He's Silent, He's Deadly... He's Made of Yarn: Your Free Ninja Cat Pattern is Here
He's Silent, He's Deadly... He's Made of Yarn
Your Free Ninja Cat Pattern is Here
The Myth of the "Cute" Amigurumi
When people hear "amigurumi," they picture round, cheerful animals with big, innocent eyes. And look, there's nothing wrong with that. I've made a small army of them myself. But the craft is so much more versatile. It's a form of sculpture. You can create anything—monsters, heroes, and yes, even silent assassins who happen to be cats. Kage here is proof that amigurumi can have attitude. He’s not just a toy; he’s a character with a backstory you can feel in every stitch.
The Way of the Hook: Becoming a Yarn Shinobi
Making Kage isn't just about following a pattern. It's a lesson in patience and precision, much like ninja training. Each tight single crochet is a building block of his stealth suit. Every invisible decrease shapes his agile form. You're not just looping yarn; you're mastering a discipline. Think of your crochet hook as your katana and the pattern as a secret scroll passed down through generations. Okay, maybe I wrote it last week, but the principle is the same! The goal is to create something seamless, strong, and with a hidden power that only reveals itself when complete.
Gallery of Shadows
Your Ninja Toolkit
- DK or Worsted weight cotton yarn in Dark Charcoal Gray (main body), Vibrant Red (scarf/belt), and Light Gray (sword).
- Small amount of white yarn or embroidery floss for eye glint.
- 2.5mm crochet hook (or size appropriate for your yarn).
- 10mm safety eyes.
- Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers.
- Polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
The Secret Code
- MR
- Magic Ring
- sc
- Single Crochet
- inc
- Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec
- Decrease (sc 2 together)
- st(s)
- Stitch(es)
- sl st
- Slip Stitch
- ch
- Chain
- hdc
- Half Double Crochet
- dc
- Double Crochet
- BLO
- Back Loop Only
- FLO
- Front Loop Only
- [...] xN
- Repeat instructions in brackets N times
The Scroll of Kage (Pattern)
Notes: - Work in continuous rounds. Do not join or turn unless stated otherwise. - Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. - Stuff firmly as you go, especially the head and body. HEAD (Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 6 sc in MR (6) R2: [inc] x6 (12) R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18) R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24) R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30) R6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36) R7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42) R8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48) R9-16 (8 rounds): sc in each st (48) R17: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42) R18: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36) R19: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30) R20: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24) Insert safety eyes between R14 and R15, about 8-9 sts apart. Start stuffing. R21: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18) R22: [sc, dec] x6 (12) Finish stuffing. R23: [dec] x6 (6) Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave through final 6 sts and pull tight to close. BODY (Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 6 sc in MR (6) R2: [inc] x6 (12) R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18) R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24) R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30) R6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36) R7-12 (6 rounds): sc in each st (36) R13: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30) R14-15 (2 rounds): sc in each st (30) R16: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24) R17-18 (2 rounds): sc in each st (24) R19: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18) Start stuffing. R20-21 (2 rounds): sc in each st (18) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing. EARS (Make 2, Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 4 sc in MR (4) R2: [sc, inc] x2 (6) R3: [2 sc, inc] x2 (8) R4: [3 sc, inc] x2 (10) R5: [4 sc, inc] x2 (12) Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff. ARMS (Make 2, Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 6 sc in MR (6) R2: [sc, inc] x3 (9) R3-10 (8 rounds): sc in each st (9) Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. LEGS (Make 2, Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 6 sc in MR (6) R2: [inc] x6 (12) R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18) R4: BLO sc in each st (18) R5-7 (3 rounds): sc in each st (18) R8: [sc, dec] x6 (12) R9: [dec] x6 (6) Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. TAIL (Dark Charcoal Gray) R1: 5 sc in MR (5) R2-15 (14 rounds): sc in each st (5) Do not stuff. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. SCARF (Vibrant Red) Ch 81. R1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across (80) Fasten off, weave in ends. BELT (Vibrant Red) Ch 41. R1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (40) Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. SWORD (Light Gray) Ch 16. R1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next 2, dc in next 10, (hdc, sc) in last ch. Fasten off, weave in ends.
Assembly: The Final Jutsu
Shinobi Secrets (Pro Tips)
Invisible Stitches: When assembling, use the yarn tails and a yarn needle. To make your seams disappear, insert your needle under the 'V' of the stitches on the body parts. This is the secret to a professional finish.
Stuffing is Key: Don't be shy with the fiberfill, especially in the head. A well-stuffed amigurumi holds its shape and just looks better. Use the end of your crochet hook or a pencil to push stuffing into all the corners.
Yarn Tension: The most important skill for a yarn shinobi is consistent tension. Pull your yarn tight enough that no stuffing shows through the stitches, but not so tight that the fabric becomes stiff. It's a balance you'll find with practice.
Your Mission is Complete!
You've done it. You've brought a ninja to life with your own two hands. Now, we want to see your creation! Share your finished Kage with us and join our clan of yarn shinobi.