Knitting Tutorial: Tuxedo Cat Autumn Fisherman Overalls Doll – Free Knitting Pattern.

This charming knit tuxedo cat doll wears golden autumn fisherman overalls over a bright blue striped shirt, red shoes with white toes, and a matching red rolled-brim hat with a white pom-pom. The design includes a black-and-white cat face, round yellow eyes, whiskers, a blue flower clip, a tiny fish patch, and a brown crossbody fishing bag.

 

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 designed to create a soft stuffed tuxedo cat doll inspired by the image. The finished doll has a large rounded head, small triangular ears, a compact stuffed body, short arms, rounded legs, a curved tail with a white tip, layered clothing, and removable-style accessories.

The cat is worked mostly in stockinette stitch for the smooth knitted texture shown in the photo. The clothing pieces are knitted separately and sewn on so the overalls, shirt stripes, shoes, hat, bag, flower, and decorative details sit clearly on the doll.

• Finished size: about 11 inches tall from shoes to ear tips.
• Skill level: adventurous beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: small pieces knitted flat, seamed, stuffed, and assembled.
• Main texture: stockinette stitch with garter, ribbing, and small embroidered details.
• Seam allowance: use mattress stitch where possible for neat shaping.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in black for the head, ears, arms, legs, and tail.
• Worsted weight yarn in white for muzzle, face blaze, paws, toe panels, and tail tip.
• Worsted weight yarn in pumpkin orange for the autumn overalls.
• Worsted weight yarn in medium blue and light blue for the striped shirt.
• Worsted weight yarn in red for shoes and hat.
• Small amounts of yellow, sky blue, green, brown, tan, pink, and gray-blue yarn for details.
• US 3 knitting needles, or size needed to make a firm fabric.
• US 4 knitting needles for the hat only if you want a slightly softer drape.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two 12 mm yellow safety eyes or sew-on doll eyes.
• Two small brown buttons for overall straps.
• One tiny wooden or tan button for the fishing bag flap.
• Black, white, pink, and brown embroidery thread.
• Blunt tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers, sewing pins, and scissors.

Gauge

Exact gauge is less important than creating a dense fabric that hides stuffing. For a doll close to the photo, aim for 6 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch using worsted weight yarn and US 3 needles.

If your stitches are loose, go down one needle size. If your fabric is very stiff and difficult to sew, go up one needle size. The doll in the image has a smooth, firm knit surface with visible but compact stitches.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• Sts: stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch.
• Pfb: purl into front and back of same stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows.
• Garter stitch: knit every row.

Important Notes Before You Start

• Use small, even stitches so the stuffing does not show through.
• Stuff each piece firmly but not so tightly that the seams stretch open.
• Pin every clothing piece in place before sewing so the proportions match the image.
• The head is intentionally large, about the same height as the torso and overalls combined.
• The face should be centered, with the white blaze running vertically between the eyes.
• The overalls sit high on the chest, with short legs ending just above the black ankles.

Head

The head is round and slightly wide, with black sides and a white central blaze. Knit the basic head in black first, then add the white face panel separately so the tuxedo markings look clean and raised like the photo.

Black Head Base

1. With black yarn and US 3 needles, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: P across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st across. 24 sts.
4. Row 3: P across.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb across to last st, K1. 46 sts.
6. Row 5: P across.
7. Row 6: K4, kfb, repeat from K4, kfb to last st, K1. 55 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 23: Work in St st, beginning with a P row.
9. Row 24: K4, k2tog, repeat across to last st, K1. 46 sts.
10. Row 25: P across.
11. Row 26: K3, k2tog, repeat across to last st, K1. 37 sts.
12. Row 27: P across.
13. Row 28: K2, k2tog, repeat across to last st, K1. 28 sts.
14. Row 29: P across.
15. Row 30: K1, k2tog, repeat across to last st, K1. 19 sts.
16. Row 31: P across.
17. Row 32: K2tog across to last st, K1. 10 sts.
18. Cut yarn, leaving a 16 inch tail. Thread through remaining sts but do not pull fully closed yet.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the back seam from the cast-on edge to the gathered top. Stuff firmly while shaping the head into a rounded oval. Pull the top closed and secure. The widest point should sit across the eyes and cheeks.

White Face Blaze

The tuxedo marking is a narrow white shape that begins high on the forehead, widens between the eyes, then blends into the white muzzle. This piece is sewn onto the black head after stuffing.

1. With white yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Row 3: K1, kfb, K1, kfb, K1. 7 sts.
5. Row 4: P across.
6. Row 5: K across.
7. Row 6: P across.
8. Row 7: K1, kfb, K3, kfb, K1. 9 sts.
9. Rows 8 to 14: Work in St st.
10. Row 15: SSK, K5, k2tog. 7 sts.
11. Row 16: P across.
12. Row 17: SSK, K3, k2tog. 5 sts.
13. Row 18: P across.
14. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Place the narrow end at the top center of the forehead, about 4 rows below the head crown. Sew down the center front. The lower edge should sit just above the muzzle pieces.

Muzzle and Nose

The muzzle is made from two rounded white cheek pads. They should look puffy and soft, forming a heart-like lower face under the pink nose.

Left Muzzle Pad

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in St st.
5. Row 9: P2tog across. 8 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull lightly.

Right Muzzle Pad

1. Repeat the left muzzle pad exactly.
2. Stuff each pad lightly before closing.
3. Sew both pads side by side under the white blaze.
4. Let the inner edges touch at the center line.

Pink Nose

1. With pink yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Row 3: K2tog, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. Row 4: P across.
6. BO all sts.

Sew the pink nose at the top center of the muzzle pads. Use pink embroidery thread to stitch a short vertical line down between the pads, then stitch two small curved mouth lines.

Ears

The ears are black, triangular, and slightly rounded at the base. They lean outward from the top sides of the head, matching the photo.

Make Two Black Outer Ears

1. With black yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in St st.
3. Row 5: SSK, K12, k2tog. 14 sts.
4. Row 6: P across.
5. Row 7: SSK, K10, k2tog. 12 sts.
6. Row 8: P across.
7. Row 9: SSK, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 10: P across.
9. Row 11: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. Row 12: P across.
11. Row 13: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
12. Row 14: P across.
13. Row 15: SSK, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
14. Row 16: P across.
15. Row 17: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
16. Row 18: P2tog. 1 st.
17. Fasten off.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Ear Assembly

• Fold each ear slightly at the base to create a shallow cup.
• Sew one ear to each side of the head crown, angled outward.
• The lower ear corners should sit just above eye level.
• Add a few small black stitches at the base to hold the ears upright.

Eyes, Whiskers, and Face Details

The image shows large round yellow eyes with black centers. Place the eyes wide enough to give the cat a sweet expression, but keep them close to the white blaze.

1. Place the eyes between rows 14 and 17 of the head, about 8 sts apart.
2. If using safety eyes, insert before final head closing. If sewing eyes on, stitch firmly after stuffing.
3. Use white embroidery thread to make two tiny eyebrow lines above the eyes.
4. Use white or clear nylon thread for whiskers, three strands on each side.
5. Anchor whiskers into the outer edge of each muzzle pad and trim evenly.

For a photo-matched look, keep the whiskers long and fine. They should extend past the black cheeks, with the center whiskers nearly horizontal and the upper and lower whiskers slightly angled.

Body

The body is hidden mostly by the orange overalls, but it still needs a stable pear shape. Knit the torso in black because the visible neck, upper arms, and ankle areas are black.

1. With black yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1: P across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 28 sts.
4. Row 3: P across.
5. Row 4: K3, kfb, repeat across. 35 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 20: Work in St st.
7. Row 21: P across.
8. Row 22: K4, k2tog, repeat across to last 5 sts, K5. 30 sts.
9. Row 23: P across.
10. Row 24: K3, k2tog, repeat across. 24 sts.
11. Rows 25 to 28: Work in St st.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Sew the back seam. Stuff the lower body firmly and the shoulder area slightly less firmly so the head can sit securely. Sew the head to the body with several rounds of strong stitching at the neck.

Legs

The legs are short and rounded. Only the black ankle area shows above the red shoes, because the overalls cover most of the upper legs.

Make Two Legs

1. With black yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: P across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 24 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 14: Work in St st.
5. Row 15: P across.
6. Row 16: K2, k2tog, repeat across. 18 sts.
7. Row 17: P across.
8. Row 18: K1, k2tog, repeat across. 12 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and seam the back.

Stuff each leg firmly. Sew the legs to the lower body with a small gap between them, leaving enough space for the overalls crotch seam to sit between the legs.

Arms and White Paws

The arms are black at the upper section with rounded white paws. In the image, the white paws begin near the wrists and are slightly oval.

Make Two Arms

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: P across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 20 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in St st.
5. Change to black yarn.
6. Rows 9 to 24: Work in St st.
7. Row 25: K2, k2tog, repeat across. 15 sts.
8. Row 26: P across.
9. Row 27: K1, k2tog, repeat across. 10 sts.
10. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and seam.

Stuff paws more firmly than the upper arms. Sew arms to each side of the body just below the shoulder line. Angle them slightly downward so they rest beside the overalls.

Tail

The tail is black with a white tip. It curves outward from the side and appears behind the left leg in the photo.

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: Work in St st.
3. Change to black yarn.
4. Rows 9 to 34: Work in St st.
5. Row 35: K2, k2tog, repeat across to last 2 sts, K2. 8 sts.
6. Row 36: P across.
7. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the long seam to form a narrow tube. Stuff lightly so the tail remains flexible. Shape a gentle curve while sewing it to the back left side of the body. The white tip should point outward.

Blue Striped Shirt

The shirt has short sleeves and horizontal blue stripes. It sits under the overalls and shows clearly at the neck, sleeves, and upper chest.

Shirt Body Panel

1. With medium blue yarn, CO 42 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Knit across for a small garter hem.
3. Rows 3 to 4: Work St st in medium blue.
4. Rows 5 to 6: Work St st in light blue.
5. Rows 7 to 8: Work St st in medium blue.
6. Rows 9 to 10: Work St st in light blue.
7. Rows 11 to 12: Work St st in medium blue.
8. Rows 13 to 14: Work St st in light blue.
9. Rows 15 to 16: Work St st in medium blue.
10. Row 17: K across.
11. BO all sts.

Wrap the shirt panel around the upper body with the seam at the back. Sew it in place just below the head. The top edge should look like a snug blue collar.

Short Sleeves

1. Make two sleeves.
2. With medium blue yarn, CO 20 sts.
3. Rows 1 to 2: Knit across.
4. Rows 3 to 4: Work St st in light blue.
5. Rows 5 to 6: Work St st in medium blue.
6. Rows 7 to 8: Work St st in light blue.
7. BO all sts.

Wrap one sleeve around the top of each arm, overlapping slightly at the inner arm. Sew the sleeve seam, then tack the upper edge to the shoulder area so it looks connected to the shirt body.

Autumn Fisherman Overalls

The overalls are the main clothing piece. They are pumpkin orange with a high bib, two straps, short pant legs, button details, and a tiny blue fish patch on the front pocket area.

Overall Pants Front

1. With pumpkin orange yarn, CO 36 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: Knit across for a garter lower edge.
3. Row 4: P across.
4. Rows 5 to 18: Work in St st.
5. Row 19: K16, BO 4 sts, K16. This creates the center crotch space.
6. Row 20: P16, turn. Work left leg first.
7. Rows 21 to 28 on left leg: Work in St st over 16 sts.
8. Rows 29 to 31: Knit across for cuff edge.
9. BO 16 sts.
10. Rejoin yarn to right leg and work rows 20 to 31 the same way.

Overall Pants Back

1. Make the back exactly like the front, but do not add bib shaping.
2. After both pant pieces are complete, sew side seams.
3. Sew the inner leg seams, leaving the crotch opening neat and centered.
4. Slide the pants onto the doll before adding the bib.

Front Bib

1. With pumpkin orange yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Rows 3 to 18: Work in St st.
5. Rows 19 to 21: Knit across to create a subtle top edge.
6. BO all sts.

Sew the bib to the front top edge of the pants. It should cover the lower half of the striped shirt and sit high on the chest, just below the arms.

Overall Straps

1. Make two straps.
2. With pumpkin orange yarn, CO 5 sts.
3. Knit every row until strap measures 4 inches.
4. BO all sts.

Sew the back end of each strap to the back waist. Cross them slightly over the shoulders if needed for fit, then bring them down to the front bib. Sew a small brown button at each front strap end.

Overall Texture Stitches

To mimic the vertical knitted texture visible on the overalls, add light surface stitch lines after sewing. Use pumpkin orange yarn and a tapestry needle.

• Work one vertical duplicate-stitch line down the center front of the bib.
• Work two subtle vertical lines on the pants front, one over each leg.
• Keep the stitches soft and low so the overalls still look smooth.

Blue Fish Patch

The fish patch is small, sky blue, and sits on the center front of the orange bib. It has a rounded body, a tiny tail, and a small black eye.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K4, kfb. 8 sts.
5. Row 4: P across.
6. Row 5: K2tog, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
7. BO all sts.
8. For the tail, CO 4 sts with sky blue yarn.
9. Row 1: K across.
10. Row 2: P across.
11. Row 3: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
12. BO and sew to the fish body.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the fish to the front center of the bib. Add one small black stitch for the eye and two short blue stitches for body lines.

Red Shoes with White Toes

The shoes are bright red with rounded white toe panels. Each shoe has a small yellow flower on the outer side near the strap area.

Make Two Shoe Bases

1. With red yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 20 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in St st.
5. Row 9: K6, BO 8 sts, K6.
6. Row 10: P6, CO 8 sts over gap, P6. 20 sts.
7. Rows 11 to 16: Work in St st.
8. Row 17: K2, k2tog, repeat across. 15 sts.
9. Row 18: P across.
10. Row 19: K1, k2tog, repeat across. 10 sts.
11. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and seam back of shoe.

White Toe Panels

1. Make two panels.
2. With white yarn, CO 8 sts.
3. Row 1: K across.
4. Row 2: P across.
5. Row 3: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
6. Rows 4 to 7: Work in St st.
7. Row 8: P2tog, P6, p2tog. 8 sts.
8. BO all sts.

Sew one white panel onto the front of each red shoe. Add two or three vertical white stitches on each panel to mimic the soft toe shaping shown in the image.

Yellow Shoe Flowers

1. For each flower, use yellow yarn and CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 3 rows, BO, and curl the tiny strip into a petal.
3. Make 5 petals for each flower.
4. Sew the petals in a small circle on the outer side of each shoe.
5. Add one small yellow or orange knot in the center.

Slide the shoes onto the lower legs and sew them securely around the ankles. The shoes should look rounded and slightly oversized, like soft doll shoes.

Red Rolled-Brim Hat

The red hat sits beside the doll in the image, but this pattern makes it wearable. It has a rolled brim, rounded crown, and a fluffy white pom-pom.

1. With red yarn and US 4 needles, CO 48 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: Work in St st. The edge will naturally roll upward.
3. Rows 9 to 24: Continue in St st.
4. Row 25: K6, k2tog, repeat across. 42 sts.
5. Row 26: P across.
6. Row 27: K5, k2tog, repeat across. 36 sts.
7. Row 28: P across.
8. Row 29: K4, k2tog, repeat across. 30 sts.
9. Row 30: P across.
10. Row 31: K3, k2tog, repeat across. 24 sts.
11. Row 32: P across.
12. Row 33: K2, k2tog, repeat across. 18 sts.
13. Row 34: P across.
14. Row 35: K1, k2tog, repeat across. 12 sts.
15. Row 36: P across.
16. Row 37: K2tog across. 6 sts.
17. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and seam the back.

White Pom-Pom

• Wrap white yarn around three fingers 45 times.
• Tie tightly through the center with a 12 inch strand.
• Cut loops and trim into a round pom-pom.
• Sew firmly to the top of the red hat.

Roll the lower hat edge upward to create the thick brim. The brim should be soft and rounded, not sharply folded.

Brown Crossbody Fishing Bag

The bag is small, textured, and brown. It hangs from a diagonal strap across the chest and rests on the cat’s right hip. A tan fish-shaped button or small decorative button sits on the front flap.

Bag Body

1. With brown yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit across.
3. Rows 5 to 16: Work in St st.
4. Rows 17 to 20: Knit across for flap texture.
5. BO all sts.

Fold the lower 12 rows upward to create a pouch. Let the garter section fold over as the flap. Sew side seams with brown yarn.

Bag Strap

1. With brown yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until strap measures 11 inches.
3. BO all sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew one end of the strap to each side of the bag. Place the strap diagonally from the cat’s left shoulder to the right hip. Tack it lightly to the shirt and overalls so it stays in the same position as the photo.

Bag Button Detail

• Sew a tiny tan button to the lower right front of the flap.
• If you do not have a fish button, embroider a small fish shape with tan thread.
• Add one short horizontal stitch for the fish body and one split stitch for the tail.

Blue Flower Hair Clip

The blue flower sits near one ear with a green stem or clip shape behind it. It is placed on the cat’s upper left side, close to the ear base.

Flower Center

1. With yellow yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. BO all sts and roll into a small round center.

Blue Petals

1. Make six petals with sky blue yarn.
2. CO 4 sts.
3. Row 1: K across.
4. Row 2: P across.
5. Row 3: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Green Clip

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 8 rows.
3. BO all sts.

Sew the petals around the yellow center. Attach the green strip behind the flower so it peeks out like a clip or leaf. Sew the flower to the head beside the left ear.

Optional Pocket Shaping on the Overalls

The image shows a small shaped front area under the fish patch. You can add this as a subtle patch pocket for extra accuracy.

1. With pumpkin orange yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Knit across.
3. Rows 3 to 8: Work in St st.
4. Row 9: SSK, K10, k2tog. 12 sts.
5. Row 10: P across.
6. BO all sts.

Sew the pocket to the center front of the bib before attaching the blue fish. Keep the pocket edges flat and place the fish patch centered on top.

Assembly Order

1. Knit and stuff the head, body, legs, arms, and tail.
2. Sew the head to the body securely.
3. Add the white face blaze, muzzle pads, pink nose, eyes, mouth, and whiskers.
4. Sew ears to the top sides of the head.
5. Attach legs and arms to the body.
6. Sew the tail to the back left side.
7. Wrap and sew on the striped shirt body and sleeves.
8. Sew the overall pants, slide them onto the doll, and secure at the waist.
9. Add the front bib, straps, buttons, pocket, and fish patch.
10. Make and attach shoes with white toe panels and yellow flowers.
11. Make the crossbody bag and tack the strap diagonally across the chest.
12. Make the red hat and white pom-pom.
13. Sew the blue flower clip near the ear.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the face from the front before tying off any embroidery threads. The white blaze should be centered, the muzzle should be balanced, and the pink nose should sit between the eyes and mouth.

• Use small hidden stitches to tighten loose clothing areas.
• Add extra stuffing through open seams before final closure if the doll looks flat.
• Trim whiskers evenly after all sewing is finished.
• Brush the pom-pom gently with your fingers to make it round.
• Make sure the shoes sit level so the doll can rest neatly when displayed.

Care Notes

This doll is best used as a decorative handmade item. Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap. Avoid soaking, twisting, or machine drying, especially if you used safety eyes, buttons, or a handmade pom-pom.

• Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.
• Reshape the ears, shoes, and hat while damp.
• Keep away from pets that may pull off buttons or whiskers.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round, firm, and larger than the body.
• White face blaze is centered between the yellow eyes.
• Two white muzzle pads are puffy and even.
• Orange overalls sit high with visible straps and buttons.
• Blue fish patch is centered on the bib pocket.
• Brown bag crosses from shoulder to hip.
• Red shoes have white toe panels and yellow flowers.
• Red hat has a rolled brim and white pom-pom.
• Blue flower clip is attached near the ear.
• Tail curves to the side with a white tip.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished tuxedo cat doll in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Long exposure to bright light can fade the red hat, orange overalls, and blue shirt stripes.

For dust removal, use a soft clean brush or a lint roller with very gentle pressure. If the doll needs deeper cleaning, dab the stained area with a damp cloth and let it dry naturally.

• Do not bleach the white muzzle, paws, or tail tip.
• Do not iron the stuffed pieces.
• Keep the doll in a breathable cotton bag for long-term storage.
• Check buttons and decorative pieces occasionally and restitch them if they loosen.

Your tuxedo cat autumn fisherman overalls doll is now complete, with its cozy striped shirt, bright overalls, tiny fishing bag, red hat, flower clip, and soft handmade personality ready for display.