Disclaimer: This pattern is one I have purchased (or used) for my own benefit.  I have not been financially compensated by the designer to write this review. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my own experiences of using the book / pattern.

If you like crochet and amigurumi then chances are that you have come across this pattern at some point and may even have made one of these fabulous little kitties! 

I have a lovely Japanese sister-in-law so I did know that ‘neko‘ means cat in Japanese and an Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small cute stuffed animals… so ‘Amineko’ is a shortened version for amigurumi cat and they don’t come much cuter than this little fellow I think.

I’ve had this pattern saved for ages! But it wasn’t until my daughters school sent out the request for tombola items for their summer fete that I finally decided I had to give it a go.

So without further ado here is my finished kitty…

He can sit, kneel, and just chill out…

I love how pose-able these little cats are…

And then it was time for him to go off to the tombola…

The pattern for Amineko is a free on Ravelry: Amineko Crocheted Cat by Nekoyama.

I used the diagram on the linked website to create my kitty and found that it was simple enough to follow though the mouth section gave me pause – until I realised it’s worked as a solid flattened oval that you turn on it’s side.

I would say that it’s an easy enough pattern for beginners to have a go at as you only use one stitch; UK double crochet / US single crochet. For this reason it doesn’t take too long to make up a cat, I think I had mine finished within a few evenings.

I made my kitty using Stylecraft Special Double Knit (8ply yarn) in Denim and White rather than fingering (4ply yarn) using a 3.75mm / US size F hook. I was still surprised that my cat seemed to come out quite large in the end – I would say at least 8 inches (20.3cm) sitting down. That said you can easily make up a kitty with one ball of yarn or I think a cat would look equally fun with different colour head, body, arms and legs which makes the pattern a great little stash buster for oddments.

Such a fun pattern to make and I loved how my Amineko turned out in the end – I’m sure I will make more of these cats in the future.

Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx