Black Cat Granny Square Crochet Cardigan Outfit – Free Pattern

This black cat granny square crochet cardigan outfit is an original Witchy Crochet motif garment made from 44 four-round squares. A planned 4-by-4 back, two 2-by-4 fronts, and two 2-by-3 sleeves create a relaxed 42-inch adult M/L cardigan with eight carefully placed cat-face squares.

Every motif follows the same counted four-round structure and blocks to 5.25 inches. Thirty-six standard squares provide the moonlit black-and-plum ground, while eight cat squares receive ears, eyes, and whiskers only after blocking. Flat slip-stitch joins keep the grid crisp.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 5 mm motifs; 4.5 mm cuffs and edging
• Finished Size: Adult M/L: approximately 42-inch chest, 21-inch body length, and 19-inch sleeves
• Gauge: One blocked four-round square measures 5.25 inches
• Terminology: US
• Estimated Time: 24–30 hours
• Construction: Join 44 blocked squares into a 4-by-4 back, two 2-by-4 fronts, and two 2-by-3 sleeves; add cuffs and edging.
• Skill level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love This Project

The portable squares make a full garment manageable in short sessions, and the layout can be checked on a table before joining. Repeating one measured motif also makes color placement easy to control while the black-cat faces remain special focal points.

Materials

• Approximately 1,450 yards worsted-weight yarn in black
• Approximately 500 yards worsted-weight yarn in deep plum
• Approximately 180 yards worsted-weight yarn in moonlit cream
• Approximately 60 yards worsted-weight yarn in muted gold for eyes and stars
• 5 mm crochet hook
• 4.5 mm crochet hook for cuffs and edging
• Twenty locking stitch markers
• Tape measure
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and rustproof pins

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

Four blocked 5.25-inch squares create a 21-inch back width, while the two 2-square fronts together add another 21 inches for a 42-inch circumference. If a square is larger or smaller, change hook size before making the full set rather than forcing the motifs during joining.

Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

• ch: chain
• dc: double crochet
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only

Special stitch guidance: Corner increase: work 2 dc, ch 2, and the stated final dc in the marked corner stitch. Corner chains do not count as stitches. Complete color changes on the final yarn-over before the next stitch.

Important Notes

• Make 44 squares total: 36 standard moon squares and 8 cat-face squares.
• Beginning chains do not count as stitches; mark all four corner stitches after every round.
• Block every motif to exactly 5.25 inches before adding cat details or joining.
• Keep all squares facing the same direction during the flat slip-stitch join.

Complete Instructions for Black Cat Granny Square Crochet Cardigan Outfit

Crochet 44 Four-Round Squares

Alternate black and plum outer rounds while keeping the blocked size identical.

1. Square Round 1: With moonlit cream or plum, work 12 dc in a magic ring. Mark stitches 3, 6, 9, and 12 as corners, join, and do not turn. (12 sts)
2. Square Round 2: Repeat [dc in next 2 stitches, work 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the marked corner stitch] four times. Move each marker to the first corner stitch and join. (24 sts)
3. Square Round 3: Repeat [dc in next 5 stitches, work 2 dc, ch 2, 1 dc in the marked corner stitch] four times. Join without turning. (32 sts)
4. Square Round 4: Change to black and repeat [dc in next 7 stitches, work 2 dc, ch 2, 1 dc in the marked corner stitch] four times. Join and fasten off. (40 sts)
5. Wet-block each square to 5.25 inches with four square corners. Make 36 standard squares and reserve 8 for cat faces.

Turn Eight Squares into Black-Cat Motifs

Add details only to fully dry blocked squares.

1. For each ear, chain 5 with black, sc in the second chain, hdc in the next, dc in the next, and tr in the last chain. Fasten off. Make 16 ears.
2. Pin two ears behind the upper edge of each reserved square and sew through the black outer round. Keep the pointed ends extending no more than 1 inch.
3. With muted gold, embroider two almond-shaped eyes over the center round. Add a small plum nose and three straight cream whiskers on each side.
4. Make 8 finished cat-face squares: place 3 on each front and 2 in the upper-back layout.

Join the Back and Fronts

Arrange all cat faces upright before joining.

1. Lay out the back as 4 squares across by 4 squares tall. Place two cat squares in the upper two rows and join neighboring edges with black flat slip stitches through matching back loops.
2. Lay out each front as 2 squares across by 4 squares tall, placing three cat squares on each front. Join the vertical and horizontal grid lines.
3. Join the outer top two squares of each front to the corresponding two squares at the top of the back. Leave the center top edge open for the neck.
4. Join each side from the lower edge through the first two square rows, leaving the upper two square rows open for the armholes.

Build and Attach the Sleeves

Each sleeve uses a 2-by-3 rectangle of standard squares.

1. Arrange 6 standard squares as 2 across by 3 long and flat-slip-stitch the grid. Repeat for the second sleeve.
2. Fold each rectangle lengthwise, matching the long edges, and join the sleeve seam from upper arm to wrist.
3. Match the sleeve midpoint to the shoulder seam and the sleeve seam to the body side marker. Pin around the two-square armhole and join evenly with black slip stitches.

Add Ribbed Cuffs and Opening Edge

Use the 4.5 mm hook and black yarn.

1. At one wrist, join yarn and work 32 sc evenly around. Join. Chain 9, sc in the second chain and next 7 chains, then slip stitch to the next cuff stitch. Turn. (8 sc)
2. Repeat 8 BLO sc ribbing rows around the wrist, joining one short row to each cuff stitch until all 32 cuff stitches are used. Seam the first and last rib rows. Repeat on the other sleeve.
3. Join black at the lower right front and work two even sc rounds up the front, around the neck, and down the opposite front, placing 3 stitches for every 4 motif-edge stitches.

Assembly and Shaping

Use removable markers at every square corner before joining. Complete horizontal grid lines first, then vertical lines, and compare the joined back and fronts after each line. When attaching sleeves, match the four square corners around the armhole before pinning the spaces between them.

Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.

Finishing

1. Weave motif tails into same-color back loops and reverse direction once.
2. Secure ear tips, eyes, noses, and whisker ends so no loose strand remains on the right side.
3. Wet-block the assembled cardigan to a 42-inch chest and 21-inch body length without stretching the joins.
4. Let the garment dry flat, then inspect all 44 motifs, every grid join, both sleeves, cuffs, and the complete opening edge.

For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.

Helpful Tips

• Block the first completed square before making the remaining 43.
• Stack motifs in groups of four to compare size and corner position.
• Photograph each planned grid before joining so the cat faces stay upright.
• Use a smaller hook only for cuffs and edging; changing hook size mid-motif will distort the grid.

Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make the cardigan larger?

Use a larger blocked square size after swatching, or add one vertical square column to the back and distribute matching width across the fronts. Recalculate sleeve and shoulder joins before beginning.

Can I change the number of cat squares?

Yes. Keep the total at 44 and replace any standard square with a cat-face square after blocking; preserve upright orientation in the final grid.

How do I keep the joins flat?

Match every corner first, work slip stitches through corresponding back loops, and keep the joining yarn relaxed rather than pulling each stitch tight.

Conclusion

The finished black cat granny square crochet cardigan outfit turns one reliable counted motif into a dramatic, wearable grid. Exact blocking, planned cat placement, and flat joins keep the original 44-square design balanced from every angle.