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Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern
4.6★ Rating
6-8 Hours Time Needed
3.0K Made This
✂️

Beginner Friendly Level

Perfect for those just starting their sewing journey, with clear instructions and simple techniques

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐱

Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern

This adorable Jiji pattern brings the beloved Studio Ghibli character to life in soft, huggable form. Standing at 10 inches tall, this black cat features all of Jiji's distinctive characteristics including his alert triangular ears, large expressive eyes, and long elegant tail. The pattern uses simple single crochet techniques worked in continuous rounds, making it accessible for beginners while still creating a detailed and recognizable character.

Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Originally inspired by Christine Wang's free pattern and modified with permission, this version captures Jiji's iconic look from Kiki's Delivery Service. The finished cat makes a perfect gift for anime fans or anyone who loves cats.

Why You'll Love This Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines my passion for Studio Ghibli with the joy of creating something truly special. Working with the simple black yarn transforms into something magical as Jiji's personality emerges with each stitch. The satisfaction of seeing those distinctive ears take shape and watching the character come to life is incredibly rewarding. Plus, there's something so therapeutic about working in continuous rounds while thinking about the whimsical world of Kiki's Delivery Service.

Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how versatile this Jiji pattern can be with just a few creative modifications! While the classic black Jiji is iconic, you could experiment with different colors to create your own unique cat companion. Try making a gray version for a more realistic look, or go bold with deep purple or navy blue for a mystical twist.

For added personality, consider varying the eye placement slightly - positioning them a bit further apart creates a more relaxed expression, while closer placement makes Jiji look more alert and mischievous. You could also experiment with different ear positions; slightly angled ears give him a more playful appearance.

I've found that adding small details can make a huge difference too. Try embroidering tiny white highlights in the eyes using French knots, or add a small collar with a tiny bell for extra charm. Some crafters even add a small red bow like Jiji wears in some scenes from the movie.

The tail offers another opportunity for creativity - you could make it slightly curved by inserting a thin wire armature, allowing you to pose Jiji in different positions. Just remember to cap the wire ends safely if children will be playing with the finished toy.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to use stitch markers can cause you to lose track of rounds and create uneven shaping ✗ Not stuffing the head and body firmly enough will result in a floppy, shapeless cat ✗ Placing the ears too far apart makes Jiji look less alert and characteristic ✗ Skipping the back loops only instruction in round 39 will affect the body shaping significantly

Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern

Bring Studio Ghibli's beloved black cat to life with this charming Jiji amigurumi pattern from Kiki's Delivery Service. This 10-inch tall feline friend captures all the magic and personality of Hayao Miyazaki's iconic character. Perfect for anime lovers and cat enthusiasts alike, this pattern creates a cuddly companion that will bring joy to any home. The detailed instructions guide you through creating Jiji's distinctive features, from his alert pointed ears to his long graceful tail, making this a memorable project for crocheters of all skill levels.

Beginner Friendly 6-8 Hours

Materials Needed for Jiji the Cat Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Black worsted weight yarn (Caron One Pound recommended)
  • 02
    Small amount of pink yarn for nose embroidery

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size G (4mm)
  • 02
    White felt for eyes
  • 03
    Black felt for eye pupils
  • 04
    White thread for sewing eyes
  • 05
    Black thread for eye details
  • 06
    Polyester stuffing
  • 07
    Tapestry needle
  • 08
    Embroidery needle
  • 09
    Stitch marker
  • 10
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— HEAD/BODY :

Starting :

Ch 2, work 8 sc into first ch

Round 1 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 4 times - 12 sc

Round 2 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 6 times - 18 sc

Round 3 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 27 sc

Round 4 :

*Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 36 sc

Round 5 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 45 sc

Round 6-7 :

Sc in each sc around - 45 sc

Round 8 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 54 sc

Round 9 :

Sc in each sc around - 54 sc

Round 10 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 45 sc

Round 11 :

Sc in each sc around - 45 sc

Round 12 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 36 sc

Round 13 :

*Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 27 sc

Round 14 :

*Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 18 sc

Round 15-16 :

Sc in each sc around - 18 sc

Info :

Stuff head and continue

Round 17 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 27 sc

Round 18 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 3 times; *sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 32 sc

Round 19-20 :

Sc in each sc around - 32 sc

Round 21 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 8 times - 40 sc

Round 22-23 :

Sc in each sc around - 40 sc

Round 24 :

*Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 5 times - 45 sc

Round 25-30 :

Sc in each sc around - 45 sc

Round 31 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 54 sc

Round 32 :

*Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 9 times - 63 sc

Round 33-38 :

Sc in each sc around - 63 sc

Round 39 :

Working in back loops only, *sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 54 sc

Round 40 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 45 sc

Round 41 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 36 sc

Round 42 :

*Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 27 sc

Round 43 :

*Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 9 times - 18 sc

Info :

Stuff body and continue

Round 44 :

*Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 6 times - 12 sc

Round 45 :

*Sc2tog* repeat 6 times - 6 sc

Finishing :

Slip st into first st. Fasten off

— EARS (make 2) :

Starting :

Ch 2, work 4 sc into first ch

Round 1 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 6 sc

Round 2 :

*Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 8 sc

Round 3 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 10 sc

Round 4 :

*Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 12 sc

Round 5 :

Sc in each sc around - 12 sc

Round 6 :

*Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 14 sc

Round 7 :

Sc in each sc around - 14 sc

Round 8 :

*Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 16 sc

Round 9 :

Sc in each sc around - 16 sc

Round 10 :

*Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 2 times - 18 sc

Round 11 :

Sc in each sc around - 18 sc

Finishing :

Slip st into first st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing

— PAWS/LEGS (make 2) :

Starting :

Ch 2, work 6 sc into first ch

Round 1 :

*2 sc in next sc* repeat 6 times - 12 sc

Round 2 :

*Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 3 times - 15 sc

Round 3-4 :

Sc in each sc around - 15 sc

Round 5 :

*Sc in next sc, sc2tog* repeat 5 times - 10 sc

Info :

Stuff the paw

Round 6-13 :

Sc in each sc around - 10 sc

Row 14 :

Flatten the leg (rnds 6-13), ch 1, and 5 sc across the top of the flattened hole, thus sealing the hole

Row 15 :

Ch 1, turn, 5 sc in each sc across

Finishing :

Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing the length of the leg onto the body

— TAIL :

Starting :

Ch 2, work 8 sc into first ch

Round 1 :

*Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 4 times - 12 sc

Round 2-31 :

Sc in each sc around; lightly stuff tail along the way - 12 sc

Finishing :

Slip st into first st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing

— EYES (make 2) :

Instructions :

Cut out a large circle from the white felt. Cut out a small oval from the black felt. Use the black thread to lightly sew the black oval onto a white circle, using the running stitch

Assembly Instructions

  • Flatten the ears so they look like triangles and slightly curve each ear forward in one direction
  • Sew each ear to the top of the head with black yarn, placing them close together for an alert expression
  • Sew the tail to the base of the body with black yarn using secure stitches
  • Bend the paws so they are perpendicular to the legs and use whip stitch with black yarn to keep them bent
  • Sew the legs to the front of the body, positioning them for a natural sitting pose
  • Sew the eyes to the face with white thread using running stitch for secure attachment
  • Embroider a small pink nose using two running stitches, one above the other

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in continuous rounds without joining or turning unless specifically instructed
  • 💡Use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each round and move them up as you complete each round
  • 💡Pull the starting tail tight after each 'ch 2, work _ sc into first ch' to close the hole completely
  • 💡Stuff the head and body firmly but not too tightly to maintain proper shape
  • 💡Position ears close together on top of the head for Jiji's characteristic alert expression
  • 💡Lightly stuff the tail as you work to prevent it from becoming too stiff or heavy

This enchanting Jiji pattern captures the essence of Studio Ghibli's most beloved feline companion from Kiki's Delivery Service. With simple techniques and clear instructions, you'll create a 10-inch tall black cat that embodies all of Jiji's charm and personality. The pattern guides you through every detail, from his alert triangular ears to his graceful long tail, making this a truly rewarding project. Whether you're a Miyazaki fan or simply love cats, this amigurumi will bring magic and warmth to any home. Happy crocheting, and may your Jiji bring you as much joy as he brought to Kiki! 🐱✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will my finished Jiji be?

The finished Jiji measures approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall when made with the specified materials and hook size.

Can I use a different yarn weight for this pattern?

While worsted weight yarn is recommended, you can use different weights but your finished size will vary. Remember to adjust your hook size accordingly.

How do I make Jiji's eyes look authentic?

Cut large white felt circles and small black felt ovals. Position the black ovals slightly off-center on the white circles and sew with running stitch for the most authentic look.

Why does the pattern say to work in continuous rounds?

Working in continuous rounds creates a smoother, more professional finish without visible seam lines, which is especially important for amigurumi projects.

Can I add whiskers to my Jiji?

Yes! You can add whiskers using black thread, yarn, or even thin wire if the toy won't be handled by small children.