I designed this crocheted cat toy for a friend who's moving to Japan - but it should keep American kitties equally entertained. Lots of tentacles for utmost feline stimulation, plus a string on top for you to get in on the game.Bear with me, this is the first pattern I've written. And by the way, the pictures don't do it justice.
Materials:
~ Scrap yarn. I used worsted weight wool, but it shouldn't really make a difference.
~ Teensy amount of scrap yarn in contrasting color for eyes (optional).
~ Crochet hook, size needed to keep stitches tight enough to contain filling. (I used size G.)
~ Filling material. Poly, beans, etc. I used more scrap yarn.
~ Catnip (optional).
~ Yarn needle.
Gauge:
Unimportant.
Size:
Mine is about 6" long, but will vary depending on yarn, hook, etc.
Pointy Top
Leaving a 24-inch tail (for interactive play) if desired:
1. Ch 13. Turn.
2. Dc in 3rd ch from hook. Along chain: dc in next ch, 3 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 sl st.
3. Along opposite side of chain: 1 sl st, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 3 dc.
4. Cut.
Repeat steps 1-3 to make a second piece. After last dc, turn, then join the two pieces with sl st around perimeter, leaving the "dc" end open. Do not cut.
Body
Work 10 sc around open space, in dc's of "pointy top" section. Join in the round.
Rows 1-2: Sc in each sc around - 10 sc.
Row 3: *Sc in next sc; 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * around - 15 sc in row.
Row 4: Sc in each sc around - 15 sc.
Row 5: *Sc in each of next 2 sc; 2 sc in next sc. Repeat from * around - 20 sc in row.
Rows 6-10: Sc in each sc around - 20 sc.
Legs
1. Sl st in next sc of body.
2. Ch 16. Turn.
3. Sc in 2nd ch from hook; sc in each ch.
4. Sl st to join to next sc of body.
Repeat steps 1-4 five more times around body - 6 legs total.
(NOTE: Keep your sc's tighter than your ch's to make the legs twist.)
Tentacles
1. Sl st in next sc of body.
2. Ch 25. Turn.
3. Sc in 2nd ch from hook; dc in each of next 2 ch; tr in each of next 3 ch; dc in each of next 2 ch; sc in rest of ch.
4. Sl st to join to next sc of body.
Repeat steps 1-4 once more - 2 tentacles.
Make 2 additional legs - total 8 legs, 2 tentacles. Cut, leaving a 12" tail.
Stuff with filling and catnip, if desired. Use tail to sew up opening between legs/tentacles.
EYES (optional)
1. With contrasting color, ch 4 and join in the round with sl st.
2. 2 sc in each ch around. Sl st to join. Cut.
Make two; sew to toy above legs.
29 comments:
You're pattern is too much. I need to make it. Thanks.
Thanks! Let me know how it turns out - and how your kitty likes it!
OMG this is SO CUTE! I need to learn how to crochet immediately to make this for the kitties! Also, I'm totally enjoying your blog. :)
Thanks Skully. *grin* Did you notice I already have your Florida Knitters blog linked here? I intend to make a lot of use of that in a couple months when I get down to Jax.
Hi Cara - a comment is the least I can do for your cat toy pattern! I am a 33 yo PR professional living in Nova Scotia Canada. I have two black cats, siblings, who love to play and enjoy wiggly toys. I expect they'll love this. My fella might love it more, he loves to tease them. Cheers and thanks, keep on stitchin'!
Jacquie
I made this for my kitten as a Christmas present. It is so adorable! Thank you for the great pattern.
--Elizabeth
Meeka would like to thank you for the awesome kitty squid toy! Chester even joins in the fun and he NEVER normally does that. Now, if I could figure out a way to make it through a night without waking up with a kitty squid in bed with me!
~Lynn
Thanks very much for posting this pattern!!! I'm making bunches for a friend who doesn't have a cat, but who desperately needs something fun to hang in his room...squid mobile to the rescue!
I just added your pattern to Ravelry - I credited the title of your blog as the designer, since I don't know your full name, but I gave full website credit where I could. :)
it's here
OI! My hero!
OMG, this was/is too cute! I made it the very next day after seeing this!
The only thing I did different was SC in each SC between the legs & tenacles.
My puppy tried stealign the toy before I was even done making it so I KNOW my cats are going to love it!
Thanks for posting this pattern! I may make another one for pratice & then make some for the cause!
I'm looking forward to more patterns from you.
Thank you for sharing this pattern! I made a few alterations (made the tenacles longer) because my cats love danglies. I also put a rattle inside it from one of the toys they destroyed. I can't say enough about how awesome this squid is!!! :) Thanks again for posting it!
Hello I made this for my toy yorkie (even when is a cat toy)
she love it so much she even goes to sleep with it
Thanks a lot for the pattern
Good JoB! :)
this is too damn cute!
im totally about to make like..15 of these to decorate my room. thanks!!!
hey i know you published this a couple years ago, but i just found it now. i love the concept with the "stringy" parts! i also VERY much appreciate that you are helping out shelter cats...keep on it.
This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing it. And good on you for helping Maine Coon cats. They are such beautiful felines.
this was so cute i just had to make it.. a few improvements i could suggest.. on the legs or tentacles, if you say to put 2 stitches in each chain, it will automatically curl instead of saying to crochet tight.. the other thing, is when adding the legs/tentacles, if you tell people to put 1 tentacle, 4 legs, 1 tentacle and the last 4 legs, it will make it less awkward adding them. you wind up at the bottom with 20 stitches with 10 appendages to add on.
thanks for the pattern.. i'm gonna make a bunch for my feral cats and some for my friends cats too!!
Making one for my 4 year old kid who loves him some squid. Adorable!
I just made this! It's brilliant - thank you for the pattern.
I'm using these to help shelter cats in my area, as well. They're having a big event in two weeks and I'm making a bunch of these and mice for them to sell, with the proceeds going straight to the kitties. Thanks so much for the pattern....I'm sure my four will steal some as well!
I love this pattern - Thanks! I made one today, and it was So Fast!
I do have a question, though. After stuffing it, I just sewed straight across the bottom, but the pictures in your blog don't look like that's what you did. How did you sew it shut?
Thanks!
I don't remember very precisely on the first one - I may have gathered and pulled tight so it was more circular than flat. The subsequent squids I made were sewn flat.
I am so making this! I'm going to stuff mine with a plastic bag. My cats love the crunchy sound! ^^
Looks to be a great toy. I was looking to make some for the displaced humane society cats from the recent flood. Many are still in temporary housing due to the Minot, North Dakota flood in June!
Thanks so much for sharing the pattern. I made one right quick for my new kitten, and she loves it. Question for you though, would you mind if I used your pattern to create a how to video for crocheting?
Best regards- Desiree
Hi there, I came across your pattern and love it so much! I put catnip in the body of the squid and my cat goes ballistic when she plays with it.
I was wondering if I might have your permission to make several of these squids and sell them in my Etsy.com shop. I am a nursing student and I am trying to make it through my classes with as few loans and government aid as possible. Crochet is my biggest hobby and I've been selling my creations to help pay for books and other school materials. Whichever way you decide, thanks for considering, you can let me know thru my email: krista.polach@gmail.com
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