Cats Afghan Crochet Free Pattern

If you adore cats and love to crochet, the Cats Afghan is a wonderful project that brings both passions together in one cozy design. Created by Sandra Miller Maxfield and originally published in Hooked On Crochet Magazine No. 66, this charming blanket celebrates our feline friends with bold color and playful style.

Featuring vibrant shades of purple, green, red, and pink against a striking black background, the design resembles a row of artistic cats sitting side by side. It’s eye-catching, fun to make, and perfect for adding personality to your home.

📏 Finished Size

Approximately 50½” x 54″ (not including fringe)

🧶 Materials

Worsted-weight yarn
- 18 oz Black
- 15 oz each of Green, Purple, Red, and Pink
Crochet Hook: Size I (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Gauge: 3 dc = 1″; 7 dc rows = 4″
Original Yarn Used: Red Heart Jeweltones
Skill Level: ★★ Intermediate

🪡 Stitches Used

Chain (ch)
Double Crochet (dc)
Slip Stitch (sl st)

This project is worked primarily in double crochet and follows a color graph, making it ideal for crocheters who are comfortable changing colors and reading charts.

🧵 Instructions

Row 1

Using black yarn, chain 166.
Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn.
(164 dc)

Important: Each square on the color graph represents 2 double crochets.

When changing colors:

Drop the unused yarn to the wrong side of your work.
Use a separate skein or ball for each color section.
Do not carry yarn across large sections.
Fasten off each color when its section is complete to keep the back neat.

Row 2

Chain 3, dc in the next stitch.
Following the color graph, work:

2 dc in black → change to green
16 dc in green → change to purple
12 dc in purple → change to black
30 dc in black → change to red
16 dc in red → change to black
4 dc in black

Repeat the pattern across the row as indicated on the graph.
End with dc in the last 2 stitches. Turn.

Rows 3–24

Chain 3, dc in the next stitch.
Work across the graph twice, continuing to change colors according to the chart.
End each row with dc in the last 2 stitches. Turn.

Rows 25–93

Repeat Rows 2–24 consecutively, following the established color pattern from the graph.

Row 94

Using black yarn only, chain 3 and double crochet in each stitch across.
Fasten off.

✂️ Fringe

Cut 4 strands of black yarn, each 21 inches long.
Hold the strands together and fold them in half.
Insert your hook into an edge stitch, pull the folded loop through, then draw the loose ends through the loop.
Tighten securely and trim evenly.

Attach fringe in every other stitch along each short end of the afghan.

🎨 Color Legend

■ Black
■ Purple
■ Red
■ Pink
■ Green

(Remember: Each square on the graph equals 2 double crochets.)

💡 Tips & Inspiration

This afghan looks beautiful draped over a sofa, displayed on a bed, or gifted to a fellow cat lover. You can easily personalize it by adjusting the color palette—try gray cats on a cream background for a realistic touch, or soft pastels for a more delicate look.

It also makes a heartfelt handmade gift for pet owners who cherish their furry companions just as much as their crochet projects.

📥 Free PDF Pattern

At the end of this article, you’ll find the free downloadable PDF of the Cats Afghan pattern, complete with the color-change graph to guide you step by step.

Free Download PDF Here

Happy crocheting! 🧶🐱