Landscape featured image showing a gray-and-white kitten nestled inside a tan, gray, and black striped crochet cat basket beside large text reading “Crochet Cat Basket Pattern” on a bright white background.

Crochet cat cave pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

Give your cat a cozy little hideaway with this chunky crochet cat basket. The rounded cave shape creates a snug place to curl up and nap, while the striped design makes it a cute handmade addition to your home.

It’s a fun pet project to make for your own cat or give to another cat lover.

Quick answer

This advanced beginner crochet cat basket is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds using super bulky weight (#6) yarn and an M/N-13 (9 mm) crochet hook. A flat circular base, straight wall rounds, and gradual half double crochet decreases create the enclosed cat cave shape. The finished basket measures approximately 12 inches wide by 12 inches tall with a 7.5-inch opening.

Crochet cat basket pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Advanced beginner — This pattern uses half double crochet stitches, simple increases and decreases, back-loop-only and front-post stitches, color changes, joined rounds, and basic shaping.

Materials needed

  • M/N-13 (9 mm) crochet hook
  • Super bulky weight yarn #6 in tan, gray, and black
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Starch spray, optional

I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Oatmeal and Grey Marble, along with black super bulky yarn.

Best yarn for a crochet cat basket

Use a super bulky weight yarn that creates a thick, firm fabric. Wool blends and sturdy acrylic yarns work well because they provide more structure than soft, loosely spun yarn.

Avoid yarn that sheds heavily or has long fibers your cat may pull loose.

The finished basket weighs approximately 486 grams or 17.1 ounces, although the exact amount needed for each color was not recorded.

Finished size

The finished basket measures about 12 inches across and 12 inches tall, with a 7.5-inch opening. Compare these measurements with your cat’s size before starting.

This pattern is written for one size. Changing the number of base increases or straight wall rounds will also change the decrease shaping and opening, so the upper shaping rounds would need to be recalculated.

Square crochet pattern graphic featuring a gray-and-white kitten sitting inside a textured striped cat basket with bold text reading “Crochet Cat Basket Pattern” and Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Gauge

9 half double crochet stitches and 8 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) using the M/N-13 (9 mm) crochet hook

Gauge does not need to be exact, but it will affect the finished size, firmness, and shape of the cat basket.

  • If you have too many stitches in 4 inches, try a larger crochet hook.
  • If you have too few stitches in 4 inches, try a smaller crochet hook.

My guide to crochet gauge explains how to measure your stitches and adjust your hook size.

Crochet abbreviations

  • blo = back loop only
  • ch = chain
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • FPhdc = front post half double crochet
  • hdc2tog = half double crochet two together
  • st/sts = stitch/stitches

Pattern notes

  • The pattern is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds.
  • The beginning ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first half double crochet.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks for the remainder of the round.
  • Check the stitch count after every increase and decrease round.
  • Color changes are included, but you may use one color throughout.
  • The pattern is written using US crochet terms.
Pinterest pin featuring a gray-and-white kitten peeking out of a cream, gray, and black striped crochet cat basket beneath bold text reading “Crochet Cat Basket Pattern” and “Free Pattern.”

Free crochet cat basket pattern

Crochet the basket base

Begin with tan yarn.

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2 and work 10 hdc into the ring. Join. (10 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (20 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in the next st; repeat from * around. Join. (30 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (40 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (50 sts)

Round 6: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (80 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2. *Work 2 hdc in the next st and 1 hdc in each of the next 8 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (100 sts)

Crochet the lower basket walls

Round 11: Ch 2. Hdc in the blo of each st around. Join. (100 sts)
Round 12: Ch 2. Work 1 FPhdc around the post of each st around. Join. (100 sts)
Rounds 13–16: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (100 sts)

Change to black yarn.
Rounds 17–18: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (100 sts)

Change to gray yarn.
Rounds 19–23: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (100 sts)

Change to black yarn.

Shape the upper cat cave

Round 24: Ch 2. *Hdc2tog, hdc in each of the next 8 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (90 sts)
Round 25: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (90 sts)

Change to tan yarn.
Round 26: Ch 2. *Hdc2tog, hdc in each of the next 7 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (80 sts)
Round 27: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (80 sts)
Round 28: Ch 2. *Hdc2tog, hdc in each of the next 6 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (70 sts)
Round 29: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (70 sts)
Round 30: Ch 2. *Hdc2tog, hdc in each of the next 5 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)

Change to black yarn.
Round 31: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 32: Ch 2. *Hdc2tog, hdc in each of the next 4 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (50 sts)

Fasten off and weave in all loose yarn ends.

How to stiffen a crochet cat basket

The basket may be soft when you first finish crocheting it. Starch spray can add structure and help the walls and opening hold their shape.

  1. Shape the basket with your hands.
  2. Lightly spray the inside and outside with starch spray.
  3. Check that the base is flat and the opening is evenly rounded.
  4. Allow the basket to dry completely without moving it.
  5. Repeat the process if you want a firmer finish.

Do not let your cat use the basket until it is completely dry. Follow all safety and handling instructions printed on the starch product.

Finishing the cat hideaway

Flatten the base, straighten the walls, and adjust the top opening until the basket sits evenly.

Care and cleaning

Remove loose fur with a lint roller, soft brush, or handheld vacuum.

Spot clean the basket with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Blot the area gently and allow it to air dry completely.

Avoid machine washing or soaking the basket when starch spray has been used because the basket may lose its shape. Reshape it by hand while damp and allow it to dry before your cat uses it again.

Handmade chunky crochet cat basket hideaway made with thick striped yarn.

More free crochet patterns for cats

Browse my collection of free crochet patterns for cats for more handmade cat beds, pods, toys, blankets, and pet-friendly projects.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Pinterest graphic showing a kitten inside a chunky striped crochet cat hideaway with large text reading “Crochet Cat Basket Pattern” and “Free Tutorial,” surrounded by yarn, paw print, and heart doodles.