If you love cats and crochet, the Cats Afghan is the perfect project to combine both passions. Designed by Sandra Miller Maxfield and originally featured in Hooked On Crochet Magazine No. 66 (1997), this afghan is a colorful, cozy piece that celebrates our feline friends in yarn form.
This blanket uses simple stitches chain, double crochet, and slip stitch making it accessible even for intermediate crocheters who enjoy following a color graph. With its playful palette of purples, greens, reds, and pinks set against a black background, the design comes alive like a row of artistic cats sitting side by side.
📏 Size
Finished measurements: 50½” x 54″ (not including fringe)
🧶 Materials
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Worsted-weight yarn
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18 oz black
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15 oz each of green, purple, red, and pink
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Crochet hook: Size I (or size needed to obtain gauge)
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Gauge: 3 dc = 1″; 7 dc rows = 4″
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Yarn used in original: Red Heart® “Jeweltones” by Coats & Clark
Skill level: ★★ Average (Intermediate)
🪡 Stitches Used
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Chain (ch)
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Double crochet (dc)
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Slip stitch (sl st)
🧵 Instructions
Row 1:
With black yarn, chain 166. Double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (164 dc)
Each square on the color graph equals 2 double crochets.
Always drop yarn to the wrong side when changing colors. Use a separate skein or ball for each color section to keep your work neat.
Do not carry yarn across sections. Fasten off each color at the end of its section.
Row 2:
Chain 3, dc in next stitch; following the color change graph, crochet as follows:
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2 dc black → change to green
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16 dc green → change to purple
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12 dc purple → change to black
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30 dc black → change to red
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16 dc red → change to black
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4 dc black → repeat pattern across row.
Work until the end of the row, dc in last 2 stitches. Turn.
Rows 3–24:
Chain 3, dc in next stitch. Working across the graph twice, continue changing colors according to the chart. End with dc in each of last 2 stitches, turn.
Rows 25–93:
Repeat Rows 2–24 consecutively, following the color pattern from the gra
Row 94:
With black yarn only, chain 3 and double crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off.
✂️ Fringe
Cut 4 strands of black yarn, each 21″ long.
Hold all 4 together and fold in half. Insert hook into the edge stitch, pull the fold through, then draw the loose ends through the loop. Tighten and trim neatly.
Add fringe in every other stitch on each short end of the afghan.
🎨 Color Legend
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■ Black
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■ Purple
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■ Red
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■ Pink
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■ Green
Each square on the graph = 2 double crochets.
💡 Tips & Inspiration
This afghan looks stunning draped over a sofa or as a statement throw in a cat lover’s home. You can personalize it by swapping the colors—try gray cats on a cream background or pastel tones for a softer look.
For pet owners, it’s a wonderful handmade gift that will surely delight anyone who adores their cats as much as their crochet hooks!
📥 Free PDF Pattern
At the end of this article, you’ll find the free PDF download of the Cats Afghan Pattern, including the color-change graph to help you bring these playful cats to life.
Designer: Sandra Miller Maxfield
Original Source: Hooked On Crochet Magazine, No. 66, Page 18
Copyright © 1997 Hooked On Crochet Magazine
