Free Crochet Pattern: Mini Cactus Cat Amigurumi – Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

ByEmila Lorein

Looking for a fun and fast crochet project that combines two of the cutest things ever – cacti and cats? This Mini Cactus Cat Amigurumi pattern is exactly what you need! These adorable little plant-cat hybrids work up quickly with super bulky chenille yarn and a 4.0mm hook, making them the perfect last-minute gift, craft fair addition, or weekend project. Standing at just 5.3 inches tall inside their pot, they make the ideal desk buddy or shelf decor.

This pattern includes two versions: a Light Green Version with a heart-shaped pot and a Spotted Version with a playful color-blocked body. Both are absolutely adorable!

About Chenille Yarn

This pattern is designed for super bulky chenille yarn (100g / 3.5oz – 120m / 131yds). A 4.0mm crochet hook is recommended, but if you crochet very tightly, you may need to go up to 5.0mm.

Recommended yarn brands: Katia Bambi, Himalaya Dolphin Baby, Premier Parfait Chunky, Hobbii Honey Bunny.

Tips for working with chenille yarn:

  • If you need to remove stitches, do so carefully – this yarn frays easily and often gets stuck. Patience is key!
  • Sewing parts with chenille can be tricky because it frays. I recommend using a finer, resistant cotton yarn in a matching color to sew the parts together – it will be much easier.
  • When threading a needle with chenille, look for a needle with as large a hole as possible so the yarn deteriorates as little as possible.
  • This type of yarn is difficult to visualize at times, so always count your stitches carefully.

Materials

  • Main Crochet Hook: 4.0mm (or 5.0mm if you crochet tightly)
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Black Safety Eyes 10mm (x2)
  • Scissors and yarn needle
  • Stitch marker
  • Optional: Blush for cheeks, fabric glue for attaching flower and tail

Yarn Requirements by Version

Light Green Version

  • Light Green – 25 grams
  • Cream – 15 grams
  • Light Yellow – 10 grams
  • Light Coral – 5 grams
  • Green – 2 grams
  • Brown – 15 grams
  • Fuchsia – 5 grams

Spotted Version

  • Green – 20 grams
  • Light Green – 15 grams
  • Light Yellow – 10 grams
  • Orange – 5 grams
  • Bright Brown – 20 grams
  • Light Pink – 5 grams

Abbreviations

ch chain stitch
sc single crochet
dc double crochet
hdc half double crochet
trc triple crochet
slst slip stitch
sk skip
inc increase (2 sc in same stitch)
dec invisible decrease
BLO Back Loop Only
FLO Front Loop Only
Rnd round
st / sts stitch / stitches

General Tips

  • All parts are worked with the main 4.0mm crochet hook unless otherwise specified.
  • Always use a stitch marker – it makes counting rounds much easier and helps you follow the pattern accurately.
  • Stuff your project generously, but not too tightly. Over-stuffing will distort the shape. Stuff pieces as you go for the best results.
  • Safety eyes are not recommended for children under 3 years of age. For baby toys, embroider the eyes instead.
  • All patterns are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. If you need to work in joined rounds, a note will appear at the beginning of that section.

Techniques Used in This Pattern

SC Increase

Insert the hook under both loops of the indicated stitch, make a single crochet, insert your hook under both loops of the same stitch and make a second single crochet.

Starting Ring (Alternative to Magic Ring)

The beginning of some pieces will not use a regular Magic Ring. Instead:
Chain 2, then work 8 single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook.
If you prefer, you can replace this with a Magic Ring with 8 single crochet.

Invisible SC Decrease

Insert hook into the front loop of the first stitch, insert hook into the front loop of the next stitch, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook, yarn over and draw through the last two loops on hook.

Color Change

Work the last stitch with the first color until you have only two loops on the hook. With the new color, grab it around the hook and pull through the 2 remaining loops. The next stitch you make will be the first stitch in the new color.

Invisible Fasten Off

Skip the next stitch. Insert the needle into both loops of the next stitch and pull yarn through. Insert the needle through the back loop of the starting stitch and tighten just enough so the join looks like a regular stitch.

Bobble dc 5

Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over and draw through the stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (2 loops remain). Repeat this four more times in the same stitch (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through all 6 loops. One Bobble dc 5 is complete!

Bobble dc 5 with a Color Change

Make the color change in the stitch before starting the bobble stitch. Work the bobble stitch as normal, but use the old color for the final yarn over that pulls through all loops. Then continue following the pattern with the old color.

Pattern – Light Green Version

Tail

With light green yarn

Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook.
Rnd 1-2: sc 6 (6 sts)
Rnd 3: sc 2, bobble dc 3, sc 2, bobble dc 3 (6 sts)
Rnd 4: sc 6 (6 sts)
Rnd 5: sc 2, dec, sc 2 (5 sts)
Rnd 6: sc 1, bobble dc 3, sc 3 (5 sts)
Rnd 7: sc 5 (5 sts)
Rnd 8: sc 3, dec. Invisible fasten off. (4 sts)

Leave the tail aside – you will use it later to join to the body.

Tail Flower

With light coral yarn

Place the Starting Ring on the right side. Attach a new light coral yarn in the 4th stitch between the starting ring and Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: [{ch 2 + hdc 1 + ch 1 + slst 1} to the same st] 5x, slst 1 in 1st ch of this rnd (26 sts)

Using your needle, pull the yarn tails out through a stitch away from the flower, tie a knot, and hide them inside the tail.

Head and Body

With light green yarn

Ch 2, sc 8 in second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: [inc] 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 2: 8x (24 sts)
Rnd 3: sc 24 (24 sts)
Rnd 4: 4x (28 sts)
Rnd 5-6: sc 28 (28 sts)
Rnd 7: sc 7, [inc] 4x, sc 1, cream color, bobble dc 3, sc 1, bobble dc 3, light green color, sc 1, [inc] 4x, sc 8 (36 sts)
Rnd 8: sc 36 (36 sts)
Rnd 9: 12x (24 sts)
Rnd 10: [dec] 12x (12 sts)

Eye placement: Put the 10mm black safety eyes between Rnds 6 and 7. First eye between stitches 10 and 11. Second eye between stitches 16 and 17.

Rnd 11: FLO [inc] 6x (24 sts)
Rnd 12: sc 9, cream color, bobble dc 5, light green color, sc 4, cream color, bobble dc 5, light green color, sc 9 (24 sts)
Rnd 13: sc 10, [inc] 4x, sc 10 (28 sts)
Rnd 14: sc 28 (28 sts)

Joining the tail: Flatten the open part of the tail. Insert your hook through the 3rd and 2nd sc of the last rnd of the tail and the 1st st of the body. Sc 1. Insert your hook through the 4th and 1st sc of the last rnd of the tail and the 2nd st of the body. Sc 1.

Rnd 15 continued: sc 6, cream color, bobble dc 5, light green color, sc 1, [dec] 4x, sc 1, cream color, bobble dc 5, light green color, sc 8 (24 sts)
Rnd 16: FLO 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 17: [dec] 8x (8 sts)

Stuff the head and body. Close using the front loops of the last stitches. Fasten off. Optionally add a small amount of glue to the base of the tail to attach it to the body.

Left Ear

Work between Rnds 2 and 5 of the body. Place the cat with its face facing you (legs to the left). Attach a new light green yarn in 5th st between Rnds 2 and 3.

Rnd 1: {ch 1 + hdc 2 + ch 2 + slst 1 in 2nd ch from hook} to the same st (6 sts)
Jump to 5th st between Rnd 3 and 4: hdc 2 (2 sts)
Jump to 6th st between Rnd 4 and 5: slst 1 (1 st)

Right Ear

Place the cat with its face facing you (legs to the right). Attach a new light green yarn in 21st st between Rnds 4 and 5.

Rnd 1: {ch 1 + hdc 2 + ch 2 + slst 1 in 2nd ch from hook} to the same st (6 sts)
Jump to 18th st between Rnd 3 and 4: hdc 2 (2 sts)
Jump to 18th st between Rnd 2 and 3: slst 1 (1 st)

Nose

With green yarn, add 3 small stitches between the bobble stitches of the head between Rnds 6 and 7. Add another stitch horizontally down to Rnd 8.

Cheeks

Apply a little blush with a soft brush under the eyes.

Spots

With light yellow yarn, add random stitches on the head and body. Optionally add two small stitches on each side of the snout to simulate whiskers.

Flower

With light yellow and fuchsia yarn

With light yellow: Ch 2, sc 5 in second ch from hook.
Rnd 1 (fuchsia): [slst 1, {ch 2 + hdc 1 + ch 2 + slst 1} to the same st] 5x, slst 1 in first sc of this rnd. Fasten off. (36 sts)

Glue the flower to the top of your cat’s head.

Heart Pot

With brown and cream yarn

With brown: Ch 2, sc 8 in second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: [inc] 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 2: 8x (24 sts)
Rnd 3: 8x (32 sts)
Rnd 4: BLO sc 32 (32 sts)
Rnd 5: 2x, sc 3, cream color, sc 1, brown color, sc 3, inc, sc 7, inc (36 sts)
Rnd 6: sc 20, cream color, sc 3, brown color, sc 13 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: sc 19, cream color, sc 5, brown color, sc 12 (36 sts)
Rnd 8: sc 19, cream color, sc 2, brown color, sc 1, cream color, sc 2, brown color, sc 12 (36 sts)
Rnd 9: sc 36 (36 sts)

Finishing – Light Green Version

Place the cactus cat inside the heart-shaped pot.

Pattern – Spotted Version

Tail

With green yarn

Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook.
Rnd 1-2: sc 6 (6 sts)
Rnd 3: sc 2, bobble dc 3, sc 2, bobble dc 3 (6 sts)
Rnd 4: sc 6 (6 sts)
Rnd 5: sc 2, dec, sc 2 (5 sts)
Rnd 6: sc 1, bobble dc 3, sc 3 (5 sts)
Rnd 7: sc 5 (5 sts)
Rnd 8: sc 3, dec. Invisible fasten off. (4 sts)

Tail Flower

With light yellow yarn

Place the Starting Ring on the right side. Attach a new light yellow yarn in the 4th st between the starting ring and Rnd 1.

Rnd 1: [{ch 2 + hdc 1 + ch 1 + slst 1} to the same st] 5x, slst 1 in 1st ch of this rnd (26 sts)

Head and Body

With light green and green yarn

With light green: Ch 2, sc 8 in second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: [inc] 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 2: 5x, light green, sc 1, inc, sc 1, green, inc, sc 1, inc (24 sts)
Rnd 3: sc 15, light green, sc 5, green, sc 4 (24 sts)
Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, 2x, light green, sc 5, green, inc, sc 3 (28 sts)
Rnd 5: sc 8, light green, sc 3, green, sc 7, light green, sc 5, green, sc 5 (28 sts)
Rnd 6: sc 8, light green, sc 4, green, sc 7, light green, sc 3, green, sc 6 (28 sts)
Rnd 7: sc 7, [inc] 2x, light green, [inc] 2x, sc 1, bobble dc 3, sc 1, bobble dc 3, green, sc 1, [inc] 4x, sc 8 (36 sts)
Rnd 8: sc 36 (36 sts)
Rnd 9: 12x (24 sts)
Rnd 10: [dec] 12x (12 sts)

Eye placement: Same as Light Green Version – between Rnds 6 and 7, stitches 10-11 and 16-17.

Rnd 11: FLO [inc] 6x (24 sts)
Rnd 12: sc 9, light green, bobble dc 5, green, sc 4, light green, bobble dc 5, green, sc 9 (24 sts)
Rnd 13: sc 10, [inc] 4x, sc 10 (28 sts)
Rnd 14: sc 28 (28 sts)

Joining the tail: Same as Light Green Version.

Rnd 15 continued: sc 6, light yellow, bobble dc 5, light green, sc 1, [dec] 4x, sc 1, light yellow, bobble dc 5, light green, sc 8 (24 sts)
Rnd 16: FLO 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 17: [dec] 8x (8 sts)

Left Ear

Same as Light Green Version but with light green yarn.

Right Ear

Same as Light Green Version but with green yarn attached in 21st st between Rnds 4 and 5.

Nose

With light pink yarn, add 3 small stitches between the bobble stitches between Rnds 6 and 7. Add another stitch horizontally down to Rnd 8.

Cheeks

With light pink yarn, add 2 small stitches under each eye (1 stitch long). Place them between Rnds 7 and 8, one stitch outward from each eye.

Spots

With light yellow yarn, add random stitches on the head and body.

Flower

With light yellow and orange yarn

With light yellow: Ch 2, sc 5 in second ch from hook.
Rnd 1 (orange): [slst 1, {ch 2 + hdc 1 + ch 2 + slst 1} to the same st] 5x, slst 1 in first sc of this rnd. Fasten off. (36 sts)

Glue the flower to the top of the head.

Pot

With bright brown yarn

Ch 2, sc 8 in second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: [inc] 8x (16 sts)
Rnd 2: 8x (24 sts)
Rnd 3: 8x (32 sts)
Rnd 4: BLO sc 32 (32 sts)
Rnd 5: 4x (36 sts)
Rnd 6-9: sc 36 (36 sts). Invisible fasten off.

Pot edge: Place the pot with the hole facing you. Attach a new bright brown yarn in the front loop of the 1st st of Rnd 9.
Rnd 1: {ch 2 (do not count as st) + hdc 1} to the same st, hdc 35. Invisible fasten off. (36 sts)
Fold this round down to finish the pot edge.

Finishing – Spotted Version

Place the cactus cat inside the pot.

Final Touches

Congratulations – your Mini Cactus Cat is complete! Whether you made the sweet Light Green Version with its heart-shaped pot or the playful Spotted Version with the folded pot edge, you now have an adorable amigurumi to display, gift, or sell.

These little cactus cats make wonderful:

  • Desk companions for plant lovers
  • Gifts for cat lovers who can’t keep real plants alive
  • Craft fair best-sellers
  • Quick charity crochet projects

Pattern by Easy Crochet Plushies. Find more patterns on Etsy and follow along on social media for more amigurumi fun!

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