This lacy cat granny motif is such a sweet crochet project for cat lovers. The design creates a soft openwork cat face with pointed ears, a rounded lower face, and airy chain spaces that let the motifs join into a beautiful mesh fabric.

You can use this crochet cat motif pattern to make a lightweight shawl, baby blanket, scarf, table runner, or decorative panel. The sample style shown in the image uses one soft pastel color and joins the motifs diagonally so the finished fabric looks delicate, light, and elegant.

Description

The finished motif looks like a stylized cat head with two pointed ears and a rounded face. Small open spaces help define the shape, while chain loops around the motif make it easy to join several pieces together. When repeated, the motifs create a lovely geometric cat lace fabric with diamond-shaped openings between the cats. The sample effect is especially pretty in pale aqua, mint, baby blue, cream, or soft pink yarn.

Materials

• Lightweight cotton or cotton-blend yarn
• 3 mm to 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers, optional
• Blocking pins and mat, recommended

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• MR – magic ring
• rep – repeat
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st – stitch
• tr – treble crochet

Pattern Notes

• This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
• Each motif is worked in joined rounds.
• The design is inspired by the visible cat-head lace motif and is written as an original pattern.
• The motif includes five key outer joining points:
  • chin point
  • left cheek point
  • left ear point
  • right ear point
  • right cheek point
• The motifs may be joined as you go on the final round or sewn/joined later with chain arches.
• Light blocking helps open the lace and sharpen the ear points.
• For a fabric like the one in the image, arrange the motifs in staggered rows.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cat Motif

Round 1 – Face Center

Make an MR.

Ch 3, then work 15 dc into the ring.

Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.

You should have 16 dc in the round.

Pull the magic ring closed firmly.

Round 2 – Shape the Cat Head

Ch 1.

Work the following around the 16 stitches:

• sc in next 2 sts
• hdc in next 2 sts
• (dc, ch 2, dc) in next st – left cheek point
• dc in next st
• (tr, ch 2, tr) in next st – left ear
• sc in next st – between ears
• (tr, ch 2, tr) in next st – right ear
• dc in next st
• (dc, ch 2, dc) in next st – right cheek point
• hdc in next 2 sts
• sc in last 3 sts

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

At this stage, the cat face shape should be visible, with two ears at the top and two cheek points at the sides.

Round 3 – Refine the Shape

Sl st into the first stitch if needed so you are positioned near the lower center of the face.

Ch 1.

Work the following around the motif:

• (sc, ch 2, sc) in the lower center area between the last stitch and first stitch of the round – chin point
• sc in next 3 sts
• hdc in next 2 sts
• (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in left cheek ch-2 sp
• dc in next dc
• hdc in the stitch before the ear
• (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in left ear ch-2 sp
• sc in center stitch between ears
• (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in right ear ch-2 sp
• hdc in the stitch after the ear
• dc in next dc
• (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in right cheek ch-2 sp
• hdc in next 2 sts
• sc in remaining 3 sts

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

The motif should now have a rounded cat face, clear pointed ears, and shaping points at the chin and cheeks.

Round 4 – Joining Loop Round

This round adds the outer loops used for joining the motifs into lace fabric.

Ch 1.

Work around the motif as follows:

• In chin ch-2 sp: (sc, ch 4, sc)
• sc evenly along the next face stitches until you reach the left cheek point
• In left cheek ch-2 sp: (sc, ch 4, sc)
• work sc evenly to the left ear point
• In left ear ch-2 sp: (sc, ch 4, sc)
• sc in the stitch between the ears
• In right ear ch-2 sp: (sc, ch 4, sc)
• work sc evenly to the right cheek point
• In right cheek ch-2 sp: (sc, ch 4, sc)
• work sc evenly along the remaining lower face stitches

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off if you plan to join later.

You now have one finished cat granny motif.

Make More Motifs

Repeat the motif pattern until you have the number of cat motifs needed for your project.

Suggested starting quantities:

• 6 to 8 motifs for a small scarf panel
• 12 to 20 motifs for a shawl or wrap
• 25 or more motifs for a baby blanket or decorative throw panel

Joining the Motifs

There are two simple ways to join the motifs.

Option 1 – Join As You Go

Work Round 4 on the new motif as usual.

Whenever you reach a joining loop that should connect to a completed motif, replace:

• ch 4

with:

• ch 2, sl st into the matching joining loop on the completed motif, ch 2

Then continue the round.

This method creates neat, airy joins and avoids extra sewing.

Option 2 – Join After All Motifs Are Made

Place two motifs right sides up.

Join yarn in one joining loop of the first motif.

Ch 2, sl st into the matching loop of the second motif, ch 2, sl st back into the first motif if needed to secure the bridge.

Repeat at the required joining points.

This method makes it easier to arrange your design before connecting everything.

How to Arrange the Fabric

To create the same general style as the image, arrange the motifs in staggered rows.

First Row

Place the first motif.

Place the second motif beside it and join:

• right cheek loop of motif 1
  to
• left cheek loop of motif 2

Continue across the row in the same way.

Second Row

Place the next motif slightly lower, centered under the space between two motifs above.

Join:

• left ear loop of the new motif to the right cheek loop of the upper-left motif
• right ear loop of the new motif to the left cheek loop of the upper-right motif

Continue placing more motifs across the row in the same staggered arrangement.

Continue Building the Panel

Repeat the staggered placement row by row.

This creates the open diamond lace spaces visible between the cat motifs.

For a triangular shawl, use fewer motifs at the top and increase the number in each lower row.

For a rectangular blanket or runner, keep the row lengths consistent after the first setup.

Edge Finishing

If you want a cleaner outer edge, add a light border after joining all motifs.

Simple Border

Join yarn at any outer loop.

Work:

• sc in each stitch
• (sc, ch 3, sc) in large outer corner or point loops

Continue around the entire piece.

Join with a sl st and fasten off.

This simple border helps stabilize the mesh without taking away from the cat motif design.

Tips & Variations

Use smooth yarn with good stitch definition so the cat shape shows clearly.

Pastel or light solid colors work especially well for this design because they highlight the lace texture and ear shape.

Block every motif before or after joining if you want the neatest result. Blocking helps open the diamonds between motifs and makes the cat faces more even.

For a denser fabric, use a slightly smaller hook. For a more open and drapey fabric, use a slightly larger hook.

This motif also works beautifully for:

• a crochet baby blanket
• a cat-themed shawl
• a lightweight scarf
• a decorative window panel
• a table runner
• a crochet accessory pouch panel

If you want a more playful version, try using different colors for each cat motif while keeping the joining yarn all one color.

FAQ

Is this a granny square pattern?

It is a granny-style crochet motif, but it is not a classic square. It is a shaped cat motif designed to be repeated and joined into a lace fabric.

Can beginners make this cat motif?

Yes, if you are already comfortable with basic stitches like sc, hdc, dc, tr, and working in the round. The joining becomes easier after the first few motifs.

Can I sew the motifs together instead of crocheting the joins?

Yes. You can sew them together with a yarn needle, but crocheted chain joins will keep the same open lace look shown in the design.

Conclusion

This lacy cat granny motif is a fun and charming crochet project that turns simple stitches into an eye-catching cat-themed fabric. Whether you use it for a shawl, blanket, runner, or decorative panel, the repeated cat heads and airy joins create a soft handmade piece full of personality. Save this free crochet pattern and try it in your favorite gentle colors for a truly lovely crochet motif project.