Knitting Tutorial: Tabby Cat in Daisy Dungarees with Sunflower Bag – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted tabby cat wears soft green daisy dungarees over a cream ribbed turtleneck, red Mary Jane shoes, a daisy flower crown, and a cheerful sunflower shoulder bag. The finished scene also includes a tiny knitted ladybug and two little acorns, matching the woodland garden feeling shown in the photo.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English knitting terms and is worked mostly in the round with small flat pieces for details. The cat has a rounded head, plump cheeks, short arms, soft legs, a curved striped tail, pointed ears, embroidered tabby markings, shiny safety eyes, and a small pink nose.

The clothing is made to sit close to the toy body. The cream turtleneck is knitted as part of the upper body, while the green dungarees are built around the lower body with straps, button details, and embroidered white daisies. The sunflower bag is knitted separately and worn across the chest with a yellow strap.

Finished Size

• Cat height: about 10.5 in / 27 cm from shoe sole to ear tip.
• Head width: about 4.25 in / 11 cm across the cheeks.
• Body width: about 3.75 in / 9.5 cm at the widest part of the dungarees.
• Arm length: about 3 in / 7.5 cm.
• Leg length: about 3.25 in / 8 cm including shoes.
• Sunflower bag: about 2 in / 5 cm across.

Gauge

Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 in / 2.5 cm in stockinette stitch using toy yarn and US 2 / 2.75 mm needles. Gauge does not need to be exact, but the fabric must be firm enough that stuffing does not show through.

Use a smaller needle if your stitches look loose. The toy in the image has a compact, smooth knitted surface with visible fine rows, so a tight gauge is important for the rounded face, sturdy shoes, and neat dungarees.

Materials

• DK or sport weight yarn in white, gray, dark gray, cream, sage green, red, yellow, sunflower yellow, brown, black, and small amounts of pink.
• US 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop.
• US 1 / 2.25 mm needles for small flower petals and straps if you want extra neat details.
• Two 10 mm black safety eyes.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Two tiny wooden-look buttons for dungaree straps.
• Two tiny buttons for red shoe straps.
• Black embroidery thread for whisker dots and tabby lines.
• White and yellow embroidery thread for daisy centers and petals.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• Sts: stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through the back loop.
• M1L: make 1 left.
• M1R: make 1 right.
• St st: stockinette stitch.
• PM: place marker.
• SM: slip marker.

Important Construction Notes

The toy is worked from the feet upward so the shoes, legs, dungarees, turtleneck, and head align cleanly. The arms, ears, muzzle pads, tail, bag, flower crown, ladybug, and acorns are made separately and sewn on.

Stuff firmly but gently. The head in the photo is round and slightly wider than the body, with full cheeks and a small chin. The body is soft and straight through the sweater, then rounded through the dungarees.

When changing colors for tabby stripes, carry short floats loosely inside the work. For beginners, it is easier to knit the head in a pale gray base and add darker tabby stripes afterward using duplicate stitch and embroidery.

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Legs and Red Mary Jane Shoes

First Shoe and Leg

Start at the red shoe sole. Work in red yarn.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 6: K all sts.
6. Rnd 7: K8, k2tog 4 times, k8. 20 sts.
7. Rnd 8: K6, k2tog 4 times, k6. 16 sts.
8. Rnd 9: K all sts.

Change to cream yarn for the white shoe opening.

1. Rnd 10: K all sts.
2. Rnd 11: K4 red, k8 cream, k4 red if you want the oval white opening framed by red. For an easier version, knit this round in cream and embroider red edges later.
3. Rnd 12: K all sts in red.

Change to white yarn for the lower cat leg.

1. Rnd 13: K all sts through the back loop to make a firm edge above the shoe.
2. Rnds 14 to 21: K all sts. Stuff the shoe and lower leg lightly as you go.
3. Break yarn and place the 16 sts on a holder.

Second Shoe and Leg

Repeat the first shoe and leg exactly, but do not break the yarn after Rnd 21. Keep both legs on needles with the toes facing forward. The red shoes should sit flat, with the white oval openings centered on the front of each foot.

Shoe Straps

Make two red straps. These create the Mary Jane look shown in the image.

1. CO 12 sts in red.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. BO knitwise.

Sew one strap across each cream shoe opening. Attach one small button to the outside edge of each shoe. The buttons should sit low and slightly outward, just like the small tan buttons visible on the red shoes.

Joining the Legs and Knitting the Green Dungaree Body

Place the 16 sts from the first leg and 16 sts from the second leg onto needles. Use sage green yarn for the dungarees.

1. Rnd 1: K16 across first leg, CO 4 sts for center front, k16 across second leg, CO 4 sts for center back. 40 sts.
2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
3. Rnd 3: K10, kfb, k18, kfb, k10. 42 sts.
4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
5. Rnd 5: K11, kfb, k20, kfb, k9. 44 sts.
6. Rnds 6 to 18: K all sts in sage green.

These rounds form the rounded lower dungarees. Stuff the legs and lower body firmly. Keep the front smooth because the daisies will be added later.

Shaping the Waist

1. Rnd 19: K9, k2tog, k10, ssk, k9, k2tog, k10, ssk. 40 sts.
2. Rnd 20: K all sts.
3. Rnd 21: K8, k2tog, k10, ssk, k8, k2tog, k8, ssk. 36 sts.
4. Rnd 22: K all sts.

The waist should narrow slightly under the cream turtleneck. Do not over-stuff here. The toy should have a soft, childlike shape, not a hard cylinder.

Cream Turtleneck Sweater Body

Change to cream yarn. The sweater begins directly above the dungarees and creates the thick ribbed collar visible in the photo.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts through the back loop. 36 sts.
2. Rnds 2 to 10: K all sts in cream.
3. Rnd 11: K7, k2tog, repeat around. 32 sts.
4. Rnds 12 to 15: K all sts.

Ribbed Turtleneck Collar

1. Rnd 16: K2, p2, repeat around.
2. Rnds 17 to 23: K2, p2, repeat around.
3. Rnd 24: K2tog around. 16 sts.

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Stuff the body up to the collar. The ribbed collar should stand up around the neck like a cozy roll neck. Do not close the neck yet because the head will be sewn above it.

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through the remaining 16 sts and pull lightly, but leave a small flat top for sewing the head securely.

Dungaree Bib

The bib sits on the front of the cream sweater and reaches from the waist to just under the collar. Work flat in sage green.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Rows 3 to 12: Continue in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 13: K2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2. 16 sts.
6. Row 14: P all sts.
7. Row 15: K2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. 14 sts.
8. Row 16: P all sts.
9. Row 17: K all sts.
10. BO knitwise.

Sew the bib to the front center of the body. The lower edge should overlap the top edge of the dungaree pants. Leave the top edge slightly curved and neat.

Dungaree Straps

Make two straps in sage green.

1. CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the strap measures 3.75 in / 9.5 cm.
5. BO knitwise.

Sew each strap from the back waist, over the shoulder, and down to the top corner of the bib. Attach a small tan button at the front end of each strap. The straps should angle slightly outward like the photo.

Head

The head is worked in light gray and white, then detailed afterward. The photo shows a white center face with gray tabby sides and a white muzzle area. For the cleanest result, knit the head in light gray and use white duplicate stitch or intarsia for the face panel.

Work in the round with light gray yarn.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: K all sts.
8. Rnd 7: K3, kfb, repeat around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: K all sts.
10. Rnd 9: K4, kfb, repeat around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: K all sts.
12. Rnd 11: K5, kfb, repeat around. 56 sts.
13. Rnds 12 to 25: K all sts.

White Face Panel Placement

On Rnds 13 to 25, work the center front 16 sts in white if you are comfortable carrying colors. Keep the white panel centered. It should run from the forehead down to the nose area, forming the bright white blaze seen in the image.

For a beginner-friendly method, knit all rounds in light gray and later duplicate stitch a white panel that is 16 sts wide at the lower face and narrows to 8 sts wide between the eyes.

Head Decreases

1. Rnd 26: K5, k2tog, repeat around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 27: K all sts.
3. Rnd 28: K4, k2tog, repeat around. 40 sts.
4. Rnd 29: K all sts.
5. Rnd 30: K3, k2tog, repeat around. 32 sts.
6. Rnd 31: K all sts.
7. Rnd 32: K2, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 20 and 21, about 10 sts apart. The eyes should be large, glossy, and slightly low on the face. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks outward with your fingers.

1. Rnd 33: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 34: K2tog around. 8 sts.
3. Break yarn and draw through remaining sts.

Muzzle Cheeks

The cat has two round white muzzle pads that meet under a small pink nose. Make two identical pieces in white.

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 6: K all sts.
6. Rnd 7: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. Break yarn, leaving a long tail.

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Stuff each cheek very lightly. Sew the two cheeks side by side below the eyes. They should touch in the center, creating the rounded white lower face visible in the photo.

Pink Nose and Mouth

Use pink yarn or embroidery thread. Stitch a small rounded triangle where the two muzzle pads meet. The nose should be centered and slightly raised.

• Make 6 to 8 satin stitches across a space about 0.4 in / 1 cm wide.
• Add one short vertical pink stitch below the nose.
• Add two tiny curved mouth stitches, one going down left and one going down right.

Use dark gray or black thread for three short whisker lines on each side. Keep them subtle, because the photo shows delicate facial details rather than heavy lines.

Ears

Make two ears. Each ear has a gray outer shape and pale inner panel. Work flat.

Outer Ear

1. CO 18 sts in light gray.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: K1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Row 7: K1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
9. Row 8: P all sts.
10. Row 9: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
11. Row 10: P all sts.
12. Row 11: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
13. Row 12: P all sts.
14. Row 13: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
15. Row 14: P all sts.
16. Row 15: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
17. Row 16: P all sts.
18. Row 17: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
19. BO.

Inner Ear

Make two smaller triangles in pale gray or white.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Row 7: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
9. Row 8: P all sts.
10. Row 9: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
11. Row 10: P all sts.
12. Row 11: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
13. BO.

Sew one inner ear onto each outer ear. Fold the base of each finished ear slightly inward before sewing to the head. Place the ears high and wide, with the tips leaning outward.

Tabby Markings

The gray tabby pattern is created with embroidery and duplicate stitch. Use dark gray yarn or thread. Keep the markings soft and slightly irregular, matching the handmade look of the photo.

• Add 5 narrow vertical forehead stripes above the eyes.
• Make the center stripe the longest, running down toward the white blaze.
• Add 3 short dark lines on each cheek side, curving slightly outward.
• Add small dark stitches around the outer eye corners to suggest tabby fur.
• Add darker edging around the ears and a few small stitches near the ear bases.

Arms and Cream Sweater Sleeves

Make two arms. The paws are white and the sleeves are cream.

1. CO 8 sts in white.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 5: K all sts.
4. Rnd 6: K2, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
5. Change to cream yarn.
6. Rnds 7 to 20: K all sts.
7. Rnd 21: K2, k2tog, repeat around. 9 sts.
8. Rnd 22: K all sts.
9. Break yarn and draw through remaining sts.

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Stuff the paws lightly and the sleeves only a little. The arms in the image are soft and hang outward from the shoulder, slightly rounded at the ends. Sew them to the sides of the sweater just below the collar.

Striped Tail

The tail is white and gray with a darker tip, curving out from behind the dungarees on the right side. Work in the round and stuff lightly as you go.

1. CO 8 sts in dark gray.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 4: K all sts in dark gray.
4. Rnds 5 to 7: K all sts in white.
5. Rnds 8 to 10: K all sts in gray.
6. Rnds 11 to 13: K all sts in white.
7. Rnds 14 to 16: K all sts in gray.
8. Rnds 17 to 20: K all sts in white.
9. Rnd 21: K2, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
10. Rnd 22: K all sts.
11. Break yarn, draw through remaining sts, and close.

Sew the tail to the back lower body, slightly to the cat’s right side. Curve it around so the striped end peeks from beside the dungarees.

Daisies on the Dungarees

The green dungarees are covered with small white daisies. You can embroider them directly onto the knitted fabric after the body is stuffed. Place them across the front bib, belly, legs, and side areas.

Embroidered Daisy Method

• Use white yarn or embroidery thread for petals.
• Use yellow yarn or embroidery thread for centers.
• Each daisy has 5 or 6 short straight stitches for petals.
• Each center is one small yellow French-style knot or several tiny straight stitches.
• Make about 14 daisies total: 3 on the bib, 7 across the front pants, and 4 around the sides.

Keep the daisies unevenly spaced for a natural handmade look. The flowers in the photo are small, bright, and scattered rather than arranged in strict rows.

Knitted Daisy Flower Crown

The flower crown sits across the top of the forehead between the ears. It is made from a green knitted cord with tiny white daisies sewn along it.

Green Crown Cord

1. CO 4 sts in green.
2. Work an I-cord for 6.25 in / 16 cm: K4, slide stitches back to the other end of the needle, and repeat.
3. BO and leave a long tail for sewing.

Tiny Knitted Daisy

Make 6 daisies for the crown.

1. CO 10 sts in white.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K2tog 5 times. 5 sts.
4. Break yarn and draw through the 5 sts tightly to gather into a small flower.
5. Sew the two ends together so the petals fan out.
6. Add a yellow center with 3 small stitches.

Sew the daisies along the green cord. Place one daisy at the center, two on each side, and one near the outer edge. Sew the crown across the forehead, slightly overlapping the ear bases.

Sunflower Shoulder Bag

The sunflower bag hangs across the cat’s body from the left shoulder to the right hip. It has a yellow strap, bright yellow petals, and a brown spiral center.

Brown Bag Center

Work in brown yarn.

1. CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: K all sts.
8. BO loosely.

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Using brown yarn, embroider a spiral on the center. Start in the middle and work outward in a smooth circle. This gives the sunflower the raised seed-center look shown in the image.

Yellow Petals

Make 14 small petals in sunflower yellow.

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: K all sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Row 7: SSK, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
9. Row 8: P all sts.
10. Row 9: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
11. Row 10: P2tog. 1 st.
12. Fasten off.

Sew the petals evenly around the brown center. Slightly overlap each petal so the sunflower looks full and ruffled. The petals should form a round flower about 2 in / 5 cm wide.

Bag Back

Make a second plain circle in yellow or brown for the back.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
7. BO loosely.

Sew the back circle to the sunflower front around the edge, adding a tiny pinch of stuffing between the layers. Do not over-stuff. The bag should sit flat against the dungarees.

Yellow Shoulder Strap

1. CO 4 sts in yellow.
2. Work an I-cord for 12.5 in / 32 cm.
3. BO and leave long tails.

Sew one end of the strap to the upper left side of the sunflower and the other end to the upper right side. Place the strap over the cat from shoulder to opposite hip. Tack the strap at the back shoulder and side waist so it stays in place.

Ladybug Prop

The tiny ladybug sits near the cat on the bench in the image. This is optional but completes the scene beautifully.

1. CO 6 sts in black.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts in black.
4. Change to red.
5. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 4 to 7: K all sts.
7. Rnd 8: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Rnd 9: K2tog around. 6 sts.
10. Break yarn and close.

Embroider a black line down the red back. Add 3 tiny black spots on each side. Add two small white stitches on the black head for eyes.

Acorn Props

Make two acorns, one slightly darker and one lighter, to match the small woodland pieces in the lower left of the image.

Acorn Nut

1. CO 6 sts in tan or light brown.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 8: K all sts.
6. Rnd 9: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 10: K2tog around. 6 sts.
9. Close firmly.

Acorn Cap

1. CO 18 sts in dark brown.
2. Rnds 1 to 4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 6: K2tog around. 6 sts.
5. Close and sew to the top of the acorn nut.

Add a short brown I-cord stem by CO 3 sts and working 3 rows of I-cord. Sew the stem to the top of the cap.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head securely to the cream turtleneck. Check that the white face panel is centered over the bib.
2. Sew the ears high on the head, angled slightly outward.
3. Sew the muzzle pads under the eyes and add the pink nose, mouth, whiskers, and tabby lines.
4. Sew the arms to the sweater sides and angle them gently downward.
5. Sew the tail to the back right side so it peeks out beside the dungarees.
6. Attach the dungaree bib, straps, and buttons.
7. Embroider daisies across the dungarees.
8. Place the flower crown across the forehead and stitch it firmly between the ears.
9. Hang the sunflower bag across the body and tack the strap in place.
10. Add the ladybug and acorns as separate display props.

Care Notes

Spot clean the toy with cool water and mild soap. Do not soak the safety eyes, buttons, or embroidered details. Press gently with a towel and reshape the head, cheeks, shoes, and sunflower petals while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The eyes are even and placed low enough for a sweet kitten expression.
• The muzzle pads are round and balanced.
• The tabby stripes are soft, narrow, and centered.
• The dungaree straps cross cleanly over the shoulders.
• The sunflower bag rests at the front hip.
• The red shoes sit flat and show white oval openings.
• The flower crown is visible between the ears.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished cat away from strong sunlight to protect the green dungarees, red shoes, and yellow sunflower from fading. Keep the toy dry and dust it gently with a soft cloth.

If the toy is displayed on wood or outdoors for photos, place it on a clean dry surface. After photographing, check the shoes, tail, and flower crown for dust or tiny fibers, then brush them lightly with your fingers.

For long-term storage, wrap the cat loosely in acid-free tissue or a clean cotton cloth. Avoid crushing the ears, muzzle, bag petals, and daisy crown. Keep the ladybug and acorns in a small pouch so the tiny props do not get lost.