Disclosure:

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Free Crochet Pattern: Marley's Cat Cave (or Bed)


To create this cat cave you need to use a stiff yarn, I used a mix of Caron One Pound and Red Heart Super Saver. You will also need to hold 4 strands together. I wish I had a better option other than holding 4 strands together but there just isn't a stiff bulky yarn out there that I think would do the job. While you are holding your 4 strands together be sure to hold them tightly. If you hold the slack too loose you will end up with small loops within your project. 


Skill Level: Easy

Finished Size: 14" wide x 9" high. 
This size is ideal for a small to medium size cat, if you have a big fluffy kitty you will want to add more increase rows (you'll also need additional decrease rows at the end). 

Supplies:
4 balls of worsted weight yarn in choice of colors, approx. 350 yards for each color.
Size 9.00 mm Hook
Size 6.50 mm Hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations (US Terms):
Ch - Chain
Sc - Single Crochet
Sc2tog - Single Crochet 2 Together
Sl St - Slip Stitch

Gauge
5 stitches & 5 rows = 2"

Notes
-Joins are made with sl st. 
-Ch 1 does not count as an sc. 
-1 sc2tog counts as an sc.

Holding 4 strands together & using N Hook:
Row 1: Start with a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in circle. Join. (6 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each around. Join. (12 sc) 
Row 3: Ch 1, sc, 2 sc in next. *Sc in next, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (18 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, *Sc in 2, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (24 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, *Sc in 3, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (30 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, *Sc in 4, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (36 sc)
Row 7: Ch 1, *Sc in 5, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (42 sc)
Row 8: Ch 1, *Sc in 6, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (48 sc)
Row 9: Ch 1, *Sc in 7, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (54 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, *Sc in 8, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (60 sc)
Row 11: Ch 1, *Sc in 9, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (66 sc)
Row 12: Ch 1, *Sc in 10, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (72 sc)
Row 13: Ch 1, *Sc in 11, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (78 sc)
Row 14: Ch 1, *Sc in 12, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (84 sc)
Row 15: Ch 1, *Sc in 13, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (90 sc)
Row 16: Ch 1, *Sc in 14, 2 sc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (96 sc)
Row 17-22: Ch 1, sc in each around. Join. (96 sc)
Row 23: Ch 1, sc in 80, leave last 16 un-worked. Ch 1, turn. (80 sc)
Row 24-32: Sc in each around. Ch 1, turn. (80 sc)
Row 33: Sc in each around, ch 16. Join. (80 sc, 16 ch)
Row 34: Ch 1, sc in each around working an sc into each chain. Join. (96 sc)
Row 35:Ch 1, sc in each around. Join. (96 sc)
Row 36: Ch 1, *Sc in 14, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (90 sc)
Row 37: Ch 1, *Sc in 13, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (84 sc)
Row 38: Ch 1, *Sc in 12, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (78 sc)
Row 39: Ch 1, *Sc in 11, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (72 sc)
Row 40: Ch 1, *Sc in 10, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (66 sc)
Row 41: Ch 1, *Sc in 9, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (60 sc)
Row 42: Ch 1, *Sc in 8, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (54 sc)
Row 43: Ch 1, *Sc in 7, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (48 sc)
Row 44: Ch 1, *Sc in 6, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (42 sc)
Row 45: Ch 1, *Sc in 5, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (36 sc)
Row 46: Ch 1, *Sc in 4, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (30 sc)
Row 47: Ch 1, *Sc in 3, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (24 sc)
Row 48: Ch 1, *Sc in 2, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (18 sc)
Row 49: Ch 1, *Sc, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (12 sc)
Row 50: Ch 1, Sc2tog around. Join. (6 sc)
Fasten off leaving a long end to sew this hole shut. 
Sew in all ends, sewing in each strand of yarn individually.  

Using the size K Hook and only 2 strands of yarn sc around the edge of the door. Your entrance opening should measure about 8" across by 4" high. Fasten off and sew in these ends.

______________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this free pattern you might also like this one!



42 comments:

  1. How Beautiful!
    I think my cat would like it too!

    Do You think it can be hooked with sockyarn?

    Greetings
    Masche

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Schaumburger Masche! I'm afraid sock yarn will be far too thin for the cat cave to hold it's shape. Maybe with multiple strands (even more than what the pattern calls for)? But I can't say for sure. Sorry!

      Delete
  2. Carpet yarn might be thick enough to use on it's own or with two strands. I have a ton of left over acrylic so I'm going to try four strands! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never heard of carpet yarn! I'll have to go google ;) Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete
  3. I finished this in 1 day and so far at least one of my cats likes it -the other one hasn't had a chance to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. do you think super bulky "6" yarn would work on its own?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried working it with Bernat Softee Chunky yarn and unfortunately, the yarn just was not stiff enough for the cat cave to hold it's shape.

      Delete
  5. Thank you so much - I plan to make for my granddaughter's new kitty

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you Jenni, for this really cool pattern, I can see my cats loving this.... I love using up yarn this way! Thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tried a similar cave with t- shirt yarn & it still would not hold its shape. I'm going to try to weave in some sort of stable plastic tubing. If anyone has ideas I'd love to hear them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for letting me know, I was curious about the t-shirt yarn. Good luck weaving in the tubing, my cat cave is currently still standing and is pretty stiff. Maybe starching the finished piece could possibly work?

      Delete
    2. Wire I use metal/wire coat hangers and bend them into multiple rings and I crochet around them while working for the entrance i use a smaller and then once I crochet about a quarter of it I crochet in a little but of a bigger ring then another quarter goes and I crochet a little bit of a bigger ring then the previous and then the middle being the largest and then from here I decrease in size back to small which will be the end I hope that you understand what I mean lol. I close my rings using heat shrink tubing from the hardware store but I'm sure ducttape would be fine.

      Delete
  8. What a fantastic pattern :) Could it be used for two cats, or would the pattern need tweaking? And would t shirt yarn be thick enough for this bed? Adopting two adult brothers soon and want to make them feel safe Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bernice! Unfortunately, for 2 adult cats it probably should be tweaked to make it a little larger. Just above your comment someone else said they tried t-shirt yarn with a different cat cave pattern and it didn't work out so well but someone else replied saying maybe carpet yarn would be a good option. I haven't had a chance to try it out though. Good luck with your new kitties!

      Delete
  9. Love this pattern, Thank you for sharing with us. Our 2 babies are going to love these. I know they will have a blast in these. Going to get busy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. love it! will try it with tshirt yarn...will let you know!!! thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jacqueline, I would love to know how it works out with t-shirt yarn! I've been planning on making my own t-shirt yarn and trying it with this pattern but have yet to get around to it.

      Delete
  11. This is adorable! Could you make it pinable so I can save it to Pinterest for when I'm ready to make it? I have some vintage aunt Lydia rug yarn I want to try. Just have to find where I stashed it, lol...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Molly, I would love to know how the rug yarn turns out! I plan on giving this a try with some diy t-shirt yarn (hopefully soon). I've added a more pinable image, you can find the pinterest button at the bottom of the post on the left. After you click the little P a new page should pop up for Pinterest. I need to work on getting a pinterest hover button, thanks for the reminder ;)

      Delete
  12. Would 2 strands of red heart super saver make it stiff enough to stand up?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure that two strands would make it stiff enough. If you do try it you'll need to use a smaller hook so the cave doesn't end up holey and you'll also need to work additional increase rows because it will turn out much smaller.

      Delete
  13. What skill level would you say this is? I only know how to knit and would have to learn how to crochet to make this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is an easy pattern, not quite beginner level but since you knit you would probably understand the terminology more than someone who hasn't knit or crocheted.

      Delete
  14. I have just made this for my 5 month old kitten. He absolutely loves it, so much so, he crawled into it whilst I was still making it and refused to get out.
    Only issue I had (apart from hand cramp) was my seam above the hole seems to run diagonally but other than that, looks great. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the idea. I've made 2 of these with a mix of yarns .... 2DK and 1Chunky. Even though it's a softer finish, you can always allow the cat to sleep "ON TOP" as it forms a PET BED !

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have a beautiful yorkies mix that was a rescue. A friend told me she might like the security of a crate to help with her skiddish behavior, but I don't like them. But I love the idea of a cave for her. After I make it, I'll post a picture.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My cat is going to love love love this!!!
    He can’t wait for me to finish it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've been surfing online more than 4 hours today,
    yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This came out perfect, and my kitty loves it! I used 4 strands of an inexpensive worsted yarn. It stands up perfectly and the whole thing cost me about $10 to make. My only significant challenge was keeping the four strands from tangling, since I never worked with more than one skein before. Any suggestions? I'd like to make one for the foster angel who raised our furbaby before we rescued her. I'd post a photo, but I can't figure out how

    ReplyDelete
  20. This came out perfect, and my kitty loves it! I used 4 strands of an inexpensive worsted yarn. It stands up perfectly and the whole thing cost me about $10 to make. My only significant challenge was keeping the four strands from tangling, since I never worked with more than one skein before. Any suggestions? I'd like to make one for the foster angel who raised our furbaby before we rescued her. I'd post a photo, but I can't figure out how

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Thanks for your comment, the only thing I have found that helps is pulling the yarn from the center of the ball but it does still tangle. I imagine there is a fancy yarn holder that may work or maybe using yarn bowls but I haven't tried either myself.

      Delete
  21. Awh he looks so happy in his cave. I loved your explanantions in this pattern, really appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe yes he was! Now he's a big 20+ pound kitty and can't even try to fit in there. =D

      Delete
  22. Haven’t tried this yet but I might try wool yarn and a bigger hook so it comes out bigger then felt it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to hear how it turns out! If you would like to share your results with me you can find me on Instagram @byjennidesigns or via email byjennidesigns@gmail.com I recently picked up Lion Brand Cover Story Yarn and plan to try it out with this pattern. :)

      Delete
  23. Should a M (9.00mm) hook or an N (10.00mm) hook be used?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, I am sorry that I am only now seeing your message. My Clover hook reads "M/N 9.0mm" so I would go with you M since it's 9mm. I apologize for the confusion and I am going to remove the letter from the pattern so no one else runs into this issue. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

      Delete