tension is tight, or you've missed an increase. Count your stitches at the end of each round, and try a larger hook.

My circle is wavy

You may have added extra stitches, or your tension is loose. Count again, and try a smaller hook.

The stuffing shows through

Use a smaller hook for tighter stitches, or choose a stuffing colour close to your yarn colour.

The ears flop over

Make sure the ears are caught firmly in the joining round. You can also add a few extra stitches at the base of each ear to hold them upright.

Ornament checklist

• [ ] I've chosen colours to match my cat.
• [ ] Both circles lie flat with 30 stitches in the last round.
• [ ] The face is embroidered on the front circle before joining.
• [ ] The ears are caught firmly in the joining round.
• [ ] The ornament is lightly stuffed.
• [ ] All ends are woven in securely.
• [ ] The ornament hangs on a high branch, out of my cat's reach.
• [ ] My Christmas tree is secured, with no tinsel or glass on the lower branches.

Frequently asked questions

Is this crochet cat ornament pattern good for beginners?

Yes. It only uses a magic ring, single crochet, increases and decreases, plus simple embroidery. Most beginners can finish one in under an hour.

What yarn should I use for a crochet Christmas ornament?

Worsted or aran weight yarn (8 or 10 ply in Australia) works well. Cotton gives a crisp finish, while acrylic is soft and comes in many colours. You only need small amounts.

Can my cat play with the crochet ornament?

No. It's a decoration, not a toy. The hanging loop and embroidery could be pulled off and swallowed. Hang it high, out of reach. For a cat-safe toy, try our crochet cat toy patterns.

How can I make the ornament look like my cat?

Choose a yarn colour that matches your cat's coat, then add details with embroidery, such as tabby stripes, a white muzzle or coloured patches. The colour guide above has ideas for common coat colours.

Is this pattern in US or UK terms?

It's written in US terms. In UK and Australian terms, single crochet (sc) is double crochet (dc). The terms table above shows every conversion.

Can I sell ornaments made from this pattern?

This pattern is free for personal use and gifts. If you'd like to sell finished ornaments at a local market, please credit InfoDogCats as the pattern source.

Related guides

• Christmas cat tree ideas
• Christmas food that's dangerous for cats
• Easy crochet cat toys: 3 free patterns

Sources

• RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Foreign body in cats
• Vet Help Direct, My cat's swallowed some string, should I pull it out?

This pattern is an original InfoDogCats design, free for personal use. Safety information is general only and not a substitute for advice from your vet.