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I’ve been trying hard to ignore the current situation, but that’s a hard task to accomplish. So, I decided I would use my talents to attempt to help in some small way. For me, that was to design three free crochet patterns for cute mask mates. These projects work up quickly and are ear savers for those required to wear face masks continuously.

My first released pattern was for a ruffled band mask mate. It uses front post double crochet and a little bit of ruffle to add flair to the standard band ear savers. Then I decided to go way outside the box with this cat mask mate free crochet pattern. It utilizes the button eyes to attach the elastic straps in a fun and funky way. I thought these might be especially popular with our animal healthcare workers or anyone who loves cats and originality.

I hope my mask mate free crochet patterns can help you or someone you love to stay safe and healthy!

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Video Tutorial Available!

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Materials for Cat Mask Mate

DK Weight Yarn – Less than 20 yards (18.3 m). Choose a durable yarn that can be washed repeatedly with no issues. Other weights can be used, but keep in mind the finished size will adjust based on your choices. My grey cat was made with King Cole Big Value DK in Platinum and my brown cat was made with King Cole Cottonsoft in Fudge.

Crochet Hook – G-6 (4.00 mm) for DK yarn. Use the hook size on your yarn label if you use a different weight or adjust based on how you crochet (tight, loose, etc.).

Scissors.

2 Buttons. I used 5/8″, but you should be okay to use anywhere from 3/8″ to 1″.

Small piece of felt for the nose.

Small amount (<30″) of embroidery floss to attach the nose and embroider the mouth.

Notes for Cat Mask Mate

Gauge

Gauge will be dependent on the yarn and hook you are using and not critical to this project. Using DK yarn and G-6 crochet hook, my grey cat is 3.75″ in diameter and brown cat is 4″ in diameter. The one major issue I would worry about with a larger cat would be the ears drooping.

Special Stitches

dc2tog: [YO, insert hook into next st, YO, pull lp through, YO, pull through 2 lps] x2, YO, pull through all 3 lps on hook.

dc3tog: [YO, insert hook into next st, YO, pull lp through, YO, pull through 2 lps] x3, YO, pull through all 4 lps on hook.

Special Notes

When crocheting, I use invisible starting stitches, including an invisible starting dc2tog and dc3tog, and a standing dc rather than substituting chains for those stitches. To watch my tutorials on these stitches, go to the Crochet Basics playlist on my YouTube channel.

Cat Mask Mate Free Crochet Pattern

Head

Set-Up: 6sc in a magic circle, sl st in first st to join.

Round 1: 3dc in first st, [2dc next st, 3dc in next st] x2, 2dc in next st, sl st in first st to join (15 sts).

Round 2: 2dc in each st around, sl st to first st to join (30 sts).

Round 3: 2dc in first st, [dc in next st, 2dc in next st] x14, dc in next st, sl st in first st to join (45 sts).

Round 4: 2dc in first st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st] x14, dc in next 2 sts, sl st in first st to join (60 sts).

The head is complete, but do not cut a tail and finish off. You will continue from this point working in rows for the first ear.

First Ear

Row 1: dc2tog, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, dc2tog, T (8 sts).

Row 2: [dc2tog, dc in next st] x2, dc2tog, T (5 sts).

Row 3: dc2tog, dc in next st, dc2tog, T (3 sts).

Row 4: dc3tog (1 st). Cut tail and work in end.

Second Ear

With right side facing you, begin working the second ear in the fifth st to the left of the last st of row 1 of the first ear.

Work the second ear the same as the first ear.

Finishing

Weave in your ends. Using the photos for reference, sew on your button eyes. Use three strands of black embroidery floss to embroider a mouth. Cut a small triangle out of felt for the nose and attach with three strands of embroidery floss in a matching color.

I love to see what people create from my patterns! If you make this project, please share your photos on the pattern page in Ravelry tag @SeeMelissaCraft on Facebook, post in the comments below, or email to melissa@melissaseemelissacraft-com. I can’t wait to see your adaptation!

Patterns and images are the intellectual property of Uniquely Melissa. Please feel free to share this pattern and sell products made with this pattern provided you credit Uniquely Melissa as the designer and include a link to the pattern at SeeMelissaCraft.com. If you need pattern assistance, please comment below or email help@seemelissacraft.com.