Belinda the Crochet Caticorn

I’m so excited to kick off the fifth annual Softie Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet with a huggable crochet caticorn pattern! Belinda the Caticorn combines the a friendly cat with a mythical creature. Belinda is a low-sew softie including optional instructions for adding hair and flower embellishments.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Supplies for the sample were generously provided by Fairfield World.

When I was working on the design for Belinda the Crochet Caticorn, I knew I wanted to do something different from the other crochet caticorns I saw online. I decided to make Belinda large and with limited embellishments since many of the crochet caticorns I saw had a lot of adornments that seemed more feminine to me. Cats and unicorns are creatures loved by every gender, so Belinda is a bit more neutral. I did add instructions for Hair and Flowers, though, if you want to embellish your version more. I used yarn that I bought at my favorite local yarn shop, Knitty City, for this pattern.

Scroll down to get the free pattern for Belinda the Caticorn. This is the first pattern in the fifth annual Softie Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet. You can get all the details, including links to all 12 included patterns, and enter the giveaway to win one of three great prizes in this blog post. To join the Cozy at Home CAL:

  • Sign up for my newsletter to get reminders each week with the new patterns included.
  • You can join in by crocheting the patterns as you have time.
  • Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CALCentralCrochet on all social media. Tag #FairfieldWorld and #PolyFil when you use Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber Fill to stuff your softies.
  • If you’d like to chat with other crocheters, join the CAL Central Facebook group or visit this thread in the CAL Central Ravelry group.
  • By the end of the CAL, you’ll have up to 12 awesome softies to cuddle with!
  • Use this button below on your Ravelry project pages or elsewhere on social media. Right click (on desktop) or tap and hold (on mobile) to save.

If you make your own Belinda the Caticorn, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Underground Crafter on Ravelry

Belinda the Caticorn

Crochet Caticorn Pattern by Underground Crafter

This low-sew softie is a combination of a friendly cat and a mythical unicorn with a colorful horn and a braided tail. At about 12” (30.5 cm) tall, this crochet caticorn is also a huggable friend. This pattern is part of the fifth annual Softie Crochet Along.

Finished Size

  • Approximately 12” (30.5 cm) tall (excluding horn) after stuffing.

Materials

Gauge

  • Through Rnd 10 in pattern for Head = 4” (10 cm) diameter. Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Stitches should be tight so that fiber filling doesn’t show through.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • BL – back loop only – Fiber Flux has a helpful video for identifying the back loop here.
  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • ch – chain
  • invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. Planet June has a great invisible decrease tutorial here.
  • petal (optional, for flowers) – *Yo twice, insert hook in next st, +yo and draw up a loop, [yo and draw through 2 loops] twice,** yo twice, insert hook in same st,++ rep from + to ++ once, rep from + to ** once, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
  • pm# – place stitch marker number
  • rep – repeat
  • Rnd(s) – Round(s)
  • sc – single crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • yo – yarn over
  • * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
  • + Repeat instructions after plus sign as indicated.
  • [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • When choosing colors, note that CA is the color of the cat body while CB is the color of the unicorn Horn and Tail (and optional Hair and Flowers).
  • Note that my version of Belinda the Caticorn has the Tail positioned lower than I liked once it was stuffed. The pattern includes instructions for placing the Tail higher so that it is more visible.
  • Crochet over the yarn tails as you work. Fiber Flux has a helpful tutorial explaining how to do this here.
  • Oombawka Design has a helpful video tutorial for starting with the magic adjustable ring here.
  • A helpful video tutorial for making a 3-strand flat braid is available here. 
  • A helpful tutorial for seaming with the whipstitch is available here.
  • My version of Belinda the Caticorn is relatively unadorned. I looked at other crochet caticorns and wanted mine to be different, so it is simpler. If you’d like to add Hair or Flowers to your version, follow the optional directions as included in the pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Head

  • With CA, start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes).
  • Rnd 1: (Right Side) Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pull yarn tightly to close ring, pm#1 in last st to mark position.  Move marker up each Rnd. (6 sts)
  • Rnd 2:  2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
  • Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
  • Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (24 sts)
  • Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around. (30 sts)
  • Rnd 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] around. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 7: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts] around. (42 sts)
  • Rnd 8: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts] around. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 9: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts] around. (54 sts)
  • Rnd 10: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts] around. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 11: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts] around. (64 sts)
  • Rnd 12: Sc in each st around.
  • Rnds 13-15: Rep Rnd 12, 3 more times, pm#2 around a stitch on Rnd 15 to mark position for eyes. Do not move marker#2 until directed. Continue to move marker#1 each Rnd to mark end of Rnd.
  • Rnds 16-23: Rep Rnd 12, 8 more times.
  • Rnd 24: [Sc in next 14 sts, invdec] around. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 25: [Sc in next 8 sts, invdec] around. (54 sts)
  • Rnd 26: [Sc in next 7 sts, invdec] around. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 27: [Sc in next 6 sts, invdec] around. (42 sts)
  • Rnd 28: [Sc in next 5 sts, invdec] around. (36 sts)
  • Remove marker#1, fasten off CA with long yarn tail, approximately 18”/45.5 cm, for seaming.

First Leg

  • With CA, rep as for Head through Rnd 6.
  • Rnd 7: Sc in each st around.
  • Rnds 8-25: Rep Rnd 7, 18 more times. Remove marker#1, fasten off CA.

Second Leg

  • With CA, rep as for First Leg through Rnd 25 but do not remove marker#1 and do not fasten off.
  • Identify the eighteenth and nineteenth stitch from the hook. With pm#3, mark the eighteenth stitch on the Second Leg and a stitch on the First Leg. With pm#4, mark the nineteenth stitch on the Second Leg with the next stitch on the First Leg as shown in the photo below.

Join Legs

  • Rnd 26: Sc in next 17 sts on Second Leg, sc through both sts on both Legs marked by marker#3, remove marker, continue on the outer edge of First Leg, sc in next 34 sts, sc through both sts on both Legs marked by marker#4, pm#4 in last st made, sc in next 17 sts, continuing using marker#1 to mark last st of Rnd. (70 sts)

Torso

  • Rnd 27: Sc in each st around to st marked by marker#4, scBL in next st, return marker#4 to front loop of last st, sc in next st and each st around. Do not move marker#4 until directed. Continue to move marker#1 each Rnd to mark end of Rnd.
  • Rnd 28: Sc in each st around.
  • Rnds 29-39: Rep Rnd 28, 11 more times.
  • Rnd 40: [Sc in next 33 sts, invdec] around. (68 sts)
  • Rnd 41: [Sc in next 15 sts, invdec] around. (64 sts)
  • Rnd 42: [Sc in next 14 sts, invdec] around. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 43: [Sc in next 13 sts, invdec] around. (56 sts)
  • Rnd 44: [Sc in next 12 sts, invdec] around. (52 sts)
  • Lay Legs and Torso flat with marked side facing up as shown in the left photo below. Pm#5 to next corner after marker#1 as shown in the center photo below. Sc from marker#1 to 4 stitches BEFORE marker#5, pm#1 at current st, remove marker#5 as shown in the right photo below. Continue to move marker#1 each Rnd to mark end of Rnd.
  • Rnd 45: [Ch 8, skip 8 sts, sc in next 18 sts] around. (52 sts)
  • Rnd 46: *Sc in next 8 ch, [sc in next 7 sts, invdec] twice; rep from * around (48 sts).
  • Rnd 47: [Sc in next 10 sts, invdec] around. (44 sts)
  • Rnd 48: [Sc in next 9 sts, invdec] around. (40 sts)
  • Rnd 49: [Sc in next 8 sts, invdec] around. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 50: Sc in each st around. Remove marker#1, fasten off CA. With yarn needle, weave in yarn tail from end of Rnd 50.

Tail

  • Cut 18 pieces of CB, each measuring approximately 18”/45.5 cm long.
  • The version of the Tail shown in the photos below was made at the point where marker#4 is located. That turns out to be too low once the Torso is stuffed. These instructions will explain how to put the Tail in the right position.
  • Find the stitch centered 4 rows ABOVE marker#4, insert hook around the stitch 4 rows above marker#4. Once you are satisfied that you are centered at the back, remove marker#4.
  • Draw 3 strands of CB through stitch, then draw yarn through again to knot.
  • Continue this process of attaching 3 strands of CB to Torso in each of the 2 stitches directly to the right and left of that stitch. Continue this process by attaching 3 strands of CB to 3 stitches on the row directly above or below, until all 18 strands are attached.
  • Since the strands were folded in half, you now have 36 strands of yarn. Separate the strands into 3 groups, with 12 strands on the left, 12 strands in the center, and 12 strands on the right. Using these groups, you will braid the Tail (see Pattern Notes).
  • Once you reach the point where the strands are no longer even and some are too short to continue braiding, it’s time to tie off your braid. Cut another strand of CB to approximately 12” (30.5 cm). Wrap it tightly around the braid at the bottom and tie a knot, as shown in the photo below. Repeat wrapping the strand tightly and knotting at least 2 times. (Alternatively, you can use a hair elastic or scrunchie if you would like to have the option to re-braid the Tail. If you plan to gift the Caticorn to someone that likes braiding hair, this is the better option.)
  • Trim the knotted strand and the remaining strands from the braid until the ends are neat.

Optional: Adding 5-Petal Flowers (Make as many as desired)

  • Starting with long strand of CB (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for seaming, ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with sl st to next ch to form ring.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, 15 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
  • Rnd 2: Ch 4 (counts as sc + ch-3), *work petal (see Special Stitches) in next 2 sts, ch 3, sc in next st, ** ch 3; rep from * around, ending last rep at **, sl st to first ch of ch 4.
  • Fasten off. With yarn needle, weave in yarn tail from end of Rnd 2.
  • Thread yarn needle with CB from start of Flower, attach Flower to Torso as desired, being careful not to work through both layers of body.

Assemble Body and Add Arms

  • Stuff the Legs and Torso firmly with fiber filling.
  • With the top of the Torso (stuffing side out) facing you, join CA with sl st on the top of the chain-8 Arm hole. If you are crocheting right-handed, join at the right corner as shown below. If you are crocheting left-handed, join at the left corner.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 7 sts on top of Arm hole and next 8 sts on bottom of Arm hole, pm#1 in last st to mark position.  Move marker up each Rnd. (16 sts)
  • Rnd 2: Sc in each st around.
  • Rnds 3-20: Rep Rnd 2, 18 more times. Pm#1 into loop from last st, remove hook.
  • Stuff Arm with fiber filling, being sure to leave a small gap at the “arm pit” with no stuffing so Arm can lay flatter against the Torso. Return hook to loop and pm#1 in last st of Rnd 20. Continue to move up marker#1 each Rnd to mark position.
  • Rnd 21: Invdec, [invdec, sc in next st] around to last 2 sts, invdec. (10 sts)
  • Rnd 22: Invdec around. (5 sts)
  • Remove marker#1, fasten off CA with long yarn tail, approximately 12”/30.5 cm, for seaming.
  • Add stuffing to Arm if necessary. Thread yarn needle with CA from end of Arm. Seam Arm closed with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Weave in yarn tail on inside of Arm.
  • Repeat for second Arm.

Horn

  • With CB, ch 2.
  • Rnd 1: Skip 1 ch, 6 sc in next ch, pm#1 in last st to mark position.  Move marker up each Rnd. (6 sts)
  • Rnd 2: ScBL in next st and in each st to marked st, 2 scBL in marked st. (Increases by 1 st)
  • Rnds 3-15: Rep Rnd 2, 13 more times, or until there are 20 sts in total.
  • Rnd 16: SlstBL in next 5 sts, scBL in next 10 sts, slstBL in next 5 sts.
  • Remove marker#1, fasten off CB with long yarn tail, approximately 12”/30.5 cm, for seaming.

Ears (Make 2)

  • With CA, ch 2.
  • Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, 2 sc in next ch. (2 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st. (3 sts)
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across to last st, 2 sc in next st. (Increases by 1 st)
  • Rows 4-8: Rep Row 3, 5 more times, or until there are 9 stitches in total.
  • Remove marker#1, fasten off CA with long yarn tail, approximately 12”/30.5 cm, for seaming. With yarn needle, weave in yarn tail from starting chain of Ear.

Assembly

  • Position first safety Eye at Round marked by marker#2 on Head as desired. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washer firmly inside of Head. Repeat for second Eye. Position Nose centered between Eyes, approximately 2-3 Rounds below Eyes or as desired. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washer firmly inside of Head. Remove marker#2.
  • Stuff Head and Horn firmly with fiber filling.
  • Position Horn at top of Head towards the front side as desired. Use locking stitch markers to align stitches in Horn to position on Head. Thread yarn needle with CB from end of Horn. Join Horn to Head with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes), adding fiber filling if necessary as you seam. Weave in yarn tail on inside of Horn.
  • Position first Ear to top of Head as desired. Thread yarn needle with CA from last Row of first Ear. Join Ear to Head with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Weave in yarn tail on inside of Head. Repeat for second Ear.

Optional: Adding Hair

  • To add Hair, follow the process you used for creating the Tail.
  • Cut 18 pieces of CB, each measuring approximately 18”/45.5 cm long. Find a stitch centered at the back of the Head behind the Horn. Insert hook around the stitch. Once you are satisfied that you are centered at the back, draw 3 strands of CB through stitch, then draw yarn through again to knot.
  • Continue this process of attaching 3 strands of CB to Head in each of the 2 stitches directly to the right and left of that stitch. If you want to braid this Hair, continue this process by attaching 3 strands of CB to 3 stitches on the row directly above or below, until all 18 strands are attached. If you want the Hair to be loose, continue this process by 3 strands of CB to the stitches to the right and left on the same row, until all 18 strands are attached.
  • Since the strands were folded in half, you now have 36 strands of yarn. To braid this Hair, follow the same process for separating the strands into 3 groups, braiding, and knotting that you used for the Tail. If you want the Hair to be loose, trim the strands until the ends are neat.

Assembly Continued and Finishing

  • Position Head on Torso. Use stitch markers to hold Head to Torso as desired. Thread yarn needle with CA from last Round of Head. Join Head to Torso with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes), adding more fiber filling as needed as you seam. Weave in yarn tail on inside of Head.

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