Onni the Beckoning Cat (Maneki Neko) amigurumi pattern
Here’s an amigurumi pattern for a little Japanese Beckoning Cat, or Maneki Neko. These little cats welcome customers and are thought to bring good luck. “Onni” is a Finnish word/name meaning “luck.” I tried to simplify the design and add some kawaiiness, hope it was successful. :3
Size: 3.5” (9cm) tall
Notes: End each piece with a slip stitch and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff evenly, but take care not to overstuff the body; you’ll want the bottom to be flat so the amigurumi will sit level.
Materials needed
Worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart)
3.75 mm (F) crochet hook
Stuffing
Plastic pellets
Felt
Fabric glue
Embroidery floss
6 mm safety eyes
Head
Rnd 1 – 5 sc into magic ring (5 sts)
Rnd 2 – 2 sc into each st around (10 sts)
Rnd 3 – [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] rep around (15 sts)
Rnd 4 – [2 sc in next st, 2 sc] rep around (20 sts)
Rnd 5 – [2 sc in next st, 3 sc] rep around (25 sts)
Rnd 6-8 – sc around (25 sts)
Rnd 9 – [sc2tog, 3 sc] rep around (20 sts)
Rnd 10 – [sc2tog, 2 sc] rep around (15 sts)
Body
Rnd 1 – 5 sc into magic ring (5 sts)
Rnd 2 – 2 sc into each st around (10 sts)
Rnd 3 – [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] rep around (15 sts)
Rnd 4 – [2 sc in next st, 2 sc] rep around (20 sts)
Rnd 5 – [2 sc in next st, 3 sc] rep around (25 sts)
Rnd 6 – [2 sc in next st, 4 sc] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 7-9 – sc around (30 sts)
Rnd 10 – [sc2tog, 4 sc] rep around (25 sts)
Rnd 11 – [sc2tog, 3 sc] rep around (20 sts)
Rnd 12 – [sc2tog, 2 sc] rep around (15 sts)
Ears
Rnd 1 — 4 sc into magic ring (4 sts)
Rnd 2 — [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] rep around (6 sts)
Rnd 3 — [2 sc in next st, 2 sc] rep around (8 sts)
Paw and tail
Rnd 1 – 6 sc into magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2-3 – sc around (6 sts)
Attach eyes and embroider face on head, then stuff. Put plastic pellets in the bottom of the body for stability, then add stuffing (don’t overstuff). Use your fingers to shape the bottom so it sits flat. Sew body and head together. Sew on ears, paw, and tail. Cut felt shapes for collar, spots, and inner ears; attach with glue.
© 2011 Nimoe
This pattern is written by Nimoe and is for personal (nonprofit) use only. Please do not repost or distribute it. Thank you!
Nimoe's Blog 
cabled replied:
This is so cute!
February 19, 2011 at 8:37 am. Permalink.
viola33 replied:
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I was searching around for free and easy Maneki Neko pattern and found it only here.
April 1, 2011 at 3:00 am. Permalink.
Nimoe replied:
Thank you! :3
April 1, 2011 at 9:14 pm. Permalink.
Lina (@sleepyinzomniac) replied:
Thank you so so much for this pattern! It’s amazing and so easy to follow. I couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was, and the result was a beautiful, yet adorable amigurumi. It’s gonna be a birthday gift, and I really hope the birthday girl loves it as much as I do :D
September 22, 2011 at 1:05 am. Permalink.
Barb Curtiss replied:
I am very excited about this pattern! It is going to make an awesome Christmas gift for a friend of mine! I can’t wait to get started! Thank you so much for this pattern!!!
November 26, 2011 at 8:29 pm. Permalink.
Nimoe replied:
Thank you, Barb! You’re welcome. :)
November 27, 2011 at 11:01 pm. Permalink.
plouf_le_loup replied:
Thanks !!!! =^.^=
July 15, 2012 at 6:51 am. Permalink.
Susan replied:
I hope you do not mind, I posted this to Pinterest so I can find it again to make for my daughters birthday party as party favors for her guests. She is going to LOVE this!! You are so talented to come up with this pattern!
August 30, 2012 at 1:40 pm. Permalink.
Indah replied:
Yay, seeing all your amirugumis, they are sooo great.
Thank you for the patterns.
October 28, 2012 at 4:40 am. Permalink.
megan replied:
This is so cute, I added it to the directory of free patterns at crochetatplay.com
You’ll find it in the cats section as well as recently added. If there are other patterns you would like to submit you can do so right on the main page.
Megan
December 22, 2012 at 11:33 am. Permalink.
http://tinyurl.com/atrefeigh34234 replied:
This is certainly the third blog, of your website I personally read through.
Nonetheless I personally like this specific one, “Onni the Beckoning Cat (Maneki Neko) amigurumi pattern Nimoes
Blog” the most. Thanks -Amos
January 22, 2013 at 4:02 pm. Permalink.
Julia @ FaveCrafts replied:
Hi there, What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of cat crafts! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/cat-crafts/
Have a great day!
August 1, 2013 at 2:14 pm. Permalink.
Karen Johnson replied:
Oh, Wow, I am so excited. I love Maneki Neko and have only a very tiny one in bottle I got in Hawaii many years ago. This is wonderful. I have all the supplies here except the coin and am starting as soon as I stop writing this. Thank you so much for sharing this fun, adorable and iconic pattern with all of us. :-3. p.s. my cat’s name is Moosie….hence my screen name.
August 11, 2013 at 1:43 pm. Permalink.
Sue Ann Stanworth replied:
can’t seem to print this pattern off
August 4, 2015 at 9:02 am. Permalink.
theyarningsheep replied:
Hi Nimoe! So while searching “Lunar New Year Crochet” on Pinterest, they brought me to your Maneki Keko! I thought it was so cute and decided to make one! I am working on the pattern right now, but once finished, may I please post it on my blog and link it to you? Please&Thank You!
February 3, 2016 at 12:39 pm. Permalink.
Karen replied:
Hi. I love your pattern. It is my first amigurumi. Im not sure what the circle on the collar is made of. Is it a coin? Or a felt circle? Thank you
January 2, 2019 at 1:12 am. Permalink.
Arti replied:
i shall try it and share the picture with you
July 1, 2019 at 11:58 pm. Permalink.