Jiji the Cat

Both anime lovers and non- are aware of the famous Hayao Miyazaki, who created Princess Mononoke and many other heartwarming animations. So here's my first attempt at a pattern to make Jiji the cat from his movie Kiki's Delivery Service! Availability: free (Note: This pattern is based on the free Jiji Pattern by Christine Wang from KISS - The Home Hub and has been modified and republished with her permission. Do not sell this pattern or products made from it.) Skill level: Easy Size: 10 inches (25 cm) tall Materials: Crochet hook - size G (4 mm) Black yarn - worsted (I used Caron One Pound) A little pink yarn White and black felt White and black thread Polyester stuffing Tapestry and embroidery needles Stitch marker Abbreviations: ch = chain rnd = round sc = single crochet sc2tog = sc decrease st = stitch Tips: The cat is worked in continuous rounds; do not join or turn unless otherwise instructed (see amigurumi video tutorial). Place a stitch marker to indicate beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed. After each initial "ch 2, work _ sc into first ch" step, pull the tail tight to close the first ch so that the hole disappears. I find this to be easier than magic ring.

HEAD/BODY Ch 2, work 8 sc into first ch. Rnd 1: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 4 times - 12 sc. Rnd 2: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 6 times - 18 sc. Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 27 sc. Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 36 sc. Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 45 sc. Rnd 6-7: Sc in each sc around - 45 sc. Rnd 8: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 54 sc. Rnd 9: Sc in each sc around - 54 sc. Rnd 10: *Sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 45 sc. Rnd 11: Sc in each sc around - 45 sc. Rnd 12: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 36 sc. Rnd 13: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 27 sc. Rnd 14: *Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 18 sc. Rnd 15-16: Sc in each sc around - 18 sc. Stuff head and continue. Rnd 17: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 27 sc. Rnd 18: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 3 times; *sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 32 sc. Rnd 19-20: Sc in each sc around - 32 sc.

Rnd 21: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 8 times - 40 sc. Rnd 22-23: Sc in each sc around - 40 sc. Rnd 24: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 5 times - 45 sc. Rnd 25-30: Sc in each sc around - 45 sc. Rnd 31: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 54 sc. Rnd 32: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 63 sc. Rnd 33-38: Sc in each sc around - 63 sc. Rnd 39: Working in back loops only, *sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times 54 sc. Rnd 40: *Sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 45 sc. Rnd 41: *Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 36 sc. Rnd 42: *Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 27 sc. Rnd 43: *Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 18 sc. Stuff body and continue. Rnd 44: *Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 6 times - 12 sc. Rnd 45: *Sc2tog* repeat 6 times - 6 sc. Slip st into first st. Fasten off.

EARS (make 2) Ch 2, work 4 sc into first ch. Rnd 1: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 6 sc. Rnd 2: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 8 sc. Rnd 3: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 10 sc. Rnd 4: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 12 sc. Rnd 5: Sc in each sc around - 12 sc. Rnd 6: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 14 sc. Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around - 14 sc. Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 16 sc. Rnd 9: Sc in each sc around - 16 sc. Rnd 10: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 18 sc. Rnd 11: Sc in each sc around - 18 sc. Slip st into first st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. PAWS/LEGS (make 2) Ch 2, work 6 sc into first ch. Rnd 1: *2 sc in next sc* repeat 6 times - 12 sc. Rnd 2: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 3 times - 15 sc. Rnd 3-4: Sc in each sc around - 15 sc. Rnd 5: *Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 5 times - 10 sc. Stuff the paw. Rnd 6-13: Sc in each sc around - 10 sc. Row 14: Flatten the leg (rnds 6-13), ch 1, and 5 sc across the top of the flattened hole, thus sealing the hole. Row 15: Ch 1, turn, 5 sc in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing the length of the leg onto the body. TAIL Ch 2, work 8 sc into first ch. Rnd 1: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 4 times - 12 sc. Rnd 2-31: Sc in each sc around; lightly stuff tail along the way - 12 sc. Slip st into first st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

EYES (make 2) Cut out a large circle from the white felt. Cut out a small oval from the black felt. Use the black thread to lightly sew the black oval onto a white circle, using the running stitch. Here are some reference images of Jiji.

FINISHING (see joining amigurumi tutorial) Flatten the ears so they look like triangles. Slightly curve the ear forward in one direction. Sew each ear to the top of the head with black yarn. The closer they are together, the more alert Jiji looks. Sew the tail to the base of the body with black yarn. Bend the paws so they are perpendicular to the legs, and use the whip stitch with black yarn to keep it bent. Sew the legs to the front of the body. Sew the eyes to the face with white thread, using the running stitch. Embroider a small noise using the pink yarn. (I simply made two running stitches, one above the other.) Optional: add whiskers to the face. (I didn't have time but you could consider black thread, yarn, or even wire if you don't have small children.) Hide the yarn ends by pulling them through the stuffed animal and cutting off the excess yarn.

Pattern and images 2009, property of the author of A Gamers Wife blog