Intro

Meet the Indie Bookshop Keeper Cat: a warm-sand tabby cat wearing a white tee, a honey-colored cardigan with three tiny buttons, a forest-green pleated skirt, and polished brown loafers. Accessories include a charcoal beret, a “Support Indie Bookshops” tote, a barcode scanner prop, a small order notebook, a tea cup with a dangling tea bag tag, a PAID stamp, and a stack of three mini books.

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

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Materials

• Worsted (Category 4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn
  1. MC (Cat fur): warm sand/beige, 130 g
  2. B (Stripes/Ear rims): taupe or medium brown, 25 g
  3. C (Muzzle/inner ear): cream, 25 g
  4. D (Cardigan): honey/mustard, 55 g
  5. E (T-shirt): white, 35 g
  6. F (Skirt): forest green, 55 g
  7. G (Loafers): chestnut brown, 40 g
  8. H (Beret): charcoal gray, 30 g
  9. I (Tote + stamp handle + book pages): natural/wheat, 35 g
  10. J (Scanner + stamp pad + cup rim): graphite/dark gray, 20 g
  11. K (Tea details + book covers): pastel mix (sage, brick, navy), small amounts
  12. L (Lettering/embroidery): black and white, scraps
  13. Blush/Nose: soft pink thread/yarn scraps
• Hooks: 3.0 mm for amigurumi; 3.25–3.5 mm for garments & accessories
• Safety eyes 9 mm (2)
• Polyester stuffing
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
• Optional: small snaps for cardigan; thin plastic/cardboard to stiffen books and stamp; a short piece of floral wire for the scanner handle (omit for children)

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Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – magic ring
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• inc – increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec – invisible decrease
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• rep – repeat
• fo – fasten off

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Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (3.0 mm, sc spiral): ~6 sts × 7 rows = 1″ × 1″ (2.5 × 2.5 cm).
• Finished height: ~10–11″ (25–28 cm) standing to top of beret.
  Work with a firm tension so stuffing doesn’t peek through, and the loafers keep shape.

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Construction Overview

The cat is built in separate pieces—head with muzzle, ears (lined), body, arms, legs/feet, and tail—then sewn. Stripes are added via surface slip-stitch for a neat tabby look. Clothing is removable: white crew-neck tee, buttoned honey cardigan, and pleated green skirt. Shoes are brown loafers worked onto the feet. Accessories: charcoal beret, lettered tote, scanner, order notebook, tea cup with tag, PAID stamp, and a stack of three tiny books.

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Cat – Base Doll (MC unless noted)

Head

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc)×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc)×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc)×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc)×6 (36)
   7–10) sc around (36)
7. (5 sc, inc)×6 (42)
   12–13) sc around (42). Insert eyes between rnds 11–12, 8–9 sts apart.
8. (5 sc, dec)×6 (36)
9. (4 sc, dec)×6 (30) — begin stuffing firmly; plump cheeks.
10. (3 sc, dec)×6 (24)
11. (2 sc, dec)×6 (18)
12. (sc, dec)×6 (12)
13. dec around (6); fo and close.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Muzzle/Whisker Pad (C)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc (12)
3. (sc, inc)×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc)×6 (24)
5. sc around (24); fo with long tail. Lightly stuff; sew centered low on face. Embroider a small pink oval nose at the top edge and a short vertical mouth. Add 2–3 whisker stitches per side if you like.

Ears (make 2)

Inner (C): MR 6; (sc, inc)×3 (9); (2 sc, inc)×3 (12); fo.
Outer (MC): MR 6; (sc, inc)×3 (9); (2 sc, inc)×3 (12); (3 sc, inc)×3 (15); sc 1 rnd (15).
Layer inner on outer and whip stitch. With B, surface sl st around rim for a dark edge. Pinch base slightly; sew to head with a mild forward tilt.

Body

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc (12)
3. (sc, inc)×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc)×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc)×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc)×6 (36)
   7–9) sc around (36)
7. (4 sc, dec)×6 (30)
8. (3 sc, dec)×6 (24)
   12–13) sc around (24) — neck round. Fo with long tail; stuff firmly.

Arms (make 2)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. (sc, inc)×3 (9)
   3–6) sc around (9)
3. (2 sc, inc)×3 (12)
   8–10) sc around (12)
4. (2 sc, dec)×3 (9)
   12–16) sc around (9). Stuff the hand lightly only. Flatten last rnd; sc through both layers 4–5 sts to close. Leave long tails.

Legs & Feet (make 2)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc (12)
3. (sc, inc)×6 (18)
4. sc around (18)
5. sc 5, (dec, sc)×3, sc 2 (15)
6. sc 4, dec×3, sc 5 (12)
7. sc around (12) — stuff foot firmly.
8. (3 sc, inc)×3 (15)
   9–12) sc around (15) — stuff leg moderately; fo long tails.

Tail

1. MR 6 (6)
   2–10) sc around (6); fo, lightly stuff.

Tabby Stripes (B)

With B, surface sl st: two soft brow lines, two cheek dashes per side, 2–3 rings around tail, and one short stripe on the outer side of each limb. Keep lines thin and curved.

Assembly (Base)

Sew ears on head; attach head to body. Stitch arms at shoulder level so hands fall near skirt waist. Sew legs under body so feet point straight forward. Attach tail at center back.

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Clothing

Classic White Tee (E; 3.25–3.5 mm)

Simple crew neck, short sleeves.

Body (in the round)

1. Ch 60; join (60).
2. Rnd 1: sc around (60).
3. Rnd 2: BLO sc around (60) for a hem ridge.
   4–6) sc around (60).
4. Armholes: sc 7, ch 4 (sk 6), sc 20, ch 4 (sk 6), sc 7 (44).
   8–10) sc around (44). Fo.

Sleeves (pick up 12 sts around each armhole)
Rnds 1–3: sc around (12).
Rnd 4: sl st loosely around for a clean hem; fo.

Neckband
Join at back neck; sc evenly around (≈40). Next rnd FLO hdc around for a slight rib. Fo.

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Honey Cardigan (D; 3.25–3.5 mm)

Boxy fit, hip length; three buttons/bobbles; V-neck shaping.

Back

1. Ch 36; Row 1 sc 35.
   2–22) sc rows (35). Fo.

Left Front

1. Ch 22; Row 1 sc 21.
   2–10) sc rows (21).
2. Begin V: sc 18, dec, sc 1 (20).
   12–18) On neck edge, dec 1 st every row until 14 sts remain; maintain straight side seam. Fo.

Right Front
Work as left front mirrored.

Shoulders & Side Seams
Sew shoulders (4–5 sts each). Seam sides from hem up 16 rows, leaving armholes.

Sleeves (worked onto armholes)
Pick up 26 sc evenly.
Rnds 1–5: sc around (26).
Rnd 6: (sc, dec)×6 + sc 2 (20).
Rnd 7: FLO hdc around for a gentle cuff; fo.

Front Bands & V-Neck
Left band: attach yarn at hem; work 2 rows sc up the front edge and around the V to the back neck; fo.
Right band: repeat, but on Row 2 add three button bobbles (or sew tiny buttons later): work [sc 6, (yo, pull through, yo, pull through, pull through 3 loops for small bobble)], spacing 1 at chest, 1 at mid-torso, 1 near hem.
Collar roll: across the back neck and V edge, work FLO hdc to create a subtle shawl curl.

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Forest-Green Pleated Skirt (F; 3.25–3.5 mm)

Pleats are created with alternating BLO/FLO ridges.

Waistband

1. Ch 60; join (60).
2. Rnd 1: sc around (60).
3. Rnd 2: (FLO sc 3, BLO sc 3) repeat around (60).

Skirt Body
4–11) Repeat Rnd 2 to build vertical pleats.
12) Hem: sc around (60) then sl st around one more round for a crisp edge; fo.
Skirt sits high at the waist, hitting knee level.

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Polished Brown Loafers (G; worked on feet)

Sole Trim

• With darker brown, surface sl st a line around foot rnd 3.

Upper

1. Join G at outer side of foot rnd 7; sc 10 across toe (10).
2. Turn; sc 10.
3. Turn; dec, sc 6, dec (8).
4. Turn; sc 8; fo.

Saddle/Vamp Strap

• Attach yarn at one side of upper; ch 6–7, sl st to the other side forming a band. Embroider a tiny vertical stitch at center to mimic a penny-loafer slot. Add a dot of cream at the toe as a “shine” if desired.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Headwear

Charcoal Beret (H; 3.0 mm)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc)×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc)×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc)×6 (30)
6. sc around (30)
7. (4 sc, dec)×6 (30) — slight taper
8. BLO sc around (30) for band
9. sc around (30); fo.
   Nub: ch 3; sl st back; sew to center top.

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Accessories

“Support Indie Bookshops” Tote (I with L lettering)

Body (flat panel)

1. Ch 26; Row 1 sc 25.
   2–18) sc rows to a rectangle (25 sts × 18 rows).
   Fold at Row 1 to create base; seam sides.

Rim & Handles

• Work 1 rnd sc around opening.
• Handles (make 2): ch 34; sl st back; sew ends to inside rim spaced evenly.

Lettering: With black (L), backstitch SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS across the front in two lines; keep letters blocky and small.

Barcode Scanner Prop (J + small L white)

Handle: ch 12; sc back (11) for 3 rows; fold and seam long edges to form a tube.
Head: MR 6 sc; inc to 12; sc 2 rnds; fo. Sew head to handle at an angle.
Cable (optional): ch 20 in J; sl st back; tack to tote.
Trigger: tiny chain loop in white on the handle side.

Order Notebook (I pages with K cover)

Pages (I): ch 14; sc 13 for 4 rows.
Cover (K, any color): ch 16; sc 15 for 5 rows; place pages inside; stitch down the center to bind. Embroider ORDERS on cover in black.

Tea Cup with Tag (J rim, I body, K tag)

Cup

1. With I, MR 6; inc (12); (sc, inc)×6 (18).
2. FLO sc around (18) to form the wall.
   3–4) sc around (18).
3. With J, sl st a thin rim.
   Handle: ch 6; sl st back; sew to cup side.
   Tea Bag Tag: ch 5 with K; sc 4 for 2 rows; embroider a tiny “🍵” or “TEA”; chain a short “string” to the rim.

PAID Stamp (I body, J pad, L letters)

Handle: ch 10 with I; sc back (9) for 4 rows; roll into a cylinder and sew.
Pad: With J, MR 6; inc (12); sc around; fo.
Sew handle to pad. With black, embroider PAID across the pad face.

Mini Book Stack (3 books)

For each book:

• Cover (K color of choice): ch 12; sc 11 for 6 rows; fo.
• Page block (I): ch 10; sc 9 for 5 rows; fo.
  Layer pages inside cover; stitch at spine. Add short title embroidery: Poems, Mystery, Classics. Stack and tack together.

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Dressing & Final Styling

1. Dress tee first, then pull on the skirt.
2. Put on the cardigan; close with bobbles or sew on 3 tiny snaps/buttons.
3. Fit loafers; tack the vamp band ends if needed.
4. Place beret slightly off-center; add a single hidden stitch to keep it secure.
5. Hang the tote on the left shoulder so lettering shows. Slip notebook and books inside, leaving corners peeking out.
6. Position scanner in the right hand (one tiny tack stitch).
7. Set tea cup on the table or stitch to the left hand; let the tag dangle.
8. Prop the PAID stamp near the books for a cozy counter vibe.

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Finishing & Customization

• Stripe density: Add more or fewer tabby lines; keep cheeks open for a friendly face.
• Cardigan length: Add two rows to fronts and back for a longer hem; keep sleeve pickup count the same.
• Pleats: For crisper pleats, block lightly and reinforce the BLO/FLO ridges with a gentle steam (no stretching).
• Loafer polish: Surface stitch a fine lighter-brown line around the sole as welt/foxing.
• Tote variations: Swap slogan (e.g., “Read Local”); keep the two-line layout for readability.
• Safety: Omit snaps/wire for young children; embroider eyes instead of safety eyes if gifting to under-threes.

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Pattern Recap

• Doll: Warm-sand tabby cat with cream muzzle/inner ears, taupe stripes, 9 mm eyes, and a slim tail.
• Outfit: White crew-neck tee, honey cardigan with three buttons, forest-green pleated skirt, and brown loafers.
• Headwear: Charcoal beret.
• Props: Slogan tote, barcode scanner, order notebook, tea cup with tag, PAID stamp, and a stack of three mini books.

Your Indie Bookshop Keeper Cat is ready to open the till and recommend cozy reads—perfect for photos on a wooden table by a sunny sofa with that soft pastel, handmade texture shining through. Enjoy your make!