Shelf Cat

Shelf Cat by Louisa Noble

What is Being Made

The Shelf Cat is a charming knitted toy designed by independent designer Louisa Noble. This finished stuffed cat measures approximately 15cm (6 inches) tall and features a flat bottom, making it ideal for displaying on shelves, bedside tables, or other decorative spaces. The cat's face is embroidered rather than knitted, adding character and detail to the completed project.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Shelf Cat is constructed using a bottom-up knitting approach, beginning with a small cast-on that increases progressively to create the body shape. The pattern employs strategic increases to form the cat's silhouette, starting from just 5 stitches and expanding through multiple increase rows to reach 33 stitches. The body is worked primarily in the round using double-pointed needles after the initial flat bottom section is completed on standard needles. A single centre back seam is sewn to close the toy once knitting is complete. The embroidered face adds the finishing touch, allowing crafters to customize the cat's expression with hand-stitched details.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Cast-on: Initial cast-on creates the foundation for the flat bottom
• Purl stitch: Used for alternate rows during the bottom shaping phase
• Knit stitch: Forms the primary fabric throughout the pattern
• Increases (Inc 1): Multiple increase rounds create the expanding body shape, with increases worked across rows to achieve the desired dimensions
• Circular knitting: Worked in the round using double-pointed needles for seamless construction of the body
• Embroidery: Hand-stitched details for the face, eyes, and other facial features
• Seaming: Centre back seam sewn using the cast-on tail for a neat finish

Materials Required

This intermediate-level knitting project uses DK weight yarn throughout. Crafters will need 50 grams of grey DK yarn for the main body (Yarn A), 10 grams of pink DK yarn for accent details (Yarn B), and small amounts of black and green DK yarn for embroidering the face and eyes. The pattern calls for UK size 11 / US size 3 / 3mm needles for the main knitting, along with three double-pointed needles (DPNs) of the same 3mm size for working the body in the round. The cast-on tail is retained and used for sewing the centre back seam, eliminating the need for additional yarn for seaming.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Shelf Cat pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with basic stitches, increase techniques, and transitioning between flat and circular knitting methods. Experience with double-pointed needles and basic embroidery skills will enhance the crafting experience.